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!
Discover Lakeside Dining and the Taste of Innisfil
The Town of Innisfil is excited to build upon the success of last year’s Discover Lakeside Dining tourism campaign with the new Taste of Innisfil campaign. Throughout July and August, our Economic Development team will be promoting all that Innisfil has to offer to day trip tourists throughout the summer! From lakeside dining to hidden local gems, the Taste of Innisfil map highlights local independent restaurants and other summer activities including shopping, trails, and a variety of Innisfil adventures.
Members of our Economic Development team have already stopped into many local businesses to drop off promotional material including campaign rack cards and maps. If your business has not yet received any printed marketing material but would like to support this campaign and help us further market Innisfil as a tourism destination, please email Amber Elliott, Economic Development Champion at aelliott@innisfil.ca to learn more.
Taste of Innisfil Campaign and Map
Support the Troy Scott Community Fridges
Support the Troy Scott Community Fridges and demonstrate your business's commitment to making Innisfil a stronger, healthier community. Your donation of fresh food, donation of a fridge fill, or workplace food drive helps keep three community fridges stocked with nutritious food, available 24/7.
Troy Scott Community Fridge supporters make a meaningful local impact while being recognized for their community leadership. Together, we can ensure that every neighbour has access to healthy food when they need it.
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 and beginning of August.
Simcoe County 2027 Skilled Trades Fair – Exhibitor Opportunity
The County of Simcoe Economic Development Office is inviting skilled trades employers, industry partners, and employment service providers to showcase their opportunities and connect with future talent at the 2027 Skilled Trades Fair, scheduled to take place at the Georgian College Midland Campus on April 29, 2027. This interactive, community-focused event will bring together students, job seekers, and career changers who are eager to explore careers in the skilled trades. More details on exhibitor registration coming soon!
Funding Opportunities
Below are a few recent funding announcements that we would like to share with the Innisfil business community:
Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) – Direct Delivery Stream
The Build Communities Strong Fund is investing in a wide range of infrastructure projects that support economic prosperity, housing, sport, education, health, transit, and climate adaptation.
As part of this national initiative, Canada’s regional development agencies are delivering $1 billion over four years through the BCSF Local Impact Stream, a part of the BCSF Direct Delivery stream, to support community infrastructure projects that strengthen communities and advance regional economic development. It was recently announced that the Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream is now open in southern Ontario.
For more information, please visit the following pages:
- Build Communities Strong Fund
- News Release: Build Communities Strong Fund Local Impact Stream in southern Ontario
- Build Communities Strong Fund - Local Impact Stream in southern Ontario
Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant
Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grants help organizations, municipalities, and First Nations improve how they deliver programs and services that directly benefit community members. Applicants can apply for funding to carry out projects focused on:
- organizational planning
- piloting a new program
- building their capacity to plan for future programs and services
The grant application period is from July 22, 2026 to August 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Resources in Response to U.S. Tariff Concerns
The Town of Innisfil is actively engaging in discussions with 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 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.