Relocating Your Business or Family to Muskoka
Business Improvement Areas • Chamber of Commerces • Employers & Employees • Muskoka Airport • Muskoka Community Network • Muskoka Futures • Muskoka Small Business Centre • Workforce Development Board
It’s a huge undertaking to start a new business in or move your business and/or family to a new place. But some things are worth the effort, and we happen to think a move to Muskoka is almost always one of them. Around here, we all win together: Our towns and townships thrive on the success of their local businesses. That’s why local community members and interested groups have established processes and provided pathways to information that will help make the transition to Muskoka as smooth as possible. From help with securing zoning and understanding bylaws to problem solving and business incentive programs, these resources are assembled to help, from first steps to the grand opening.
It’s a huge undertaking to start a new business in or move your business and/or family to a new place. But some things are worth the effort, and we happen to think a move to Muskoka is almost always one of them. Around here, we all win together: Our towns and townships thrive on the success of their local businesses. That’s why local community members and interested groups have established processes and provided pathways to information that will help make the transition to Muskoka as smooth as possible. From help with securing zoning and understanding bylaws to problem solving and business incentive programs, these resources are assembled to help, from first steps to the grand opening.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS (BIA)
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a geographic area in a municipality that has a board of management and is set up to provide certain business promotion and improvement functions within that area. Of the more than 230 Business Improvement Areas in place across the province, Muskoka is home to three of them. Business Improvement Areas offer a self-help approach to revitalizing business districts. A BIA allows local business people and property owners to join together and with the support of the municipality, to organize, finance and carry out physical improvement and promote economic development in their region. Click the link below to learn about the different events, projects and initiatives being organized by the various Muskoka BIAs:
DOWNTOWN BRACEBRIDGE
www.downtownbracebridge.com
DOWNTOWN GRAVENHURST
www.downtowngravenhurst.ca
DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE
(Huntsville BIA)
www.downtownhuntsvilleadventures.ca
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
www.huntsvillelakeofbays.on.ca
www.bracebridgechamber.com
www.gravenhurstchamber.com
www.portsydneycoc.com
www.muskokalakeschamber.ca
www.segbay.ca
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES
Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services (MKES), a division of Fleming College, manages all employment service providers in Haliburton County, City of Kawartha Lakes, District of Muskoka, Northumberland County, and Peterborough County and City.
Serving both job seekers and employers, MKES assists our communities with locally responsive employment programs and services, with a goal to remove systemic barriers for clients and improve overall job retention. By creating more opportunities for sustainable employment, the MKES aims to build prosperity within our communities and contribute to a strong regional economy that benefits everyone.
Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services, along with District of Muskoka employment service providers (Agilec, Employment North, and YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka) are funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services (MKES), a division of Fleming College, manages all employment service providers in Haliburton County, City of Kawartha Lakes, District of Muskoka, Northumberland County, and Peterborough County and City.
Serving both job seekers and employers, MKES assists our communities with locally responsive employment programs and services, with a goal to remove systemic barriers for clients and improve overall job retention. By creating more opportunities for sustainable employment, the MKES aims to build prosperity within our communities and contribute to a strong regional economy that benefits everyone.
Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services, along with District of Muskoka employment service providers (Agilec, Employment North, and YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka) are funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
MUSKOKA AIRPORT (CYQA)
- Located in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada
- $40M annual contribution to local economy
- Corporate, government & recreational flights 365 days/year
- 6000′ x 150′ resurfaced (2015) runway
- Designated Airport of Entry by CBSA
- Esso Aviation fuel dealership
- Cottage-style Airport Terminal
- Car rental company onsite
- 50 mins to Algonquin Park
- Situated in the heart of Ontario’s resort capital
- Captivating History: training base for Norwegian Air Force during WWII
- Located in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada
- $40M annual contribution to local economy
- Corporate, government & recreational flights 365 days/year
- 6000′ x 150′ resurfaced (2015) runway
- Designated Airport of Entry by CBSA
- Esso Aviation fuel dealership
- Cottage-style Airport Terminal
- Car rental company onsite
- 50 mins to Algonquin Park
- Situated in the heart of Ontario’s resort capital
- Captivating History: training base for Norwegian Air Force during WWII
Investigating the possibility of Commercial Air Service
RT012 / Explorers’ Edge has partnered with the District of Muskoka and the Town of Gravenhurst to investigate the possibility of the introduction of CATSA security screening at the Muskoka Airport. RT012 envisions that regional air service will be a significant catalyst to tourism destination building and economic development in the region, the result of marketing to and the influx of visitors from U.S. destinations in particular.
