Business & Economic Development
This Is Where Ambition Finds Balance.
As one of the top places in Ontario to open and operate a small business, Collingwood boasts a growing population and a thriving business community. Collingwood acts as gateway to the South Georgian Bay region, with stunning landscapes that encourage an active lifestyle, and inspire the local arts & culture community. Collingwood is home to an exceptional primary, secondary, and post-secondary education system, as well as integrated healthcare services, recreational facilities and a wide range of shopping choices.
Only 90 minutes from Toronto, Collingwood holds a unique position as both a business leader and a recreational gem. Experience big city amenities in a small-town harbourfront community.
Our Business Development Centre Services
The Town of Collingwood works closely with various partners to provide exceptional business support to business owners and entrepreneurs. The Business Development Centre (BDC) has long been established as the go-to place for business support and is pleased to announce that there are now six great business resources all under one roof to help you!
Building & Investment Advice
The Town of Collingwood Economic Development Department acting as business curators, can assist business owners in finding land and space, provide updates on proposed developments, offers concierge services to assist businesses with navigating town hall, and provides access to information to support informed decisions. “We are here to offer support to local businesses by providing data and information, connecting them with local and regional programs and services and helping with site selection,” says Johanna Griggs, Manager, Economic Development.
Business Connections
The South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) offers entrepreneurs all the tools needed to start and grow their business, starting with free consultations with a qualified business consultant. “This area has been swelling with entrepreneurs eager to either start or relocate their existing business to Southern Georgian Bay and they tend to gravitate towards our centre for advice.” Says Tim Newton, Manager. The focus of the Small Business Enterprise Centre is to provide support to start-up and existing small business enterprises during their development, retention, and operation. They provide entrepreneurs with easy access to business consulting services and information covering management, marketing, technology, strategy, planning, and financing.
The South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre is operated by the Town of Collingwood, and services South Georgian Bay municipalities.
Starter Company Plus and Summer Company Programs
The South Georgian Bay Small Business Enterprise Centre is proud to have two programs that support entrepreneurship in the South Georgian Bay region. Our business consultants are happy to assist and provide advice to entrepreneurs of all ages in our community. Read More.
Business Loans
Community Futures South Georgian Bay (CFSGB), previously known as the Centre for Business and Economic Development, is a not-for-profit Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) sponsored by Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario serving West Simcoe, South Grey and Dufferin County. They are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and are one of 61 CFDCs in Ontario. CFSGB has been supporting the small business community for 37 years.
“The Community Futures program is ideal for entrepreneurs looking to start a business or grow an existing business. We can help with advice and mentorship, workshops and training and loans and financing. We love working with the entrepreneurial community, it is vibrant, dynamic, and creative.” says Gillian Fairly, General Manager.
They are a resource for new and expanding businesses offering:
- Business loans up to $300,000
- Coaching/mentoring program
- Business counselling
- Support for community economic development
Downtown Business
The Collingwood Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a Municipal Local Board established for the main purpose of revitalizing the central business district of the Town of Collingwood. The organization comprises of more than 600 businesses and property owners, and is funded by a levy placed on the property taxes of each owner within the designated boundaries. The budget is presented to the general membership each year for discussion, with final approval by Council to assist in the beautification, maintenance, promotion, and economic development of Collingwood’s downtown area.
The BIA is responsible for annual events like the Santa Claus Parade, Christmas Market and Collingwood Fashion week and works collaboratively with the Town of Collingwood to present the annual Art & Music Crawl and works with community partners on other community events and promotions. One of the most beloved annual events in our community presented by the Collingwood Downtown BIA is the farmers’ market which runs every Saturday morning from the May long weekend until Thanksgiving at the corner of Second Street and Pine Street.
“Collingwood Downtown is one of more than 330 BIAs across the province of Ontario who work together to make our downtown cores vibrant and welcoming as community gathering places. A BIA is an area marketer, event facilitator, public realm investor and policy and partner influencer,’ said Susan Nicholson, General Manager.
Accelerate Your Business
The GB Accelerator team are passionate about advancing high-growth companies in the Georgian Bay area. They know that building a successful business takes more than just capital – it takes ideas, momentum, and a supportive community. Since 2021 they’ve been here to provide all three. Their network of mentors are executives, founders, and seasoned entrepreneurs who are dedicated to seeing businesses thrive.
The GB Accelerator offers programs that are fully customized to the needs of each business. In both their Launch and Growth programs, businesses work with expert mentors to develop a highly targeted strategic plan to get them to the next stage of growth and to enable future success. The GB Accelerator also offers advanced educational opportunities to help entrepreneurs leverage best in class technologies and business practices to enable growth.
The Collingwood Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization, with members encompassing all segments of the local economy, from start-up entrepreneurs, family business, national to multi-national corporations. The membership is comprised of businesses that represent all areas of industry, enterprise and numerous associations.
They are dedicated to the promotion and advocacy of Collingwood and area businesses and provide several outstanding benefits, discounts, and networking opportunities that each member including their staff can take advantage of. They represent and support the needs and views of their members plus enhance and further advance the economic health and vitality of the local business community.
Keeping Our Businesses Up-to-Date
Subscribing to our weekly 60-Second News Update email ensures our local businesses receive relevant and up-to-date information on developments, opportunities and decisions that affect them. Subscribe Here.
Mayor's Roundtable on Economic Development
The Town of Collingwood regularly hosts the Mayor’s Roundtable on Economic Development to actively engage the business community with Council an staff on key economic development issues and opportunities. Summary notes from these informal meetings are available below:
July 5th, 2023
November 22nd, 2023
February 15th, 2024
May 29th, 2024
CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independant Business) ranks Collingwood the top community for entrepreneurs in Ontario, and #6 in Canada!
The South Georgian Bay Business Development Centre located in downtown Collingwood supports growth of innovative companies through financing, real estate building and planning, networking and education events and free business development advice.
The historic harbourfront town of Collingwood is located within 5kms of both the largest freshwater beach in the world and Ontario's largest ski resort. It is also home to over 70kms of recreational trails for biking, hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.
Our cutting-edge tech firms supply the largest companies in the world, including the only heavy water (deuterium) producer in Canada, the manufacturer of the largest architectural glass in North America, a manufacturer of advanced under water commuications, Canada's #1 mining equipment manufacturer, and a company of self-proclaimed 'engineering ninjas' who conduct R&D for some of North America's largest heavy equipment manufacturers.
Collingwood’s 12 key sectors show the wide range of companies who have chosen to grow their business here. Read some of their success stories.