Welcome to the Innisfil Economic Development newsletter!
This month, we're excited to share the latest updates on economic growth and upcoming events in our community. From innovative startups to thriving local businesses, there’s always something to celebrate in Innisfil. The Town of Innisfil’s Economic Development team is here to support you—reach out anytime at business@innisfil.ca for general inquiries or business assistance.
Help us welcome Clover Hill Toy Co. to the Innisfil business community
Congratulations to Clover Hill Toy Co., a new traditional toy store and ice cream parlour that opened at 1 Queen St. in Cookstown! Members of our team and council were excited to attend this grand opening event on May 16 and get a first peek at all that this wonderful store has to offer to the community. Be sure to check them out next time you're in Cookstown, and please help us welcome this new business to the Innisfil business community.
Trooper Pet sets its sights on expansion
Nottawasaga Futures and DMZ Innisfil help chart the course for local veterinary company’s growth
Most successful new businesses are the product of a lot of hard work; a singular devotion to making a new idea work. They also tend to involve collaboration with founders reaching out to partners for valuable resources and advice that can help them take the next step.
That’s exactly how CEO and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Rebecca Bartley’s entrepreneurial journey has been unfolding since she first launched Trooper Pet, a mobile veterinary nursing service, five years ago. Wanting to grow her business, she was open to feedback and actively sought advice.
Read the full success story on Trooper Pet
Council endorsed the Town’s new Tourism Strategy and Asset Map
The Economic Development team has worked closely with community partners over the past year to develop the Town’s new Tourism Strategy and is excited to share that Council formally endorsed the strategy and asset map at the May 20 Council meeting. The plan focuses on growing tourism in a way that fits with Innisfil’s long-term goals and community needs. Recommendations include working more closely with tourism partners, supporting local businesses, promoting existing attractions, and improving places for visitors to stay and ways to get around. Stay tuned for next steps as the Strategy moves forward through the 2027/2028 budget process for consideration.
Read the Innisfil Tourism Strategy
Become "Made in Simcoe County" certified
The Made in Simcoe County Program is an initiative that showcases locally produced agrifood, beverages, and retail products while celebrating the people behind them.
Benefits of joining this program include:
- Listed on TSC’s website
- Featured in TSC’s organic social media posts
- Included in paid social media advertising
- Layered and featured in experiential marketing campaigns
- Featured in blog content internally or by third-party influencers
- Permission to use Made in Simcoe County logo on products
- Welcome package, including window decal and product sticker
To learn more and become Made in Simcoe County certified, visit the Made in Simcoe County resources page on Experience.Simcoe.ca.
Workforce Connect Conference 2026
Registration for the 2026 Workforce Connect Conference, taking place at Brooklea Golf and Country Club on June 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., is now open. Register here to secure your spot – space is limited!
This year’s theme is Building Resilience: Tools, Partnerships, and Practical Solutions. The event will open with a keynote by Sarah Lewis from Deloitte, exploring labour market trends and what they mean for employers in Simcoe County, and will offer a half‑day of learning and connection. See the full agenda.
County of Simcoe Employment Survey
The County of Simcoe Planning Department is continuing the Employment Survey for its third year. Five survey facilitators have been deployed throughout the County to deliver a survey consisting of approximately 23 questions to collect data including business addresses, names, hiring challenges, number of employees, future plans, etc. to better understand business needs throughout all 16 local municipalities. Innisfil businesses are expected to be contacted and surveyed at the end of July. To learn more about the County of Simcoe Employment Survey, visit simcoe.ca/EmploymentSurvey.
Resources in Response to U.S. Tariff Concerns
The Town of Innisfil is actively engaged in discussions with a number of partners regarding the impending tariffs. In particular, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is leading the charge on behalf of Canadian municipalities as it pertains to a number of tariff-related impacts, which may include, but are not limited to municipal law enforcement, import and export of goods and services, impacts to municipal procurement and infrastructure projects, and potential impacts on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Mayor Dollin, Council, and Economic Development staff are participating in these conversations and sharing the feedback of local business stakeholders.
In the meantime, the County of Simcoe Economic Development Office has created a dedicated webpage with comprehensive Tariff Resources to help businesses navigate potential changes. Also found on the site is a short tariff impact assessment created in collaboration with the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus.