Gilbert leaders are signaling a shift toward a more aggressive and better-resourced economic development strategy, with council members indicating they want staff to expand efforts to attract businesses and generate revenue as the town faces financial pressures.
The direction came after an extended presentation this month and discussion on how redevelopment, tourism and business attraction contribute to the town’s tax base, with council members acknowledging they may have limited those efforts in the past.
“We’ve done things the same way for a long time, and they’re no longer working,” Councilmember Kenny Buckland said. “We do have to think differently like we’re talking and that means maybe we have to travel. We have to represent. We’re still part of the region, but we’re at the table, not waiting for them to come to us.”
