Press Release - York Region marketing initiative identifies sustainable approach

Region encourages green practices while focusing on attracting green companies

NEWMARKET – York Regional Council has approved a new economic development marketing initiative that will promote the natural and cultural attributes of The Regional Municipality of York as part of a strategy to increase visibility as a unique and desirable location for business investment and tourism.

“We have created and maintained prosperous communities that enjoy a balance between economic vitality, quality of life and environmental sustainability,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “Through this initiative, we’re going to exhibit our achievements proudly to the world so we can build on them.”

The competition for new business investment in today’s global marketplace is about attracting educated innovators and skilled labour to our communities. Companies will relocate and expand in a community that offers a welcoming business climate in a competitive and prosperous economy with a high quality labour force and a diverse range of opportunities for social and educational upgrading.

“Our strategy recognizes the personal choices of senior executives as a key factor influencing site selection for investment,” said Town of Markham Regional Councillor Tony Wong, Chair of York Region’s Planning and Economic Development Committee. “We believe that respect for the environment results in healthy communities that are more economically sustainable.”
York Region’s Economic Development Marketing and Communications Initiative will:

1. Attract new investment opportunities from companies that are leaders in their industries and have demonstrated a commitment to the principles of environmental sustainability

2. Strengthen York Region’s cluster of more than 170 companies already involved in environmental businesses, which is one of the fastest-growing markets

3. Encourage existing York Region businesses to enhance their competitiveness through environmentally-sound business practices
York Region’s leadership in environmental stewardship includes a proud record of preserving and enhancing environmental quality and social diversity to help sustain its economic base. York Region has 69 per cent of its land designated as protected green space located in either the Greenbelt or Oak Ridges Moraine lands.

York Region continues to manage rapid growth. Over the next 25 years, York Region’s population will grow by about 550,000. The Region will need about 320,000 more jobs, generated through 63,000 more new business enterprises.

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca

Sports Report

NBA: Toronto 115 New York 92

AHL: Hamilton 3 Toronto 1

OHL: Brampton 6 Ottawa 1; Oshawa at Windsor, ppd.

OPJHL Playoffs: Aurora 5 Newmarket 1 (Aurora leads 2-1); Huntsville 5 Stouffville 3 (Series tied 1-1)

Tonight

NHL: Toronto at Ottawa; 7:30pm

NBA: Toronto at Indiana; 7:00pm

OPJHL Playoffs: Markham vs. Vaughan (Markham leads 1-0); 7:30pm, Centennial Arena

Program Schedule : Feb. 25, 2008

- The Gonzo Report; 12pm-1pm ET

Tune in! www.chevradioam.com

Click on the “Listen Live” link.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE: Feb. 22, 2008

Best of CHEV; 12:00am - 11:00am ET
- The Complainers; 11:00am - 12:00pm ET
- The Gonzo Report; 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
- Suburban Bass; 9:00pm - 11:00pm ET

Tune in! www.chevradioam.com

Click on the “Listen Live” link.

OPJHL Playoff Bracket

Round 2

Flite A - East
Wellington vs. Bommanville
Kingston vs. Port Hope

Flite B - South
St. Mike’s vs. Toronto
Vaughan vs. Markham

Flite C - North
Huntsville vs. Stouffville
Newmarket vs. Aurora

Flite D - West
Oakville vs. Milton
Georgetown vs. Brampton

Markham Waxers Playoff Schedule

Round 2

G1 - Feb. 23: at Vaughan, 8:00pm
G2 - Feb. 25: vs. Vaughan, 7:30pm
G3 - Feb. 27: at Vaughan, 7:15pm
G4 - Feb. 29: vs. Markham, 7:30pm
G5 - Mar. 1: at Vaughan, 8:00pm (If Necessary)
G6 - Mar. 3: vs. Vaughan, 7:30pm (If Necessary)
G7 - Mar. 5: at Vaughan, 7:15pm (If Necessary)

All home games will be played at the Centennial Arena.

Sports Report

NHL: Buffalo 5 Toronto 1

OHL: Saginaw 4 Brampton 1

OPJHL Playoffs: Newmarket 4 Aurora 3 (Newmarket leads 1-0)

York Region Athletics

Sr. Boys’ Basketball - Tier One - Final - Vaughan 65 (Nick Wiggins and Mitchell Wiggins, 20), Sacred Heart 51 (Scott Laws, 25); Tier Two Final — Unionville 59 (Michael Ifejika, 26), Brother Andre 51 (Neil Bryan, 21);

Jr. Boys’ Basketball — Tier One — Final — Brother Andre 55 ( Kameron Latouche, 21), Denison 50 (Kevin Pangos, 28); Tier Two — Final - Newmarket 66 (Ivan Morris, 24), Richmond Green 54 (Daniel Mong, 18);

Sr. Boys’ Hockey — Semifinal — Markham 2 (Kelly Lennon, Taylor Jones), Brother Andre 1 (Jason Deveng). Series tied 1-1;

Jr. Boys’ Hockey — Semifinal - St. Theresa of Lisieux 6 (Steven Iannuccilli, Nick Perruccio, James Ryan, Blake Vecchiato, Tyler Ferry, Adam Hewitt), Mulock 2 (Colin Woods, Troy McLaughlin);

Varsity Girls’ Hockey — Semifinal - Sacred Heart 0, Markham 0. Three-point series is tied 1-1.

Tonight

NBA: Toronto at New York; 7:30pm

OHL: Brampton at Plymouth, 7:05pm; Niagara vs. Mississauga, 7:30pm, Hershey Centre

OPJHL Playoffs: Stouffville at Huntsville, 7:30pm (Series tied 0-0); Newmarket at Aurora, 7:30pm (Newmarket leads 1-0)

With files from thestar.com