Economic Development

Wasaga Beach is a vibrant and rapidly growing municipality in Ontario having experienced a 20% population growth between 2016-2021. Over 24,000 residents call Wasaga Beach home and are supported by unique commercial neighborhoods across the community. Get what you need, when you need it. Our beachside community inspires and delights any tastebud, satisfies product needs and will comfort you with quality services. 

Wasaga Beach is home to three elementary schools, a community health centre, and a municipal transit system that connects residents both to Collingwood and Barrie.

With development booming around town, we are forecasted for a lot of growth - and you are invited! Come join us in Wasaga Beach.

Our welcome mat stretches for miles on the white sandy shores of South Georgian Bay. Wasaga Beach is also home to also home to the scenic Nottawasaga River and a dramatic and unique sand dune system, all surrounded by hectares of natural wetlands and woodlands.

Wasaga Beach is truly a natural wonder and a recreational paradise with trails, cycling routes, parks, and waterfront access all year round. And did we mention skiing?

Wasaga Beach offers all kinds of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat biking and sledding options. It is also a stone's-throw from Blue Mountain Resort, Snow Valley and Mount St. Louis Moonstone, not to mention all of the private ski clubs. There is a reason why we are considered Toronto's Playground. 

The quality-of-life aspects of our community do not just end at physical activities. We are a community of artists, foodies, event-goers and historical enthusiasts. 

Wasaga Beach can be accessed either by plane, train, bus or taxi from anywhere in Canada. Come play with us in Ontario's best kept secret. 

• For those driving, you can access Wasaga Beach from Toronto via Airport Road or Highway 400 (Bayfield Street Exit). 
• For those taking train or bus, the nearest major terminals are located in Barrie (Allendale Waterfront GO Station or the Barrie Transit Terminal) . From there you can hop on a local taxi service or take the Simcoe County LINX bus to the Wasaga Beach Bus Terminal located beside the Superstore at 25 45th Street South, Wasaga Beach. Hop of our local transit system from there which can take you across town. 
• Toronto Pearson International Airport is located within a 1.5 hour drive and can be accessed by Airport Road on the west end of town. Collingwood Regional Airport and the Edenvale Aerodrome are both located 10 minutes from Wasaga Beach.
• Wasaga Beach is a 25 minute drive from Blue Mountain Resort, 15 minutes from Collingwood, and 30 minutes from Barrie.

This is an exciting time to invest in Wasaga Beach as we embark on a new era of development and growth. 

Several residential projects are in various stages of approval, including the Sunnidale Trails development which will bring an additional 7,000 people to the community. 

The redevelopment of town-owned land at our beachfront, museum, new library and new twin-pad arena are all in the works. 

Our business community is ripe with energy. With heavy manufacturing occurring across Simcoe County and an educated and entrepreneurial labour force here in Wasaga Beach, you will be in a great position to secure talent to help build upon your investment. Join us on the ride and help us build our future in Wasaga Beach. 

Small Business Services is responsible for leading the way in the generation of new jobs. In Canada, some estimates indicate as high as 98% of new job creation emanates from small business establishments.

A successful economic development effort focuses on nurturing and supporting job growth in small businesses.

A key element to the strategy includes economic diversification through the attraction of new entrepreneurs and small business development in the community.

Investment Attraction Services educates our audiences on how the resources offered in Wasaga Beach align with their business needs while also providing tools and partnerships that maximize our ability to draw external investment opportunities.

We are achieving this by having frequent conversations with existing regional branches and through ongoing discussions with government officials, domestic and foreign investors, and global entrepreneurs.

Business Retention and Expansion Services is focused on making it easier for businesses to stay and grow in Wasaga Beach. This is a cornerstone of an effective economic development strategy, as we know that upwards of 80% of our growth over the next few years will be from the companies that are already established in the community.

Achieving results in assisting an existing employer to access new markets and to expand, is more effective and requires fewer resources than attracting new investment to the community.

Economic Development will be instrumental in assisting companies to secure resources such as funding for new capital equipment, technological innovations, building improvements, and energy conservation.

We are working directly with entrepreneurs, businesses, and residents to enhance two-way communications and ultimately inspire a culture of prosperity.

Through a proactive strategy that includes new and traditional tools, the Economic Development team is bringing a strong voice to Wasaga Beach’s success stories in order to educate stakeholders locally and around the world.

Tourism and Destination Management focuses on developing and communicating experiences with the goal of providing value to visitors, residents and businesses. We achieve this by working with industry stakeholders and providing local tourism operators and organizations with the tools to produce sustainable and competitive tourism products and services in Wasaga Beach.

Doctor Recruitment Services is focused on educating new physicians on the Wasaga Beach community and ensuring that the health care needs of the community continue to be met as we experience growth. We achieve this by working with provincial and local health organizations and partners, local physicians, recruiting partners, area hospitals and clinics.

