Whether economic developers are working to support local businesses, developing strategies to grow industries, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, or attracting investment, they all work towards a common goal — to build strong and thriving communities.
To learn more about Durham Region Economic Development programs and services visit
investdurham.ca
.
|
|
Durham Tech Spotlight: Seatgiant
|
|
Seatgiant is a marketplace, which began in 2015 in Durham Region; connecting buyers and sellers in North America. The company started out as a bus tour business, taking hundreds of fans from the Greater Toronto Area to different sporting events across the United States and Canada. From there, interest grew, and within 16 months, Seatgiant launched a website to meet their fans demand for tickets.
In 2018, the company launched seatgiant.ca, which offers over one million tickets in Canadian dollars anywhere in North America.
Article submitted by Seatgiant
|
|
Accelerator set to fuel more homegrown
success stories
|
|
A new innovation accelerator, 1855 Whitby has opened in downtown Whitby. It is the first of its kind in Durham Region. The accelerator is the result of a successful private-public partnership between the Town of Whitby and local industry leader 360insights. It builds on Whitby's existing innovation district, which is comprised of more than a dozen tech and innovation companies that individually employ more than 500 people.
Through the accelerator, tech companies currently experiencing a minimum of double-digit annual growth will be provided with access to work in a creative business and collaboration space. Members of 1855 Whitby will receive on-site mentorship from industry leaders and hands-on support from experts across varying business channels to help facilitate their growth objectives.
Article submitted by Town of Whitby Economic Development Office
|
|
Toyota Canada construction on track
|
The construction of the 350,000-square-foot Toyota Canada facility is well underway in east Bowmanville. Toyota Canada and their design partner, Leeswood Construction, are very pleased with the progress to date on their new Eastern Canada Parts Distribution Centre. The structural steel is up, and the following few months will include installing the precast walls, roof and the pouring of the warehouse floor slab, which is scheduled for June 2019. The latter half of 2019 will include interior work, dock equipment and racking, all scheduled for completion by December 2019 to support their occupancy in January 2020.
Article submitted by Clarington Board of Trade and Office of Economic Development
|
|
Uxbridge undertakes largest capital infrastructure project in township’s history
|
The Township of Uxbridge is in the midst of a large capital infrastructure project that involves the replacement of the Brock Street culvert in the heart of downtown Uxbridge. The existing culvert is aging and in a state of decay, and requires replacement to reduce the risk of flooding.
Upon completion of the culvert replacement, several commercial and residential properties located in downtown Uxbridge will be removed from the floodplain. This will result in expansion and redevelopment opportunities through which the Township can recoup their investment— from purchasing the property— and fulfill their long-term vision for a vibrant downtown. With the purchase of the property completed, the Township expects to move as quickly as possible to complete the culvert project and the associated construction.
Article submitted by Township of Uxbridge
|
|
CannaPiece Corp. plans new cannabis
cultivation facility
|
CannaPiece Corp. has submitted a site plan application to construct a new, three-storey 512,000-square-foot cannabis cultivation facility in Bowmanville, which is expected to bring in 600 new jobs. Construction is projected to commence this summer. The cannabis industry plays a role in enhancing Ontario’s economy through investment, innovation and job creation. Clarington is proud to work alongside industry partners to build a centre of excellence in the cannabis industry in Ontario.
Article submitted by Clarington Board of Trade and Office of Economic Development
|
|
The ground has broken on Durham Live!
|
Ground has broken on Durham Live, a state-of-the-art destination unique to Durham Region and the GTA that will at attract over 10 million visitors annually. Durham Live will create the ultimate entertainment experience accessible to all. With integrated transportation connectivity to GO Transit and Highway 401, it will be drivable, walkable and transit-oriented destination with something for everyone.
|
|
New business
Jack’s Place 4 Kids has grand opening in Beaverton
|
|
Jack’s Place 4 Kids, located at 354 Simcoe Street in Beaverton, held its grand opening in March. Owner Carol Roberts and Manager, Denise Dingman have worked hard to ensure that the children’s store is full of games, toys and books to encourage tactile learning and personal interaction between children, their families and friends.
The store is named in honour of Roberts' neighbour Jack, who passed away after a battle with brain cancer on his eighth birthday. The store’s proceeds will be donated on Jack’s birthday November 18, to Emily’s House in Toronto, where Jack and his family spent their last moments together.
Jack’s Place 4 Kids is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Article submitted by Township of Brock
|
|
Business Count returns to Durham Region
|
|
The Regional Municipality of Durham, Planning and Economic Development Department, is conducting its eighth Business Count to gather statistics from local businesses about their operations. Data collected through the Business Count will be used for municipal planning and economic development analysis purposes and to update regional and municipal business directories. When seeking out new suppliers, businesses are encouraged to visit the Region’s online directory at
investdurham.ca
.
With your support, we were able to reach 12,599 businesses across the region this year. Thank you! To view the 2018 Business Count results, visit
durham.ca/businesscount
.
In addition to in-person visits, businesses—including home-based businesses, non-profit organizations and farms—have the option to complete the 2019 Business Count by visiting
durham.ca/businesscount
.
|
|
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow, geekspeak Commerce sought to harness its power for good in the third annual "Hack for Good" hackathon, presented by Staples Canada. The event was held at the geekspeak office in Whitby where more than 60 participants— including data scientists, computer programmers, designers and marketers— came together to tackle real-world problems with AI solutions over a period of 36 hours.
The hackathon was a huge success with speakers and mentors sharing their expertise.
Article submitted by geekspeak Commerce
|
|
It was the powerful potential of a Toronto East Aerotropolis that captivated a room of close to 400 investors, developers, top business leaders, key political figures, and other stakeholders during a dynamic discussion in April, led by two of North America’s foremost aeronautic and economic experts, Dr. Richard Florida and Dr. John Kasarda.
Co-hosted b
y the City of Pickering and the Toronto Region Board of Trade, the event highlighte
d how an airport in Pickering could become Toronto’s second major airport, with an integrated outlying aerotropolis. This opportunity could create tens of thousands of jobs, generate billions of dollars in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and thrust our region to the forefront of global economic competitiveness.
World-renowned urbanist Dr. Florida emphatically reinforced how airports are critical drivers of innovation, technological capability, global city status and economic competitiveness. As such, an airport in Pickering is key in the Region’s ability to compete, and win, in the global economy.
Visit
economicengine.ca
to learn more about the proposed Toronto East Aerotropolis, strategically located near the centre of the GTA.
Article submitted by City of Pickering Economic Development
|
|
Centennial’s Pickering Learning Site Graduate Certificate programs focus on career success
|
|
This fall, Centennial College will offer Project Management and Strategic Management programs at the Pickering Learning Site. These offerings are suitable for a wide range of business professionals including business owners.
The
Project Management
Graduate Certificate program gives you the tools and fundamental knowledge to successfully manage projects in a timely and cost-effective manner. It is offered in a compressed, three-days/week schedule and includes a full-time, 14-week internship, all of which is completed in one year.
The
Strategic Management
Graduate Certificate program, approved by the Canadian Institute of Management, provides learning opportunities to build essential skills and knowledge valued by industry leaders in today's workforce. You will gain knowledge in a broad range of functions, such as assessing the internal and external business environments, identifying growth opportunities, developing goals, formulating and implementing strategies, and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies in achieving organizational objectives.
Article submitted by Centennial College
|
|
Local business success stories wanted!
|
|
|
|
We’re changing up our e-newsletter and would like to include more good news stories about Durham Region companies.
If you have a story to share, please send us a 100 to 150-word article with a photo for consideration in the next issue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
