Business Resources

The Township of Springwater believes in the value of community partnerships. Local business partners, connections and resources can help your organization from start to growth through the efficient use of funding, creation of common goals and sense of community.

Partners, connections and resources

We're proud partner with a variety of supportive organizations.

Elmvale Business Improvement Area

The Elmvale Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of business and property owners who work together to support growth and development in the Elmvale area. Established in 2012, the BIA works with their members, Springwater Council and other stakeholders to ensure downtown Elmvale continues to be a dynamic area of great shopping, dining, professional services, cultural opportunities and architectural interest.

County of Simcoe - Economic Development Office

The County's Economic Development Office assists with the attraction, retention, and expansion of businesses and business opportunities throughout Simcoe County. The office works with the region's sixteen lower-tier municipalities, the Cities of Barrie and Orillia, and with regional service providers to help local businesses thrive and grow.

Destination Ontario

Destination Ontario is the marketing arm of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. By tapping into Destination Ontario's sophisticated research, international marketing expertise and comprehensive advertising and promotional campaigns, tourism operators and businesses reach markets that otherwise may not be available to them. There's a wide range of exciting opportunities available for partners—large and small—in all markets.

Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre

The Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre is a focal point for your entrepreneurial endeavours in Central Ontario. Based at Georgian College in Barrie, the Centre offers students, faculty, staff and community-based entrepreneurs services and supports to help speed their business ideas to the marketplace. To help entrepreneurs clear the business and technology hurdles they may face, the Centre provides:

Entrepreneurial training
Connections
Access to funding
Mentoring

The Centre can link entrepreneurs with many strategic partners and advisors as they transition from concept to startup to first customer and beyond.

North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation

The North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation (NSCFDC) is supported by the Government of Canada and governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors. NSCFDC helps small and medium businesses access services and capital, enhancing the community’s economic and employment growth through community-based planning and economic development initiatives.

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) provides policy and resources related to the agriculture and food sectors, and more broadly, rural Ontario. ‎Resources include:

Commodity, export and business development staff for agri-food related businesses
Funding programs
Economic development advisory support for municipalities and not-for-profits

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a school to work program that opens the door for students to explore apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program. Students have an opportunity to become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified journey persons in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas.

Regional Tourism Organization 7

Regional Tourism Organization (RTO) 7 consists of Bruce County, Grey County and Simcoe County. They provide strategic and collaborative leadership to build, sustain and grow tourism in Bruce-Grey-Simcoe. RTO 7 is one of 13 RTOs in Ontario that receives annual government funding to lead tourism planning, marketing and development in their respective regions.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit assists local business owners/operators keep their workplaces, employees, clients and customers healthy.

The Health Unit and COVID-19

The Stop the Spread Business Information Line is now open at 1-888-444-3659 to answer questions from businesses regarding COVID-19 emergency measures.

In addition to this help line, the Health Unit provides a number of great resources for local businesses to ensure they are operating safely during the pandemic, including information on mandatory face coverings, guides for safety plans and public signage template.

Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board

Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board (SMWDB) is one of 26 community-directed, non-profit local planning boards across Ontario. SMWDB:

Sources, conducts and distributes local labour market research
Engages and facilitates community stakeholders in workforce development activities
Conducts community consultations and an annual employer survey to hear concerns
Assists in finding solutions to specific employment and training challenges in a variety of sectors
Acts as a local voice to governments on existing training and adjustment programs and provides direction on the need and design of new programs or services

Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia

The Small Business Centre encourages and supports entrepreneurship in Simcoe County and the cities of Barrie and Orillia by being a one-stop source for all of your small business needs.