City council and community stakeholders are working on developing a brand for London and identifying what sets it apart from cities with a similar economic makeup.
The city's politicians and business leaders met with a consultant on Wednesday afternoon to discuss five community priorities.
The goal is to create a city for entrepreneurs, a supportive business environment, an exceptional downtown with a vibrant urban environment, a top quality workforce and a "National Centre of Excellence for medical innovation and commercialization."
"We need to find the key areas that make London distinct, that allow us to differentiate ourselves from other areas and other municipalities across the country so we can really drive our economy forward," says Mayor Matt Brown, who notes there are two main areas of focus. "Medical innovation is one, digital innovation is the other."
Some at the meeting were critical of the city's past government and how the controversy at city hall meant that London had missed out on provincial and federal initiatives. Others commented on how it was hard to brand a city that was on the rebound and has yet to find its niche.
All partners are now working on a final draft of London's Economic Road Map, which will be presented to council in the coming months.
