Two newly minted and experienced presidents at the helm of the Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) and the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association (DSBIA) are intent on bolstering the transformation of Surrey’s city centre.
Bill Rempel, vice-president and general manager of Blackwood Partners Management Corp. and president of the DSBIA since February, is intent on promoting the economic development of the city’s downtown core and strengthening government relations.
Mary Jane Stenberg, new president of the SBOT, sees cultivating and securing top talent through education as key to the future success of the community.
Stenberg, a longtime educator who owned her own private post-secondary institution called Stenberg College for 15 years and who is currently the special adviser to the president on strategic initiatives at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, is intimately aware of the link between business and education.
“We have two major universities – Simon Fraser University’s Surrey campus and Kwantlen – and a lot of really bright, innovative grads coming out of both institutions,” she said.
“We want to encourage them to stay here, start their businesses here or work for existing business, and bring all that youth and energy and education to this region to help develop it and keep it going.”
In a classic chicken-and-egg scenario, Stenberg explains that, on the other hand, if there isn’t a vibrant business community, then there is no incentive for premier talent to stick around.
“You can’t look at one segment or the other; you have to look at education, social policy and business as a continuum; I think my background helps the board of trade do that,” said Stenberg.
As past president of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, Rempel believes that the issues facing Surrey are no different from those of any other metropolitan area.
However, when asked about the perception of Surrey as a sleeper community, Rempel is quick to note that the DSBIA is making great headway in addressing this notion.
Some key initiatives have been to organize media and real estate tours to Surrey along with visits to tradeshows and exhibitions to encourage growth and investment in the area.
Rempel admits, “Our immediate area is crying out for a new hotel, which I hope will be the next development in our downtown. In addition, there is a large demand for triple-A office space in downtown Surrey. The office tower at Central City is currently 100% leased, but GE Capital Real Estate has plans for additional office towers at Gateway Business Park.”
When speaking of the SBOT’s goals for the future, Stenberg agreed.
The establishment of an International Trade Centre facilitated by the board of trade will be instrumental in bringing more business to Surrey and creating more jobs.
The SBOT has signed memoranda of understanding with about 10 consulates to work with them on economic development.
Stenberg said, “We are looking for funding and talking to provincial and federal governments to help fund us so we can establish ourselves as a portal to encourage international partners to invest in Surrey and invest in some of our local companies.”
Realizing her time is fleeting with a one-year tenure as president, Stenberg says her most important role is keeping things on track at the SBOT.
“My personal goals are to really solidify relationships with the mayor and council, to promote their vision even more and to represent the views of our members in terms of the advocacy work we do to continue to go out and survey their needs and make sure that we address them.”
Rempel’s highest priority during his term as president?
“To ensure the business voice is heard as [the DSBIA] continues to contribute to the shaping of our evolving community. Decisions are being made today which will impact future generations and we have a great opportunity to be part of this process.”