THE LOCALS
The Great City
THE COLLISION OF TALENT AND OPPORTUNIT Y by
Mayor Jeff Lehman | photos Jennifer Klementti
G
reat cities are characterized
sticks out in my mind is a young and fast-growing
by dynamic economies, where
tech firm, TygerShark, that was located in a
successful companies and
suburban location in an industrial area. Knowing
organizations are borne out of the
their employees liked the thriving food and
collision of talent and opportunity.
drink scene, live music, and culture of downtown
This is why attracting talent has become the
Barrie, they moved into space in the heart of the
economic talisman for cities across the globe. In
city. For them, challenges like parking and older
my ten years as an elected official in Barrie, we
buildings were more than offset by the benefit they
have joined the search for the secret sauce: that
saw for the employees of being in such a vibrant
legendary but elusive alchemy that can take a town
environment. Longer workdays were easier to
or city not known as an engine of entrepreneurship
tolerate with places to socialize and interesting
and make it a powerhouse of innovation.
events in the area.
The argument has been well made that top
The impact of that food and drink scene is
talent is attracted to places that offer a fulfilling
hard to overstate. Busy people and takeout food
lifestyle. It’s often said that, in turn, a city should
go together like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck; and
ensure it offers all the necessary components of a
there’s a 6 block area of downtown Barrie that
fulfilling lifestyle.
teems with more than 60 independently owned
places to eat. If the way to a busy entrepreneur’s
And therein of course lies the challenge.
Everyone has a different idea of what fulfills them.
heart is through their stomach, downtown Barrie
For some it’s a party lifestyle; live music, nightlife,
is an easy place to love. Canada is a country where
a thriving restaurant scene is key. For others it’s
climate and related suburban growth patterns can
recreation — being Canadians that can mean lots of
suppress socializing and the vibrancy of public
snow as well as lots of sun. Sports, professional and
places. But where we get it right — those teeming
amateur can be a tie that binds. And for others it’s a
cauldrons of food, drink, entertainments, and
more quiet beauty — waterfront parks, quiet cafés,
comfort, from George Street in St. John’s to Main
or just proximity to friends, family, or institutions.
Street in Vancouver — we are actually building
places for socializing and for the economy. >
Barrie’s entrepreneurs would likely give you
one or more of the above as an answer. One that
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