The Town of Bracebridge is located in the heart of Muskoka, a world-class tourism destination that has been highlighted in National Geographic’s 2011 Top Ten Summer Destinations. Situated just 2 hours north of Toronto, Bracebridge is home to approximately 17,300 permanent residents and an additional 7,700 residents during the cottage season.

Bracebridge offers its citizens strong construction, niche manufacturing, hospitality, tourism and professional services sectors along with diversified social, recreational and cultural resources. The community is considered the political, cultural, and economic capital of the region. The following regional organizations are situated in Bracebridge: administrative offices of the District Municipality of Muskoka, the provincial courthouse, head offices for Trillium Lakeland District School Board, and South Muskoka Regional Hospital, to name a few.

• Zero Municipal Development Charges: Prior to July 3, 2014, Bracebridge’s non-residential development charge rate was $14.63/m². Today it is ZERO. The District of Muskoka’s non-residential DC rate can be found here. Significant cost savings are now available when developing in the Town of Bracebridge.
• Business Investment Strategy: A variety of grants and/or interest free loans are available through the Town’s comprehensive Community Improvement Plan (CIP). A Tax Increment Grant is available to commercial property owners whose municipal property taxes have increased as a result of substantial development, re-development, construction or reconstruction of an eligible building or property within the designated areas of the Town. There are also grant and loan programs available for existing commercial buildings throughout the community.
• Connectivity: Residents and businesses in the urban core can access the fastest, most reliable fibre internet technology in Canada with speeds up to 1000 Mbps and unlimited usage.
• Streamlined Site Plan Approval Process: The Town of Bracebridge has streamlined its site plan approval process to assist new investors in navigating the municipal approval process. Site plan applications can be approved in as little as 3 weeks. To increase the fast tracking of the development approval process, building permit applications can be submitted concurrently with the site plan application.

IN ADDITION TO THESE GREAT INCENTIVES, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER RESOURCES TO MAKE YOUR MOVE TO BRACEBRIDGE EASIER:

• Small Business Support: If you are starting a small business or looking to expand an existing one, there are many resources available to assist you, including:
  • Muskoka Small Business Centre is a one stop resource for one-on-one business coaching, financing advice, and expansion planning. They will also provide you with assistance developing your business plan and launching your small business.
  • Muskoka Futures, a Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), provides support for business plan development as well as loans for start-ups and expansions.
  • There are local employment services agencies that provide assistance free of charge to local employers. These organizations will generate a list of potential employees, qualify their skills, filter out employees for interviews and assist with the hiring process.