York Region Economic Development Business Support
The York Region Business Recovery Support Partnership comprises York Region, economic development teams from our nine cities and towns, local Chambers of Commerce / Boards of Trade, the Workforce Planning Board of York Region, York Region Business Coalition and ventureLAB.
Below are some of the highlighted activities and achievements undertaken by York Region Economic Development, in addition to other initiatives focused on our goals from the 2020-2023 York Region Economic Development Action Plan.
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CRISIS RESPONSE SUPPLY CHAIN / BUSINESS ADVISORY / AGRI-FOOD / TOURISM, ARTS & CULTURE
CRISIS RESPONSE SUPPLY CHAIN
The York Region Business Recovery Support Partnership connects economic development stakeholders to address the COVID-19 pandemic and support businesses. The Crisis Response Supply Chain Sub-Group worked to procure Personal Protective Equipment and connect businesses with suppliers.
Supported York Region’s internal supply chain working group
Initiated manufacturing supply chain resilience study in collaboration with Supply Chain Canada and local municipalities
Companies evaluated to help supply PPE to York Region Public Health
Assisted in awarding a contract to a local distillery to provide York Region with hand sanitizer
Created a listing of local manufacturers of PPE to support businesses and Regional operations
Worked with a variety of industry experts and external stakeholders to support study design
BUSINESS ADVISORY
The York Region Business Recovery Support Partnership connects economic development stakeholders to address the COVID-19 pandemic and support businesses. The Business Advisory Sub-Groups worked to deliver immediate support to businesses through consultation and other programs.
Leveraged from the Innovation Investment Fund to provide direct COVID-19 support to small businesses
Regional business advisory engagements and consultations conducted virtually
Completed COVID-19 Economic Impact Analysis study in collaboration with The Conference Board of Canada
Visits to Economic Strategy’s COVID-19 business resource web pages
Shared safety, operational and other best practices between group members
Impressions of Economic Strategy’s COVID-19 and other business focused social media content
Supported the four Small Business Enterprise Centres with COVID-19 recovery funding
Completed a Regional Business Impact and Recovery Survey with 1,000+ respondents
AGRI-FOOD
The York Region Business Recovery Support Partnership connects economic development stakeholders to address the COVID-19 pandemic and support businesses. The Agriculture and Agri-Food Sub-Group collaborated to identify and address imminent challenges and provide support to the sector.
Developed a PPE supplier directory
Enabled mobile COVID-19 testing at 17 farm locations throughout York Region
COVID-19 farm spot-check inspections completed by York Region Public Health
Completed a business recovery accelerator webinar series for food processors
Provided COVID-19 guidance and information for safe farm and food operations
Shared health and safety protocols and best industry practices between group members
Completed a temporary foreign worker campaign to raise awareness and support the sector
Developed a COVID-19 health and safety webinar for farm operations
TOURISM, ARTS, AND CULTURE
The York Region Business Recovery Support Partnership connects economic development stakeholders to address the COVID-19 pandemic and support businesses. The Tourism, Arts and Culture Sub-Group worked to understand challenges and provide support to the sector through a tourism marketing campaign called #ReadyWhenYR. The campaign was designed to instill consumer confidence and encourage residents to safely explore York Region.
Launched a new tourism campaign website: readywhenyr.com
Shared safety, operational and other best practices between group members
Developed 5 videos to capture York Region attractions for the campaign
Impressions (views) across all social media channels using #ReadyWhenYR
#ReadyWhenYR posts across all social media channels
Unique individuals were reached across all social media channels
Engagements with campaign posts, including likes, comments and shares
Visitors to the readywhenyr.com campaign website
Impact of COVID-19 on York Region's Economy & Business Community
Small businesses in York Region
According to Statistics Canada data, small business establishments [defined by the Canadian government as having 1-99 jobs] account for 98% of all businesses in York Region; the vast majority (90% of total) have 19 employees or less. The top sectors for small business establishments locally include Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (9,400 business establishments or 18% of total), followed by the construction sector (6,200 businesses or 12% of total) and retail (4,700 businesses or 9% of total). Over half of the small business establishments in the retail sector employ less than 5 people each.
Additional support was provided to the small business community technology community through the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund
Staff worked with ventureLAB to reposition a portion of the $100,000 York Region Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) managed by ventureLAB to include a COVID-19 support stream. This resulted in a total of $50,000 being awarded during the Made In York Region event on December 3, 2020 to three small tech companies that pivoted to provide COVID-19 related business solutions. The companies were:
- Eaigle: developing artificial intelligence solutions to protect employees during COVID-19
- Hotspots Outdoor Heat: developing heated patio furniture to extend the outdoor dining season
- Infield Solutions: developing connected “cubbies” for a curb-side pickup and delivery management system driven by a mobile app
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES // 2019 – 2021
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Characteristics, 3-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality, February 2021
*CMA – Census Metropolitan Area
INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET VACANCY & AVAILABILITY RATES IN YORK REGION // 2016 – 2021
Source: CoStar, March 2021
Statistics Note: Industrial properties include flex building space
OFFICE REAL ESTATE MARKET VACANCY & AVAILABILITY RATES IN YORK REGION // 2016 – 2021
Source: CoStar, March 2021
Statistics Note: Office building space at a minimum of 20,000 sq. ft.
