Reports & Studies

Invest in North Simcoe —
A Region of Opportunity

Position yourself in the Heart of Georgian Bay... the flourishing community-friendly business hub bordering on the pristine shores of Georgian Bay.

Advanced Manufacturing Sector/Community Profile

Learn about the talent of North Simcoe's 66 manufacturers and the beauty of the Heart of Georgian Bay.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Economic Profile

Discover the value of Agriculture and Agri-Food in North Simcoe.

Published by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, this Guide provides an overview of issues affecting farmers today and identifies opportunities for local communities to support this untapped, and sometimes undervalued, economic sector. OFA’s 51 county and regional federations offer strong, grassroots leadership, and should be your first point of contact when addressing municipal issues affecting agricultural businesses in your community.
OFA Today provides members, industry and government with an annual report of OFA issues and activities.
Each year the Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board (SMWDB) prepares an annual Local Labour Market Plan Report identifying trends, opportunities and priorities. SMWDB looks at the areas surrounding and including Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Orillia, Barrie, Midland, Penetanguishene, Collingwood, Alliston, Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
The Simcoe County Agritourism Toolkit provides guidance for planning and developing an agritourism business in Simcoe County. If you are considering the addition of an agritourism component to your farm, the expansion of your existing operations, or just want to explore what it takes to get into the agritourism industry, then this Toolkit is for you!

The Simcoe County Agritourism Toolkit contains all the information you will need to help you decide whether agritourism is right for you. It outlines the steps you will need to take to add an agritourism component to your existing farm business or to help grow your existing agritourism business. The Toolkit is divided into four components based on a standard business development planning approach.
The Planning and Building Services Department has prepared this report to analyze the growth that has occurred in the Town of Midland in the last 18 years.
Community Report summarizing the findings of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development In-Demand Skilled Trades Project for Simcoe and Muskoka.
In early 2018 the three counties of Simcoe, Grey and Bruce began interviewing businesses for a collaborative BR+E study. The purpose of the BR+E was to investigate the needs of existing agricultural and agri-food businesses in order for effective responses to be identified and developed that would ensure these business pillars of local rural communities in the three counties stayed, grew, and collaborated, ensuring the sector became more competitive.
EDCNS created a version of the County of Simcoe individual municipal data reports corresponding with the Statistics Canada Census release.
Why Simcoe County? Low Real Estate Costs + Access to Markets + Strong Transportation Network = Growth… the overall growth outlook of the region combined with a strategic location and significant infrastructure advantages make the County of Simcoe attractive for new business investment.
Manufacturing Growth, Innovation and Prosperity for Canada is an action plan resulting from the input of more than 1,250 Canadian manufacturers and exporters. The plan defines specific recommendations to overcome challenges and create a roadmap for the future of manufacturing, to strengthen its footprint across the country, and to drive growth, innovation, wealth creation and jobs. EDCNS is a supporting partner in the Canadian Manufacturers’ and Exporters (CME) “Industrie 2030” roadmap for Canada’s manufacturing growth, innovation and prosperity.
What is an apprentice? What jobs are apprenticeable? How can I become an apprentice? These questions and many more are answered in the 2018 Edition of the Skilled Trades Handbook! Guide courtesy of Centre for Workforce Development (CFWD).