MUSKOKA FUTURES
Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) support community economic development across Canada by assisting rural communities to strengthen and diversify their economies. Muskoka Futures (Muskoka’s CFDC) envisions a vibrant and dynamic regional economy which attracts talent, capital, expertise and knowledge, contributing to the “quality of life for all Muskoka citizens” which earns Muskoka global recognition.
Muskoka Futures’ Mission is to promote economic growth and job creation throughout Muskoka. To accomplish this, Muskoka Futures empowers entrepreneurs to succeed by offering experienced guidance and financial investment in their ventures.
Incorporated in 1989, Muskoka Futures operates throughout the District of Muskoka as a community-based, not-for-profit organization partnering with the District of Muskoka, local municipalities, businesses, individuals and other community organizations to promote sustainable economic development.
Muskoka Futures – Helping Business Thrive
MUSKOKA SMALL BUSINESS CENTRE
The Muskoka Small Business Centre (MSBC) is your leading source for business information in Muskoka and the surrounding area. Whether you are starting a business or currently own a business and are looking for support, the Muskoka Small Business Centre is there to help. MSBC is committed to assisting aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages to realize their dreams of becoming their own bosses by providing assistance and support to small businesses in both their start-up and early growth stages. Business support includes the following:
- Free and confidential business consultations
- Informational pamphlets on a wide range of business topics
- Business name searches and registrations
- Resource library & business plan preparation
- Youth and adult start up programs; access to training & mentorship
One of 57 Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) in Ontario, the Muskoka Small Business Centre exists through a partnership between the Province and the Town of Bracebridge. Serving all of Muskoka, our mandate is to help people at every stage of the business launch, ownership and growth processes. We support entrepreneurs with big ideas – helping them put their talents and practical skills to work.
The Muskoka Small Business Centre (MSBC) is your leading source for business information in Muskoka and the surrounding area. Whether you are starting a business or currently own a business and are looking for support, the Muskoka Small Business Centre is there to help. MSBC is committed to assisting aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages to realize their dreams of becoming their own bosses by providing assistance and support to small businesses in both their start-up and early growth stages. Business support includes the following:
- Free and confidential business consultations
- Informational pamphlets on a wide range of business topics
- Business name searches and registrations
- Resource library & business plan preparation
- Youth and adult start up programs; access to training & mentorship
One of 57 Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) in Ontario, the Muskoka Small Business Centre exists through a partnership between the Province and the Town of Bracebridge. Serving all of Muskoka, our mandate is to help people at every stage of the business launch, ownership and growth processes. We support entrepreneurs with big ideas – helping them put their talents and practical skills to work.
158 Manitoba Street, Bracebridge
705-646-9021
[email protected]
M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
www.muskokasmallbusiness.ca
SIMCOE MUSKOKA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce is a community directed local non-profit planning board and regional literacy network, funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). SM Skillforce acts as a neutral broker, sourcing, conducting and distributing local labour market research as well as engaging and facilitating community stakeholders in workforce development activities.
We work with Adult Literacy and Upgrading programs across Muskoka to provide local service planning and coordination, as well as Professional Development opportunities for local Adult Upgrading service providers and community stakeholders.
To remain in touch with the needs and issues of each community, SM Skillforce conducts community consultations and an annual employer survey to provide forums to hear concerns and to assist in finding grassroots solutions to specific employment and training challenges in different employment areas.
With broad public involvement, SM Skillforce provides analysis of training needs and acts as a local voice to governments on existing training and adjustment programs as well as providing direction on the need and design of new programs or services to ensure equitable access to marketable skills for a changing economy.
For more information on Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce, visit www.smskillforce.ca
How We Help Employers
Are you wondering what the workforce situation is in your area? Are you concerned about possible labour/skill shortages your industry may suffer in the future? What skills are available? Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce helps address these questions by providing workforce information and labour market planning. We regularly conduct research and release an Annual Report concerning the labour force in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka which helps to guide stakeholders as they develop plans that help address these issues proactively. Ongoing consultations in the communities of Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka helps Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce provide an overview of the local labour market and trends and issues affecting it.
How We Help Employment Seekers
While we do not directly assist job seekers in finding employment, or offer training programs, we are a source for connecting them to local employment agencies, Government agencies and career information to help them attain their ideal career. Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce is a gateway to connect job seekers to a network of people and resources in their search for employment.
How We Help Community Organizations
Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce partners with organizations in our community to address high priority workforce development issues at the local level. On any specific partnership project or event, it may act as lead partner, co-lead partner or be involved in a steering or advisory committee role. Simcoe Muskoka Skillforce can also provide information and support to proposals for new initiatives and programs where a need has been identified.
