The Objective
Having a strong, growing, and diversified tax base is a sign of a healthy and prosperous community. We strive to constantly meet this goal by ensuring Wasaga Beach is a place where people want to live, visit, and invest.
Achievements and Milestones
New businesses
Throughout this term of council we've seen a number of new businesses open with more on the way. These new businesses increase the tax base and result in job creation that supports our economy.
New businesses include the following:
- Wasaga's Curry and Cocktail.
- Twisted Indian.
- Cannabis Cove.
- Horn Dawgs BBQ.
- Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio.
- Star Buds Cannabis Co.
- Georgian Bay Recreation.
- Cannabis Xpress.
- M&M Food Market Express.
- Guac Mexi Grill.
- Rustuk Ink.
- Pharmasave.
- Health Wellness Industries Inc.
- Chuck's Roadhouse.
- Pizza Hut.
- ...plus a variety of others.
New businesses coming soon
- Burger King and Petro Canada.
- A&W.
- Gateway Casino.
Economic Development activity
Through our robust economic development services, we are helping facilitate a climate that ensures a healthy tax base.
We initiated a business visitation program where an economic development officer visits individual businesses and advises of programs and supports.
Through these visits, our staff maintain a dialogue with owners and operators, while ensuring they have valuable information that can help them be successful. These site visits also help us identify how the town can support businesses.
As part of our Economic Development Strategy, the town has made significant progress:
- Established a Shop Local/Support Local campaign that includes ongoing digital, print, and radio messaging.
- Launched a monthly business newsletter.
- Established a COVID-19 Business Recovery Portal.
- Established a Wasaga Beach Business Directory.
In 2022 we will work on the following:
- Establish a commercial vacancy inventory.
- Work with the County of Simcoe, helping implement their economic development strategy.
- Undertake an investment readiness coaching and training exercise.
- Continue to streamline the industrial/commercial development approvals process.
- Ensure that employment lands are preserved for future business investment through development policies.
Other economic development initiatives under way this term:
- Branding Strategy - council authorized staff to start work on a town branding exercise earlier in 2021. Read the related staff report. A successful branding strategy will redefine the town's image and showcase the town's unique identity, which separates it from other municipalities. Work to create the new brand will start in 2022 and subject to council approval the implementation plan will start in the spring/summer.
- Wayfinding Strategy - earlier in 2021 council approved a Comprehensive Wayfinding Strategy. The strategy identifies recommended wayfinding signs in town. The strategy outlines a wayfinding system that reinforces the sense of place, identity, connection, and navigability. Review the strategy. A phased implementation of the strategy is under way.
The Branding Strategy and the Wayfinding Strategy are two great examples of investments we are making to improve our community and in turn support the private sector.
Visit our economic development page to learn about the many other supports we have in place.
Development of our business park
The town is in discussion with Zancor so the company can start the development process. These lands are in the west end off Ramblewood Drive. This will mean new business opportunities and additions to our tax base.
New casino coming to Wasaga Beach
Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Ltd. is building a new casino in our west end off Lyons Court and this will add to our tax base, create a dedicated revenue stream for the town, and result in new good paying jobs. Construction started in the fall of 2021. The new Playtime brand casino will be 24,488 square feet with a restaurant and gaming area. Visit our project page to learn more.
Retail activity
A number of new businesses have opened in town filling available commercial retail space. Nearly 100 per cent of space is occupied, indicating a robust economy. New commercial development is being directed to the established nodes in the community.
Film activity
Facilitated commercial filming opportunity in 2020.
Supported in principle a onetime contribution of $25,000 to sponsor 'The Adventures of Tikki the Wonder Dog', which will feature Wasaga Beach in the story. 2021 and 2022 project.
Hotel and motel accommodation
Discussions are happening with major hotel chains to establish new places to stay in town, including a hotel at the casino site in the west end.
How else are we helping the private sector?
By ensuring we have a community where people want to live. See Priority 3 to learn more about the exciting new housing developments happening in Wasaga Beach.
See Priority 7 to learn about our healthy financial position.
Contact Information
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