Vaughan means business – TAP into opportunity in one of Canada’s fastest growing cities.
This article was contributed by Yuelin Ge, Economic Development Co-ordinator, Vaughan Economic Development
As economic developers, we know location is one of the most important factors for starting or expanding businesses. That’s because location means so much more than a business’ mailing address. Location can also mean proximity to labour forces, transportation networks and business communities – key elements for a business’ success.
Vaughan-based businesses benefit from access to a highly educated and skilled workforce, a globally connected transportation system and industry leading business communities.
Businesses looking to start or grow can access all this and more within the city’s eight key opportunity areas:
Is your business producing cutting-edge research, products or services in the Information and Communications Technology sector? Be amongst your peers in Vaughan’s Innovation Corridor, where you can benefit from being around some of Canada’s top universities and technology talent. With links to major technology companies, including Dellcom Aerospace, Drone Delivery Canada, Sherwood Electromotion Inc., Teledyne Optech, Mobile Climate Control and more, you’ll be in good company.
Vaughan’s Next-Generation Auto Cluster
Join a growing business community of parts suppliers and manufacturers as well as an emerging business-to-consumer electric vehicle retail area. Vaughan’s Next-Generation Auto Cluster is anchored by industry leaders and tier-one suppliers such as Magna International, Martinrea International, Multimatic, Hanon Systems, Litens Automotive Group and more. With a growing vehicle retail base of Tesla Motors, Rivian and Lucid Motors in the area, this cluster also offers significant opportunities for next-generation automotive solutions, including supporting the electric vehicle demand.
Promenade Centre and Yonge Steeles Centre
We know urban intensification also means more opportunities for retail, office, finance, insurance, real estate businesses and more. The Promenade Centre and Yonge Steeles Centre have been identified for mid-rise, high-rise and mixed-use urban development, and are projected to be home to a total future population of up to 56,470 residents. Join a community of 235 businesses and growing, including Reena, Verve Senior Living‘s Four Elms Retirement Residence and Concord Fresh Food Centre, and benefit from existing and planned amenities, parks and transit improvements to the area.
If you’re a business looking for a large industrial market, a gateway to the Greater Toronto Economic Region and significant goods-movement infrastructure, look no further than the VEZ. More than one-third of the land in the VEZ is yet to be developed, offering one of the largest supplies of vacant employment lands in the Greater Toronto Area.
Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC)
For businesses searching for office and retail opportunities, including significant opportunities in grocery or specialty food retailers, the VMC is the location for you. As Vaughan’s emerging downtown core, we continue to establish a reputation as the premier destination for talent and business. Companies like KPMG, Telecon, GFL Environmental Inc. and PwC think so too. The VMC is home to more than 1,500 businesses employing nearly 29,500 workers and a premier destination for business and talent.
If your business is looking to provide work-life balance to retain high-quality employees, Vaughan can help. By choosing to locate your business in the Vaughan Mills Centre, you get access to a hub for shopping and entertainment – featuring top attractions like Vaughan Mills, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and Canada’s Wonderland. Locating here, you’ll join leading companies with regional or national head offices in the area, including TOK Group, Miele, Pfaff Automotive Partners, Recipe Unlimited Corporation and Forté Performance Systems, among others.
Situated between prime conservation areas, heritage preservation districts, historic main streets and some of the city’s best recreation amenities, the Vaughan Village Corridor attracts talent and businesses supporting the city’s thriving creative industries. If you want to start or expand your business in film, art, retail, food or hospitality sectors, the Vaughan Village Corridor is the place for you!
Major Mackenzie Healthcare Corridor
The Major Mackenzie Healthcare Corridor connects the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct (PDF), Mackenzie Health’s Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital – Canada’s first smart hospital – and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital with future community health assets like the North Maple Regional Park, which promotes community-wide health benefits for businesses and residents. This corridor will be a destination of choice for research, education, innovation and commercialization. It will also provide services in health, healthcare delivery and informatics, and wellness, focusing on community care and active living.
Over the years, Vaughan’s Economic Development team has helped companies find the opportunities they need – but don’t just take our word for it. Hear from Michael St. Pierre, former Executive Vice President and General Manager of LGC’s Toronto Research Chemicals:
“We looked around Ontario and the GTA and chose Vaughan as our location for four reasons, the first one being Vaughan wanted us there. From the Mayor through the Economic Development team, through the city planning and local partners, it was quite clear they’re working as one team and wanted us there. The second reason was for accessibility. The 400-series highways, Pearson Airport, public transportation, and access to schools around the GTA were fabulous and what we needed. The third part was the quality of life for our employees — we wanted to pick a spot where people wanted to live and looking at the housing plan, the long-term range for Vaughan is a place we thought we’d want to be. And lastly, the ecosystem — the west side of the GTA has lots of life-science businesses, and Vaughan is committed to bringing even more to the city through the Vaughan Healthcare [Centre] Precinct.”
Learn more about how and, most importantly, where to start or grow your business in Vaughan. Reach out to the Economic Development team, for support with business, real estate and demographic information, highly customized end-to-end site selection assistance, planning and zoning by-law information and more! Visit us at vaughanbusiness.ca.