The Guelph Factor

I think Mayor Farbridge said it best in her speech during the launch of her campaign last month:

“We have much to be proud of. Sadly, a few people aren’t as proud of our city as we are. They spend their days – mostly on their computers – trying to tear down our city – to hurt our reputation any chance they get. Councillor Guthrie seems to be one of these people. He is telling everyone he can that Guelph is not a good place to do business. That is not right – and he knows it. He’s been at the table. He has seen the press releases. He’s attended the ribbon cuttings and the ground breakings. Councillor Guthrie is wrong.

Ask Würth Canada, Canadian Solar, Hitachi – just three companies that have brought millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs to Guelph. Ask the entrepreneurs who have already invested over $85 million in our downtown. Councillor Guthrie likes to talk about the Guelph Factor – a lot. Whose interests is he representing? Certainly not ours.

I say it is about time we reclaim the Guelph Factor from those who only want to irresponsibly harm the good name of Guelph. The Guelph Factor is what makes Guelph special. We’ve always known that. The Guelph Factor is why so many people want to move here and why so many of us would never consider living anywhere else. And no matter how many times Councillor Guthrie repeats it to damage our reputation, we know differently: you just can’t cut your way to a better city.

There is something special about Guelph – that’s why I fell in love with this city. We are one of the most caring, livable and safest cities in Canada. We have amazing arts and culture – like the Guelph Jazz Festival….

We have worked hard to build our city – a city with services, a wonderful sense of community and rich culture that are the envy of others – and we’ve done it while maintaining one of the best level of taxes for a city of our size in Ontario. That’s the Guelph Factor!

I can’t tell you how often I am asked – how do we do it? How do we accomplish so much in Guelph? My answer is simple: That’s the Guelph Factor!

People in Guelph are always ready to pitch in, to work together, to make things happen. They want more for Guelph. In contrast, Cam’s proposed cuts will mean less for Guelph – less for you and your family. I’m here to tell you that Guelph can be more – we don’t have to settle for less. Guelph can be more caring, more green and more prosperous”.

I attended the grand opening at the Würth facility in September of this year. I listened as Professor Reinhold Würth and his senior staff directed high praise towards the city’s Enterprise Department staff for their excellent and very professional interactions with Würth during the decision-making process and the building of their state-of-the-art facility in the Hanlon Creek Business Park. They also noted that Guelph’s reputation as an environmental leader, and its high quality of life, were key draws for the company.

I heard Canadian Solar CFO Carlos Fernandez say that they “Selected Guelph over several cities in Ontario because of its commitment towards energy and the environment, its long-term strategy with the Community Energy Initiative, its support from Community leaders such as Guelph Hydro, and its highly skilled employment base”. This company reversed the more common global trend to locate outside of North America, and instead a Chinese company built their facility right here in Guelph – and with it 400 jobs! When Hitachi decided to expand in Guelph, executive vice-president Bruce Murray also cited “a skilled labour market” and “the resident expertise” as reasons for their decision to remain in Guelph.

Owners and executives from three international companies can’t be wrong! There certainly IS a “Guelph Factor”, it is a huge positive for our city and it is what will continue to draw companies, businesses and jobs to Guelph!