Economic Development and Tourism News |
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Business park website launched to promote new development |
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Panattoni Development Company Canada has launched a new website for its 404 Logistics Park, which has begun development along Woodbine Avenue in the Town of Georgina. It is one of the largest business park developments within a one-hour drive from major urban centres in the Greater Toronto Area and the largest development in Georgina’s history, expected to bring many new jobs to the area. |
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Georgina's financial programs to support economic and cultural development |
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The Town of Georgina offers two grant programs and a development fee rebate to support the Town's goal to grow the local economy. These financial support programs are reviewed and updated to meet current needs. Below, you will find the Town's three financial support programs and recent updates.
Community Improvement Plan Program
The Town works closely with the designated Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), which represent more than 200 businesses, providing grants through the Community Improvement Plan Program. In light of the provincial government's requirement for businesses to become AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities) compliant by 2025, the Town recently increased the maximum amount an applicant can receive for accessibility improvements to $5,000. Learn more.
Economic, Culture and Community Betterment Grant Program
This program supports events, programs and initiatives that have an economic impact and promote Georgina's identity. It provides grants up to 50 per cent of the applicant's total eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $5,000. Grant recipients include the Georgina Studio Tour, Georgina Marathon and Half Marathon, Military Day and more. Learn more.
Development Application Fee Rebate Program
In an effort to appeal to investors and support them through the development process, the Town offers a rebate on development application fees. In 2022, the program was updated to a three-tier system in order to support larger development. Learn more.
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New workshop series program set to launch |
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The next YSpace program, Digital Skills for Business, starts on Feb. 21. It is a free-of-charge educational workshop series that focuses on building the presence of your business online. Participants can still register for any of the upcoming sessions running until the end of April.
This series will cover topics like social media, digital marketing, e-commerce, SEO, and how-to-use tools like Facebook Meta, Google Ads and Google Analytics.
The program is open to entrepreneurs 18+ who reside in northern York Region, primarily in East Gwillimbury, Georgina, the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations and the surrounding area.
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Fourth annual Taste of Georgina event supports and celebrates local restaurants |
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Between Feb. 20 and March 5, Georgina will be celebrating its diverse food culture during Taste of Georgina. For two weeks, participating restaurants will be offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at set price points that showcase their offerings. More than 740 prix fixe meals were sold in 2022, which brought in more than $22,000 in profit for the participating restaurants, not including the many new customers that purchased other meals from their regular menus. |
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In 2022, the Economic Development and Tourism office launched a campaign to attract investment and instill civic pride by highlighting Georgina as a great place to live, work and play. It included videos viewed more than 390K times, blogs and social media spotlights.
If you love living, working and playing in Georgina, we want to hear from you. Your submission could be featured in upcoming spotlight for the Choose Georgina campaign.
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BIA businesses are invited to attend 2023 Annual General Meetings |
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If you are a BIA business located within one of Georgina's three BIAs, please note the following dates, times and locations of the 2023 Annual General Meetings (AGM). Official AGM board packages with further information have been sent through the mail and should be arriving shortly. If you have any questions regarding the Business Improvement Areas and the AGM meetings, contact Julie Cain at jcain@georgina.ca.
Downtown Sutton BIA
Thurs., March 2, at 7 p.m.
The Link – Chamber of Commerce Board Room
Jackson’s Point BIA
Mon., March 6, at 7 p.m.
The Link – Meeting Room 1
Uptown Keswick BIA
Tues., March 7, at 7 p.m.
Georgina Ice Palace – Multi-purpose Room
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Featured Funding Opportunities |
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Canada Digital Adoption Program
The Canadian Digital Adoption Program helps businesses get online, enhance their e-commerce presence and help digitalize operations. It is designed to support small-to-medium-sized businesses that need to make digital adoptions in their businesses to be able to remain competitive. The website offers a questionnaire to figure out which stream is right for you.
Deadline: Open until funds are used
Funding amount: $2,400 or 90 percent of costs up to $15,000 depending on the stream
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Ontario Trillium Foundation Grants
Deadline: click on the available opportunities to see deadline dates
Funding amount: up to $250,000 depending on the grant
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Summer Company 2023 has launched |
Students aged 15-29 can receive training, mentoring and a grant of up to $3,000 to start their own summer business. Learn more. |
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Town of Georgina support programs
The Town's business support programs include grants, a development application fee rebate and a patio program. Learn more.
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Entrepreneurship programs
The Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury have partnered with York University’s YSpace to deliver free entrepreneurial skills training programs to support entrepreneurs and economic growth. Learn more.
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Digital support
Digital Main Street programs support small businesses looking to sell online or enhance their digital technology. Learn more.
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Online resources for businesses in York Region
Online business resources include a new easy-to-use collection of links on business licensing, taxes, market research and more. The page also includes information on community assets within York Region. From maker spaces helping to create product prototypes to business incubators providing support and guidance. Learn more.
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Financial support and guidance
South Lake Futures provides loans for small businesses, business start-up consultations, business name registration assistance, business grants and growth counselling. Learn more.
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Georgina's Economic Development staff are available to guide you to programs, resources or funding opportunities you may not be aware of. Connect with us. |
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Featured Properties for Sale |
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Are you looking for the perfect site to start or expand your business? We can help you find a location that will meet your needs and is zoned for your industry.
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Disclaimer: Listings are provided to the Town from brokers, real estate agents, and various real estate websites. The Town of Georgina assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information shown, and does not make any representation, warranties or guarantees of any kind in relation to the listings in this e-newsletter or the properties described therein. Please contact the real estate agent or other contact person identified on the listing to verify all information.
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Town-run and Town-supported events |
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Georgina ICE Friday Night Hockey |
Friday nights at 7:30 p.m.
Georgina Ice Palace, 90 Wexford Dr.
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Feb. 11 from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.
26479 Civic Centre Rd., Keswick
This event is proudly sponsored by:
Platinum sponsors – Enbridge and Harvey’s/Swiss Chalet
Gold sponsor – Tim Horton’s
Silver sponsor – Sobeys Sutton
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Feb. 20 to March 5
Offered at participating restaurants throughout Georgina
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Georgina Economic Development and Tourism
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