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GSDC Annual Report Highlights Economic Development Initiatives

The City of Greater Sudbury advanced an impressive range of economic development initiatives last
year. The Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) 2020 Annual Report provides a synopsis of
funding approved by Council and the GSDC Board of Directors for projects that increase investment and
job creation in the community.

“As a member of the GSDC Board of Directors, it is a pleasure to serve with community volunteers who
have never wavered in their resolve to attract, develop and retain businesses through a very challenging
year,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “The annual report highlights important investments in
local projects that will take us beyond the upheavals of today to a brighter economic future tomorrow.”
Among a number of projects supported in 2020 was the Battery Electric Vehicle Laboratory (BEVL) with
the Centre for Smart Mining at Cambrian College. The GSDC, with unanimous support from Council,
approved financial support of $250,000 for a facility that is unlike any other in Canada. It provides a
unique opportunity for Greater Sudbury to attract and retain vehicle technology companies and
professionals who require specialized equipment.

“The pandemic has been a time of tremendous stress and challenge,” said GSDC Board Chair Lisa
Demmer. “Last year, the GSDC board reached out to key economic sectors, independent businesses, the
arts and professional associations in our community to help create a plan to mitigate the impacts felt
locally. The result was an Economic Recovery Strategic Plan launched earlier this year to address the
unique needs of Greater Sudbury.”

The GSDC Board also provided funding approved by Council through three economic incentives:
The Community Economic Development Fund (C.E.D.) targets not-for-profit entities and projects that
provide an economic benefit to the community. In 2020, the GSDC board approved $867,300 through
C.E.D. for eight local projects, leveraging an additional $6.2 million from public and private sources.
The Arts and Culture Grant program grows and develops this economic sector for a talented and
creative workforce. In 2020, the GSDC approved $571,000 to support ongoing operating costs of 39
organizations through the pandemic.

The City of Greater Sudbury’s Municipal Accommodation Tax supports the Tourism Development Fund
(TDF). At the end of 2020, the fund had received 12 inquiries to support creative and innovative projects
with six applications in process and one approved. Applications for the TDF are accepted on a
continuous basis.

Also poised to restart this year is the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program (RNIP). The City of
Greater Sudbury is one of 11 communities across the country to participate in the federal program to
attract and retain international workers. While response rates were impacted during the pandemic,
there are 54 recommendations to date this year to approve applications from candidates with an offer
of local employment.

More information about economic development initiatives and the complete 2020 GSDC Annual Report
are available at investsudbury.ca.

About the GSDC:

The Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) is the economic development arm of the City of
Greater Sudbury. Consisting of an 18-member board of directors and supported by City staff, the GSDC
acts as a catalyst for economic development initiatives and supports the attraction, development and
retention of business in the community.

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