Regional development and city branding: UMQ Central Municipalities Caucus on economic mission to New York

MONTREAL, June 1, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - A delegation of the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) Central Municipalities Caucus will participate in an economic mission to New York during the City Nation Place Americas international forum from June 4 to June 6.

Caucus chair, Mayor Jean-Maurice Matte of Senneterre, along with Chibougamau Mayor Manon Cyr and Nicolet Mayor Geneviève Dubois, will participate in the mission to exchange ideas with leaders of the Americas on the power of attraction of cities and new practices in city branding.

"In the context of economic globalization, municipalities are more than ever looking for ways to make a difference, to make their municipalities distinctive, to attract not only businesses, workers, and their families, but also public and infrastructure investments. We must stand out and explain why our municipality or region is the best place to live, work, and invest," Mayor Matte said.

In recent years, a number of Quebec regions have experienced job losses in the public and para-public sectors as well as business closures. "This situation affects the socio-economic fabric of our regions and impacts the dynamic land occupancy of our territories. We must find ways to reverse this trend, and it is exactly with this in mind that we're taking part in this great international forum," Matte said.

The UMQ delegation will also take advantage of the New York visit to meet several organizations and cities in the region, including city officials in New Rochelle and Yonkers, and representatives of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce.

Delegation members are available for media interviews throughout the mission. Please contact UMQ communications and media relations advisor Patrick Lemieux to arrange interviews at 438-827-4560 or [email protected].

About the UMQ central municipalities caucus
The UMQ Central Municipalities Caucus consists of urban municipalities within the territory of Quebec that have a strongly central character. The role of the caucus, which includes some 60 municipalities, is to assert the predominant role of central municipalities as hubs of social and economic development for their residents and the rural municipalities in their region.

The voice of local government
Since its founding in 1919, the UMQ has represented municipalities of every size in every region of Quebec. The UMQ mission is to provide provincial leadership for effective, autonomous local governments and uphold the fundamental role of those elected to municipal office. UMQ members represent over 80% of the population and land area of Quebec and are grouped into affinity caucuses: local municipalities, central municipalities, regional cities, major cities, and municipalities in the Montreal metropolis.

SOURCE Union des municipalités du Québec