All over Canada, rural communities in particular are beginning to see increased growth rates. As housing becomes less affordable in major cities, many people who find employment in these cities are seeking to relocate and commute, or else find new jobs in more affordable, less â€busy†centres. The community of Halton is a good example of a town that has benefited as far as growth rate from the â€urban pushâ€. The town experienced a rapid growth rate of 15% in the years between the 2001 and 2006 Canadian censuses. As a community, Halton Hills has undertaken to ensure that the beauty and geography are not compromised by growth in the future. In keeping with this commitment, municipal officials drew up a plan for Halton development, which included formulas for both residential and employment growth. In 2006, the provincial government of Ontario recognized officially the danger that urban sprawl posed to both green areas and agricultural areas with the Greenbelt and Places to Grow legislation it ushered in. This piece of legislation was to narrow the focus and put a very definite structure in place for towns such as Halton Hills. One of the major concerns of any community, of course, is that it has enough economic opportunity to keep citizens in the area and enjoying a good lifestyle. The Halton Hills growth and development plan is committed to keeping this a reality for both the town and the larger region as a whole. With forecasted numbers for employment reaching 650,000 jobs by 2021 in the district, and 29,400 in the community itself, Halton Hills received good numbers to work with on its development plan. One facet of the plan is the creation of an employment corridor within the Halton region. This area will be where the majority of jobs within the community and region are located; the land is set aside largely for the building of major sources of employment, both industrial and white collar. The corridor itself includes a large part of the Halton area as well as parts of the neighbouring Peel region. Halton Hills itself, along with Milton, are included in this corridor, and will receive the majority of the benefits of the development plan. This is in large part due to the fact that Oakville and Burlington, the other two communities in the Halton region of the Greater Golden Horseshoe, have already developed or planned their employment regions; therefore any future developments will occur within the Halton or Milton areas. The Employment Corridor of Halton Hills means that there will be plenty of room to accommodate new business in the community in the future. It also means that industry and business will be kept within certain areas, preserving green space and living space for generations to come.
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