Economic Development and Tourism News

Season's greetings from Georgina's Economic Development and Tourism Team

The Economic Development and Tourism Division extends warm holiday wishes to our businesses, organizations, residents and supporters. May this season bring joy, relaxation and cherished moments with your loved ones.


Our team remains dedicated to fostering economic stability and growth. Through innovative programs, targeted initiatives and ongoing advocacy, we are here to address today’s economic realities and prepare for what’s ahead. In 2025, we are excited to continue implementing a community-driven strategic plan designed to enhance investment attraction, support business retention and expansion, increase the economic impact of visitors and create vibrant downtowns.


Thank you for choosing Georgina as the place to live, work, and play.

Here’s to a prosperous 2025!


Warm regards,

Karyn, Katrina, Cristina, Julie, Negin and Karina

Get to know us

Explore Georgina's lifestyle through a new interactive online dashboard

Just an hour north of Toronto, the Town of Georgina strikes the perfect balance between rural charm and urban convenience, making it an ideal place to live, work, and play near the city. Its close proximity to GTA urban hubs, combined with a picturesque lakeside lifestyle and a more affordable real estate market, attracts residents of all ages and stages of life.


In our new interactive dashboard, you can explore the advantages of living in Georgina. See it's diversity, population by generation, schools, climate and outdoor assets.

Explore Georgina's lifestyle

Applications open for Taste of Georgina 2025

Taste of Georgina event

The Town of Georgina is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 Taste of Georgina event, a celebration of the town’s rich and diverse culinary scene. Running from Feb. 29 to March 9, 2025, this highly anticipated event invites local sit-in restaurants to showcase their offerings through specially crafted three-course prix fixe menus at various price points. The program aims to boost restaurant traffic during the winter season, stimulate economic activity and highlight Georgina's incredible dining experiences.


Participation is free, but restaurants must meet eligibility requirements and submit a completed application by Jan. 10, 2025. Eligible restaurants will benefit from widespread promotion across various marketing channels through the Town's channels.

Learn more and apply

Digital skills educational workshop series set to support local business this winter

Digital Skills for Business is back this winter 2025! The Digital Skills program is a free-of-charge educational workshop series that focuses on building the presence of your business online. Discover how to establish or elevate your business using online platforms and eliminate the digital gap.


In-person workshops return to Georgina and East Gwillimbury, alongside virtual sessions for this year's program. Sign up for the YSpace newsletter to be the first to know about Digital Skills 2025 updates and opportunities. Learn more about YSpace programming at georgina.ca/YSpace.

Sign up

First-of-its-kind puppy centre in Canada moves through the development process

In the fall of 2023, CNIB Guide Dogs announced that a first-of-its-kind in Canada Puppy Development Centre will be built on Baseline Road in Sutton. We are excited about this development that will support, socialize and train future CNIB guide dogs and serve as a community space for residents to learn more about guide dogs and blindness. A groundbreaking celebration is inching closer as a site plan was recently submitted to the Town.


The CNIB is a non-profit organization that is driven to change what it is to be blind today. If you are a resident, you may have had one of its canvassers come to your door. The organization engages in fundraising activities to support the amazing work they do, such as the centre being built in Sutton. To learn about the CNIB and support them, visit their website.

Learn more

Local Spotlight

Georgina celebrates 20+ years of business success with Mayor and Council Milestone Awards

Since 2016, the Mayor and Council's Milestone Awards have honoured Georgina’s long-standing businesses and families, celebrating their deep roots in the community. These businesses provide valuable products and services, drive job creation and support local causes, contributing to the Town's growing economy. These awards are given out alongside the Georgina Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards. 


This year, the focus was on businesses with more than 20 years of operation, businesses that are dedicated ambassadors for Georgina and who have strengthened its reputation. Learn about each of the seven businesses recognized in our blog.

Read blog

Business Support

Municipal business support and entrepreneurship programs

The Town supports businesses through YSpace entrepreneurship programming, grants, a development application fee rebate, a patio program and more. Learn more.


Regional resources and support

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.


Financial guidance and support

South Lake Futures provides loans for small businesses, business start-up consultations, business name registration assistance, business grants and growth counselling. Learn more.


Networking

Looking for networking opportunities in 2025? Check out the Georgina Chamber of Commerce. Learn more.

Featured Opportunities

Expert advice

Only a few spots left! Unlock support for your business through PSAP. The York Small Business Enterprise Centre's Northern York Region Professional Services Access Program (PSAP) offers eligible businesses complimentary access to expert advice to help you make informed business and financial decisions. Through the program, you can receive a consultation with professionals in one of five areas. Learn more and apply.

Women in Tech JumpSTART Incubator

The YSpace Women in Tech JumpSTART Incubator, funded by York Link - York Region Economic Development and implemented in collaboration with Treefrog Accelerator and Schulich School of Business - York University, is designed to help women in tech scale their venture with access to industry experts, peer support and resources tailored to tech-focused growth. The program is open to women entrepreneurs who hold at least 50 per cent ownership of a tech-based business in the GTA and are committed to working full-time on their venture with a clear six-month roadmap. Learn more and apply.

Financial Opportunities

Featured Opportunity

Canada Small Business Financing Program

The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. The enhanced program provides lenders and small businesses with additional financing products, new class of loans, increased loan amounts and terms, improved loan conditions and decreased administrative burden. Learn more.

Business Benefits Finder

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business or a not-for-profit organization, this tool can help you find grants, partnerships and support currently available to help you grow.

Explore the interactive online tool

Investment Opportunities

Keswick Business Park

The Town of Georgina’s business park lands offer one of the most extensive footprints for business development in the Greater Toronto Area. More than 250,000 sq. ft. is currently available for lease. Learn more.

Featured businesses and properties for sale

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 business.

20810 Dalton Rd.,

Sutton

$1,098,000

118 High St.,

Sutton

$898,800

21100 Dalton Rd.,

Jackson's Point

$1,999,900

See full map of "For Sale" listings of Commercial and Industrial Properties.


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.

Events

Is the market ready for your idea?

Join South Lake Futures at 183 The Queensway South in Keswick on Jan. 13 from 10:30 a.m. to noon for an exciting event where we they will explore whether your idea is ready to hit the market! Get valuable insights from an industry expert, network with like-minded individuals, and gain the confidence you need to take your idea to the next level. The seminar is available in our hybrid format so you may join in-person or online. Learn more.


2025 Tourism Symposium: Beyond the Obvious

Join Central Counties Tourism on Monday, February 10, at Hazelton Manor in Vaughan for a day of learning, networking and idea-sharing with tourism-related businesses and regional stakeholders from across York, Durham and Headwaters. Learn more.

Find more business events at yorklink.ca.

Visit our website


Discover why talent and businesses choose Georgina by exploring our economic development website, choosegeorgina.ca. The new site is a comprehensive resource for those considering Georgina as a place to call home and for existing businesses looking to expand.

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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Georgina Economic Development and Tourism

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