BWG Launches Growth Services Digital Hub

BWG Launches Growth Services Digital Hub to Support Growth & Development, Transparency, and Public Engagement

The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury (BWG) is proud to unveil its new Digital Hub—a cloud-based engagement platform designed to transform how the municipality shares data, collaborates with the community, and delivers transparent, accessible information about growth and development.

The Digital Hub, developed by BWG’s Growth Services Department in partnership with ESRI and town IT staff, offers a one-stop, user-friendly online destination for real-time updates, interactive maps, and key performance data. The hub is optimized for mobile devices and makes it easier than ever for residents, Council, staff, and stakeholders to access and understand important information related to development in the town.

What is the Digital Hub?

At its core, BWG’s Growth Services Hub is a smart, scalable platform built to:

• Improve access to accurate, real-time data
• Enhance transparency and storytelling with data
• Support evidence-based decisions for staff, senior leadership, and Council
• Foster public confidence through timely, clear, open access to development information
• Meet provincial quarterly reporting requirements for planning applications
• Track progress toward BWG’s housing pledge of 6,500 units by 2031

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Prompted by legislative changes, provincial reporting requirements, and a growing call for greater transparency, BWG recognized the need for a centralized digital solution. By integrating data from systems like its planning application tracking system, CityView, ArcGIS, and SharePoint through an Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) process, the Town has created an ESRI-powered Data Hub complete with dashboards and mapping tools.

What’s Inside the Hub?

The public-facing Growth Services Hub includes:

• Building Permit Dashboard – Tracks completed, in-progress, and issued permits, along with a Housing Pledge speedometer.
• Development Proposals Dashboard – Provides up-to-date data on land use applications, planning public meeting schedules, planning proposals, residential unit counts, and employment land areas.
• Interactive Mapping Tool – View development by ward, explore application details, and enjoy a simple map experience designed with ease of use in mind.
• Department Performance Dashboard – Internally, KPIs for each division allow for transparent tracking of departmental progress, using a clear green/yellow/red/blue visual system.

Fast, Effective, and Future-Focused

Implemented in under eight months using existing tools, BWG’s Growth ServicesHub isn’t just a solution for today—it establishes the groundwork for future innovation. Staff are now trained to build future dashboards, ensuring ongoing adaptability and growth.

“This platform represents a major step forward in how we share information and engage with our community,” said Jennifer Best, Director of Growth Services “We’re empowering the public with better tools and giving staff and Council the insights they need to make smart, data-driven decisions.”

To explore BWG’s new Digital Hub, visit Growth Services Hub