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There’s no slowing down the growth in Milton. It’s the fastest growing community in Canada, with as population that’s more than tripled in the last 15 years. Now, the town of Milton is heading for a record setting year when it comes to non-residential growth. The town says this year it’ll see 2.5 million square feet of non residential growth. That’s more than triple its annual target. Because of that Milton is seeing big benefits when it comes to tax revenue.
Over the last few years there’ve been a lot of office buildings going up in Milton. “They are filled reasonably quick” says Mayor Gordon Krantz. “That tells you certainly the investors have a great deal of confidence on what’s happening here in Milton and Halton region.”
And there is definitely lots happening. In the 1950’s fewer than 3, 000 people lived here, and it’s downtown Main Street was a dirt road. Today, it’s busy and booming. And it’s this type of business development that keeps the town successful. “Its a huge contribution to the tax rolls of the town of Milton.”
For example, a 400-thousand square foot building puts $125, 000 a year in taxes in the town”s coffers. “That contributes to that bottom line in keeping our property taxes one of the lowest in the GTA.”
And, brings in more jobs. Development charges are quite a bit higher in Milton compared to other places in the GTA, but that hasn’t scared developers away. All around Milton there are signs of growth. Right now the population is just over 100, 000 but its expected to double within the next 15 years.
Once known as a ‘bedroom community’… that’s no longer the case. “Believe it or not, there are as many people who drive in to Milton to work as what drives out.” As the town grows, residents are feeling the growing pains. Rush hour traffic can be difficult and parking can be a problem at the GO station… issues the mayor says the town is working on. And when it comes to the fastest growing, and one of the youngest, communities in Canada – he has this message “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
The Target store was the largest building in Milton, and while some other cities have had trouble filling those buildings after Target pulled out of Canada, Milton’s mayor says Lowe’s has recently purchased the building and is moving in.
