Supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, tourism and art in Vaughan

July 29, 2022 1:00 p.m.
​The City’s Economic Development department presents the 2021 Year in Review


Working in one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities, the City of Vaughan’s Economic Development department plays an important role in advancing Vaughan’s local economy. The team works to make Vaughan a place where entrepreneurship, business, tourism and art can prosper and grow. The department offers:

  • free business advisory consultations (virtual or in-person).
  • business planning support, including marketing strategies, financial forecast and cash flow, and general business development.
  • information on the development process, regulations, zoning, licensing, permits, business registration and legal structure.
  • end-to-end site selection support.
  • connections to funding sources, financing and grants.
  • connections to business professionals, organizations and resources from various levels of government.
  • research and business intelligence support.
  • business development and marketing support for tourism organizations.
  • business workshops, seminars, events and networking opportunities.

An overview of the team’s recent achievements and ongoing projects is presented in the Economic Development 2021 Year in Review – which was recently approved by Vaughan Council. The report showcases many programs and services the City offers to advance economic opportunities, including developing an environment for businesses to create jobs while investing in and growing local talent. It also outlines the department’s 2021 accomplishments, progress updates and an overview of 2022 planned initiatives.

Some 2021 highlights are as follows:

  • The City of Vaughan’s Economic Development team:
    • delivered 814 business advisory consultations.
    • answered 3,150 inquiries.
    • secured eight new business investments, resulting in nearly 700 new jobs and more than 240,000 square feet of leased or purchased spaces.
    • facilitated 32 pre-qualified site-selection inquiries.
    • provided 78 webinars to 1,568 participants.
    • assisted the start or growth of 239 businesses.
  • The Starter Company Plus program had 144 participants and 30 small businesses were selected to receive a provincial grant of $5,000.
  • Vaughan’s Summer Company program saw:
    • 209 applicants.
    • 41 students interviewed.
    • 10 students selected to receive Summer Company training and funding.
  • The 19th Annual Vaughan Business Expo presented by Allstate Canada was the City’s first virtual business expo, drawing 150 industry leaders, entrepreneurs and business experts. The event’s purpose was to help businesses grow by allowing them to make connections across the city and region, and providing an opportunity for participants to hear from industry leaders and experts across different sectors.
  • Since 2020, Tourism Vaughan has worked with the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) to adopt the Safe Travels Stamp and the POST Promise programs to support local businesses and rebuild consumer confidence. 
  • HostinVaughan.ca launched – a meeting and event planning website that provides planners with easy-to-use tools to host their next event in Vaughan.
  • Two innovative, large-scale public art installations featuring a roster of acclaimed international and Greater Toronto Area artists were unveiled at SmartVMC, launching the first of several major works planned for this creative district.

Read the full Economic Development 2021 Year in Review for additional project updates and information.

The Economic Development department plays a key part in fulfilling the City’s strategic priority of Economic Prosperity, Investment and Social Capital outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. Looking ahead, the team remains committed to maintaining the competitiveness of the local economy throughout the global pandemic and beyond. On Feb. 15, 2022, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council took the next step in supporting the business community by endorsing Advantage Vaughan, Phase 3 of the City’s economic development response to COVID-19. The plan builds off the momentum of the Vaughan Business Action Plan, approved in March 2020 as the first phase in the response efforts, and the Vaughan Business Resilience Plan, which began in June 2020. Additionally, the department will continue to support high-impact economic development projects, such as the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct, Public Art, Smart City initiatives and helping businesses and office space develop in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

To keep up with the City’s newest business resources and initiatives, sign up for the Economic Development department’s eNewsletter at vaughanbusiness.ca/enewsletters.

For updates and news as they happen, subscribe to Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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