Chilliwack – He is well known for his music in the Valley and as the Executive Director for the BIA – Chilliwack Downtown Business Improvement Association.
Now, Trevor McDonald has his eyes on City Council.
He released his statement and updated website on September 4:
I love this city! I grew up here. Since 1977, I have called Chilliwack my home. I had many opportunities to leave but this place always felt like the place I should be. In the past 49 years I have gained a vast knowledge of this area, the people, the economic and physical ups and downs. The residential and commercial growth, the population has almost tripled. I have seen our downtown core at it’s worst and in the past few years…It’s absolute brightest!
Through all of these years, I have never lost the love for our city or my passion to keep it moving in a positive direction. I was self employed for over 25 years and in February of 2021, I was called to apply for the Executive Director position in Downtown Chilliwack. This…was a challenge. Pivoting from self employment to working with 400 + businesses, a board of directors and our city council and staff. The paradox of being a part of the biggest downtown revitalization in our cities history while working along side our many locally owned businesses to help revive our economy and our spirits, post covid…Challenge accepted!
The learning curve was steep but here we are, five years later, a vibrant, healthy downtown core fuelled by bold developers, filled with talented entrepreneurs, a steady flow of tourists, families and a downtown community thriving with new businesses. This was a bold team effort but everyone showed up at the table and got the work done. There is more to do with our downtown, core, expanding these efforts west on Wellington Avenue and East on Yale Road, new infrastructure work in motion along Main Street and many other smaller projects on the way throughout our downtown.
As Executive Director of the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association for the past 5.5 years, I have realized that the geographic area may be smaller, but many issues crossing my desk are very similar to issues facing city council. Business attraction and retention, public safety, development, infrastructure, beautification, tourism, homelessness, parking, transportation, public spaces, property owners, budgets and questions of how we nurture healthy growth while maintaining the charm of our community.
In this past five years, I have learned that economic development isn’t simply about bringing a new company to town. It’s about taking care of the businesses that have stood the test of time. It’s about communication, understanding what employers need, reducing barriers and creating a community where people want to invest.
I’ve learned the importance of working with our partners. Very little gets accomplished by one organization working alone. I have spent years working with City council & staff, Chilliwack Economic Partners, RCMP, Griffin security, Tourism Chilliwack, our businesses, developers, property owners, commercial agents and community organizations.
I have sat on many boards and committees including the Chilliwack Arts Council, Public Safety, Public Art. I have developed programs for our Downtown that work as pilot programs for our whole community.
I have worked with budgets and a board of directors, identifying priorities, getting the greatest value out of every dollar spent for our downtown businesses continued success.
I understand fully that City Council is a much bigger responsibility affecting the entire community. I also see a seat in City Council as a logical next step using the experience gained and the relationships I have built in our historic downtown to benefit our whole community.
To my friends and voters in Rosedale, Greendale, Yarrow, Promontory, Ryder Lake, Vedder, Sardis and of course, the Northside where I live… If, I am fortunate enough to earn your vote this October…Challenge accepted.
Thank you for your consideration,
Trevor McDonald
