Invest
Community Improvement Program
The Town of Halton Hills Community Improvement Plan (CIP) provides financial incentives to encourage private sector investment and revitalization within particular areas of the Town.
The CIP contains grant and loan programs to help improve the appearance and the condition of commercial buildings, encourage the conversion of upper floor space for residential use, assist with the cost of preparing necessary plans and studies and encourage the environmental clean-up and redevelopment of older abandoned industrial and commercial sites that may be contaminated.
In addition to grants and loans, the CIP includes other programs that require Council approval which include all of the tax assistance programs and the brownfield parkland dedication reduction program.
Areas eligible for CIP include:
- Guelph Street (the Georgetown Community Node located along Guelph Street, generally between Maple Avenue and Sinclair Avenue);
- Downtown Georgetown;
- Downtown Acton;
- The Georgetown GO Station Lands,
- The South Acton Special Study Area (the former Beardmore Tannery lands) and other Brownfield sites;
- Agricultural/Rural Lands;
- Georgetown Industrial Park;
- Acton Industrial Park.
For a list of the programs available in each area, view this chart.
For complete details, see the Comprehensive Community Improvement Plan.
Manufacturing Expansion Fund
The Manufacturing Expansion Fund (MEF) was established to assist with the expansion of manufacturing businesses by covering the cost of certain Town fees, including Site Plan, Site Alteration, Minor Variance, Cash in Lieu of Parkland, and fees related to obtaining Conditional Building Permits.
Initial criteria to qualify includes (other conditions may apply):
- Manufacturing use;
- Minimum 5 years in Halton Hills;
- Minimum 50 employees;
- Minimum 5,000 SF expansion.
For more information on specific incentive programs and application information contact the Economic Development Department Office
Top Reasons to Expect Success by Locating in Halton Hills
Halton Hills is one of the best placed in Canada to start and grow your business. An ideal geographical location, competitive costs, and an enviable lifestyle are just a few of the reasons why you will succeed in your business when located in Halton Hills.
Lifestyle
Halton Hills/Halton Region is one of the top places in Canada (Money Sense magazine) to enjoy life! Parks, trails, and Greenbelt preserved lands; excellent schools, community facilities and health services; restaurants and shopping (Toronto Premium Outlets) all bundled in one of the safest communities in Canada. Cultural vibrancy is linked to loyal, productive employees.
Cultural Vibrancy
Halton Hills has a thriving arts, culture and heritage scene. Increasingly, businesses are making locational and investment decisions based on quality of life factors, rather than simply on proximity to markets, space availability, space costs and proximity to suppliers. With an award-wining Cultural Master Plan in place, the Town with community partners, is actively implementing actions that are raising quality of life and leveraging the economic benefits of a vibrant cultural scene.
Location
Easy access to Toronto, Canada’s capital for innovation, business and commerce, culture, sport, education and the arts. Just a one hour drive to downtown Toronto, with a GO Transit commuter train during am/pm rush. Just 30 minutes to Pearson Airport, Canada's second largest employment zone. (Downtown Toronto being the first.) Centrally located in Ontario's Innovation Corridor (Toronto to Waterloo.)
Global Reach
Halton Hills is ideally located in the Greater Toronto Region to make doing business easy. Air, Rail and Highway infrastructure ensure easy connection to markets and services across North America and around the world. Halton Hills is just 30 minutes west of Canada’s largest airport, Toronto Pearson International; and just 40 minutes from Hamilton's Munro airport, Canada's number one airport for freight/cargo. Halton Hills southern border lies on provincial highways 401 and 407, ensuring quick and easy accessibility to both Toronto and the U.S. border. Multiple freight rail lines ensure reliable freight and passenger service.
Competitive Costs
Halton Hills offers competitive costs of doing business, including lower development charges and commercial/industrial rental rates than most Toronto Region municipalities. And being located in Ontario, Canada, which offers the lowest corporate tax rates among the G7 nations.
Educated Workforce
Highly educated, professional workforce. More than 70 per cent of the population (ages 25 to 65) has a post-secondary education. One of the most educated communities in Canada and the world. Labour pool of over 3.5 million within a one-hour drive (Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas)
Growing Sectors
Industry clusters are taking shape in Halton Hills. Key sectors include Clean-Tech, Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, and Tourism/Cultural industries . Halton Hills is home to many industry leaders including Bradford-White, CPI, Hayward Gordon, Kraft-Heinz Canada, Saputo, Sheridan Nurseries, Superior Glove, Unilock and more.
Premier Gateway and Two Downtowns
Premier Gateway is Halton Hills' new industrial park, with modern buildings adjacent to major provincial highways (401 & 407). Premier Gateway is a modern complement to Halton Hills' two other industrials areas in the townships of Georgetown and Acton. Additionally, Halton Hills enjoys two urban areas, Downtown Georgetown and Downtown Acton, both with charming streetscaping, active BIAs, and available retail/commercial space.
Patriotism
Halton Hills is Canada's Most Patriotic Town! Learn about the 2017 Most Patriotic Town Challenge and the salute from the Canadian Air Force Snowbirds precision flying team.