We understand that a healthy community means a healthy workforce that can help to drive the creation and expansion of a sustainable economy. ​

Financial Incentive:

• $100,000 Financial Support: Available for up to 4 new physicians
• Memorandum of Understanding: Physicians must enter into an MOU with the following terms:
  • Open a new practice or take over an existing one.
  • Maintain the practice in Wasaga Beach for 5 years.
  • Serve predominantly Wasaga Beach patients.
  • Receive $50,000 upfront and $12,500 annually for 4 years.

Beck Street Clinic Incentive:

• Clinic Opportunity: Location for up to 2 new physicians' practices.
• No Overhead Costs: Space offered without overhead expenses.
• Agreement Terms: Physicians must agree to:
  • 4-year fixed term, ending on August 28th, 2027.
  • Possibility for lease renewal.
  • Availability during afterhours as required.
  • Roster predominantly Wasaga Beach patients.

Business Development Centre

The Business Development Centre is here to support and advise businesses during COVID-19. They will answer questions, help make sense of new information coming down from the provincial and federal governments and provide advice on how to manage through these challenging times. 

Centre for Business and Economic Development

The Centre for Business and Economic Development offers free targeted coaching and advice by telephone or video conferencing as well as information for businesses seeking financing.

Small Business Enterprise Centre

The Small Business Enterprise Centre offers free consultations by phone as well as informational webinars and digital advice. They also look after the Digital Main Street program locally. 

• Digital Service Squad Menu

Town of Wasaga Beach Economic Development 

The Town of Wasaga Beach Economic Development office offers free consultations on business supports including navigating municipal business licensing and approvals, partnership resources, financial resources, as well as recommendations on economic recovery for businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce

The Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce offers free consultations by phone as well as informational webinars and business-related networking events.

Before any filming takes place, productions must complete the following steps:

1. Submit a Film Permit Application: 

Download and submit the official Film Permit Application PDF at least 10 business days prior to your first shoot day for Town Staff and relevant departments to review. 

2. Provide Supporting Documentation: 

All productions are required to submit:

• Proof of insurance with the Town of Wasaga Beach listed as additional insured.
• A detailed filming schedule.
• Site plan or map outlining locations and any road or parking disruptions.
• Emergency contact list and production company information.

3. Meet with Staff (if required) 

Larger or more complex productions may be asked to attend a coordination meeting with Town Staff to review logistics and community impact. 

Filming Hours: Generally permitted between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., unless otherwise approved.

Resident Notification: Productions must notify affected property owners at least 48 hours before filming begins.

Drone Use: Requires Transport Canada certification and Town approval.

Traffic Control: Must be arranged through a licensed company, and approval may be required for any intermittent traffic stoppages.

Cleanup & Restoration: All locations must be returned to pre-filming condition.

At this time, Wasaga Beach offers free film permits and works closely with every production to ensure a smooth, efficient, and supportive process from start to finish.

We’re here to support your creative vision every step of the way.

Contact the Economic Development & Film Office for further questions and coordination.  

🕒 Monday–Friday | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Since the initial TDMP release in 2018, the tourism landscape has evolved dramatically with the global pandemic, international conflicts, uncertain economic conditions, hospitality labour shortages, and changing customer travel motivations and behaviors.

The global pause on travel has accelerated the emergence of new trends in the tourism industry, including a shift towards more responsible travel practices and models that prioritize communities and residents over visitation numbers and profit.

Regenerative tourism is a model that Wasaga Beach has adopted through the TDMP, with strong support from community stakeholders including residents and members of the business community. Regenerative tourism has a goal of innovation, collaboration, and adaptation, guiding tourism development with equal focus on economics and the well-being of the people and places involved.

A regenerative approach to tourism is believed to promote strong economic growth, thriving operations, sociocultural vibrancy, healthy people, and a preserved natural environment for future generations. 

There were three main approaches taken into consideration during the TDMP development process.

1. Destination alignment: Industry, community, and government alignment drive the town's destination brand, responsible visitation, and revenues
2. Connection to Communities: A locals-first approach to tourism destination management with sustainable goals. The project should be approached though a lens of resident quality of life, economic prosperity, and sociocultural vibrancy.
3. Connection to the Visitor: Being visitor-friendly throughout the visitor's journey ensures that all visitors feel welcome and can access information and services that make their visit a positive experience. 

The TDMP identifies a push towards attracting what is defined in the industry as a High Value Guest. These guests tend to be those who "leave a destination better than they found them and appreciate local culture by contributing to the host community's economy." Some other attributes of a "HVG" is that they appreciate slow travel, actively seek out culture and events, engage with locals, and want to feel inspired by and learn about their surroundings.

Like HVGs, "Legendary Experiences" were identified as a factor which should be considered when promoting and improving the visitor experience. Legendary experiences are unforgettable travel experiences that reflect Wasaga Beach's characteristics, themes, and narrative. Experiences which preserve and celebrate the heritage, local cultures and traditions, natural surroundings and coastal landscape. To encourage the development of these experiences, the Town and community must invest in effective engagement, ongoing training, and capacity building with a broad base of stakeholders.