- Futurpreneur Canada (formerly called Canadian Youth Business Fund - CYBF)
Simcoe County has a host of organizations and resources available to assist you in locating and developing your business in the County free of charge. Visit the
County of Simcoe Economic Development website to learn more about regional business development resources
Start a Business
Some newcomers consider starting a business or becoming self-employed. In Canada, most self-employed people are professionals working as independent contractors (freelance), business owners, salespeople who work on commission, and farmers.
Before deciding to start your own business you should consider the advantages and disadvantages. Some advantages to owning your own business are the independence and freedom from routine, as well as the possible financial rewards if the business is successful. Some of the disadvantages of self-employment include less job security, no medical or dental benefits, and paying and preparing business taxes.
There are many ways for someone to become a business owner. Three common ways include starting a business from scratch, purchasing an existing business, or purchasing a franchise.
The Ontario Immigration website provides additional information about starting a business in Ontario for newcomers. Many documents are available in multiple languages.
Economic Development Offices
The Simcoe County Economic Development Office provides high-level support to local economic development offices and business development organizations across the region, ensuring all our businesses are well supported. Among the resources on their website, they provide real-time commercial real estate listings, a free online business directory, general statistics about Simcoe County, news about the local economy, and listings for federal, provincial, regional, and local resources. The County of Simcoe Economic Development Office can also provide information about the County, as well as direct you to their local counterparts when specific information and assistance is required.
Through local Economic Development Offices you can learn more about available property and businesses, government funding programs, zoning permit requirements, local business development resources, and upcoming seminars and workshops in the area.
The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.
Simcoe County Economic Development Office | 1110 Highway 26 Midhurst, ON L0L 1X0 |
| Phone: 705-726-9300 Website:
www.edo.simcoe.ca/ |
Economic Development Department City of Barrie
| 70 Collier Street 9th Floor Barrie, Ontario L4M 4T5 |
| Phone:
705-728-9850 Email:
invest@barrie.ca Website:
www.barrie.ca |
Huronia Economic Alliance
(A partnership between the Municipalities of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny and Tay) | Email:
info@investhuronia.ca Website:
www.edcns.ca |
Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury Economic Development Office | 100 Dissette St. Units 7 & 8 P.O. Box 100 Bradford, Ontario L3Z 2A7 |
| Phone: 905-775-5366 Ext 1301 Website:
www.gotobwg.ca |
Township of Essa Economic Development Office | Economic Development Centre Angus Recreation Centre 8529 County Road 10 Angus, ON L0M 1B0 |
| Phone: 705-424-4054 Email:
edc@essatownship.on.ca Website:
www.essatownship.on.ca |
Town of Innisfil Economic Development Office | 2101 Innisfil Beach Road Innisfil, ON L9S 1A1 |
| Phone: 705-436-3740 Ext 1510 Website: www.innisfil.ca |
Town of New Tecumseth Economic Development Office | P.O. Box 910 10 Wellington St. E., Alliston, Ontario L9R 1A1 |
| Phone: 705-435-3900 Ext 256 Website: www.newtecumseth.ca |
Township of Oro-Medonte | P.O. Box 100 148 Line 7 South Oro, Ontario L0L 2X0 |
| Phone: 705-487-2171 Website: www.oro-medonte.ca |
City of Orillia Economic Development Office | 50 Andrew Street South, Suite 300 Orillia, Ontario L3V 7T5 |
| Phone: 705-325-4900 Email:
edc@orillia.ca Website: www.businnessinorillia.ca |
Township of Springwater | 2231 Nursery Road Minesing, Ontario L0L 1Y2 |
| Phone: 705-728-4784 Website: www.springwater.ca |
Town of Wasaga Beach Economic Development Office | 30 Lewis Street Wasaga Beach, Ontario L9Z 1A1 |
| Phone: 705-429-3844 Ext 2285 Website:
www.wasagabeach.com |
Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs)
The Community Futures Program is an initiative of the Government of Canada. Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC) are community-based, not-for-profit organizations that offer programs and services to support community economic development and small businesses. To learn more about the Community Futures Program, visit:
www.ontcfdc.com.
There are Community Futures Development Corporations in Simcoe County that can provide guidance to you on starting your own business. These corporations can help you develop your business plan and provide guidance as your business grows. They also provide loans for innovative businesses that may not be eligible for loan financing through your regular bank.
Below is a list of Community Futures Development Corporations in Simcoe County.
The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.
Small Business Enterprise Centres
There are 57 Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) operating throughout the Province of Ontario through partnerships between the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment, and the local municipalities in which they reside. SBECs provide entrepreneurs with assistance and support to start, grow, and expand their businesses, such as:
- free consultations with a qualified business consultant
- workshops on key business topics
- free review of business plans
- consultations through a lawyer/accountant referral service
- access to current resource materials, including directories, trade indexes and books
- guidance on business structure, licenses, permits, registration, taxes, regulations and other forms and documents required to start and build a business
- import and export information
- information on patents, copyright, and trademarks
- guidance on hiring and other human resources issues
- access to funding information
- information on adopting e-commerce and new technologies
- resources for innovation
- advice on marketing, operations, cash flow and financial considerations
- mentoring and networking opportunities
- supports and programs for young entrepreneurs
To learn more about Small Business Enterprise Centers, visit
www.ontario.ca/economy or contact one of the agencies below.
The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.
Greater Barrie Business Enterprise Centre | 24 Maple Ave, 202 Barrie, ON L4N 7W4 |
| Phone: 705-720-2445 Website:
www.barriebusinesscentre.ca |
Small Business Enterprise Centre | 105 Hurontario St Collingwood, ON L9Y 3Z5 |
| Phone: 705-446-3355 Website:
www.enterprisecentre.ca/ |
Local Libraries: Business Services
The local libraries are a great place for information and resources to help you with your business. In particular, the Barrie Public Library offers business services and is supported by a business librarian. They have resources and services available to enhance your business, such as:
- Business-related books, magazines, newspapers, audiobooks, and videos
- Subscription databases, many of which are available remotely
- Specialized business databases, including PCensus and the Million Dollar Directory
- Monthly business programs, including business planning and market research
- Seminars led by community business experts
- Community Information Database: a database that includes more than 2,500 organizations and groups, to keep you in touch with the community
- Community Event Calendar: a database to see what is going on in the community
The information listed below was provided by 211 Community Connection.
Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada (formerly called Canadian Youth Business Fund - CYBF) supports young entrepreneurs at every stage of their businesses by providing expertise, financing, mentoring and business resources. They also have supports for newcomer entrepreneurs.
National Phone: 1-866-646-2922 National Website:
www.futurpreneur.ca
Local Community Partner: Business Enterprise Resource Network Phone: 705-792-0989 Toll Free: 1-866-963-7327 (ask to speak to the Futurpreneur Coordinator) |
Click
here for more information about Recruiting and Hiring Skills Immigrants.