Ideally situated just north of the Greater Toronto Area, stretching from the shores of Lake Simcoe to Georgian Bay, Simcoe County's combination of location, lifestyle and opportunity makes it a great place to live and do business. The region's diverse communities and natural amenities inspire residents and the business community.
Location
Simcoe County is located in Central Ontario. It is an ideal location that allows our business community to serve northern and southern Ontario, including three of Canada's largest urban centres, as well as several major U.S. metropolitan areas.
A large portion of Simcoe County is serviced by major highways, further facilitating quick movement of goods across the province, country, and into the U.S. marketplace. Many of the communities in Simcoe County are located directly along Provincial Highway 400, while others have quick access to the highway through 850 kilometres of well-kept county roads. It is also important to note that Simcoe County's location has a marketplace of approximately 7 million people within a three-hour drive of our borders. The County also has rail and airport access.
Easy Access to International Markets
Want to conduct international business? Simcoe County combines perfect location with a no-hassle Lake Simcoe Regional Airport—home to a Canada Customs Office and commercial-length runway—and is located less than 2.5 hours away from several 24-hour U.S. border crossings.
Furthermore, businesses in Simcoe County have access to major domestic and international marketplaces, connecting them to more than 130 million people, all within one day's drive.
Business Success
With more than 16,000 companies, the business community in Simcoe County is diverse and growing. These businesses are supported by a host of resources, including 11
Chambers of Commerce, four
Community Futures Development Corporations, two
Small Business Enterprise Centres, a Business Incubator, and many more business support organizations. Visit the County of Simcoe Economic Development website for more detailed information on local and external resources:
http://edo.simcoe.ca/programs
Simcoe County is home to internationally known institutions like Casino Rama, Georgian College, Canadian Forces Base Borden, Lakehead University, and the Ontario Provincial Police Headquarters.
Honda of Canada Manufacturing established itself in Simcoe County in 1986 and continues growing its operations. However, automotive is just one of many industry sectors that thrive within the county. From plastics and glass manufacturing to pharmaceuticals and aggregate resources, Simcoe County has a diverse economic base. Agri-business is a diverse multi-faceted industry and farmland in the region, including a section of the Holland Marsh in Bradford West Gwillimbury, is among the best in all of Canada.
Tourism is a vital industry in Simcoe County, providing a diversity of jobs and economic impact in a variety of sectors, including accommodation, restaurants, destinations, events, and retail. Each year Simcoe County plays host to more than 6.7 million visitors who contribute more than $570 million to our economy. The region is renowned as one of the province's premier outdoor playgrounds.
Quality of Life
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of 31,000 acres of County-owned Forests; enjoy the splendour of Wasaga Beach, the world's longest freshwater beach; spend a day at one of the area's many ski resorts or test your skills at an award-winning golf course.
Long known as Central Ontario's outdoor playground, the opportunities for fun and recreation for you and your family are endless. Situated amongst picturesque rolling hills between gorgeous Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe, there are countless opportunities for amusement both on land and in the water.
The area not only attracts residents looking for lifestyle options but also industry seeking opportunity for growth and a qualified workforce. Simcoe County boasts excellent regional health-care and education facilities, vibrant and unique rural and urban communities, and a host of leisure and recreation opportunities. You'll find what you're looking for here, in Simcoe County.