Explore progress on objectives related to Goal 4 of the Innisfil Economic Development Strategic Plan: Enhance community amenities and assets.

Facilitate opportunities to increase diversity of housing options to ensure community sustainability.

Action 46

Continue to advocate with developers and landowners to secure new, diverse residential housing projects with a focus on the identified lands around the planned GO Station by showcasing investment opportunities.

  • Timeline: Ongoing
  • Status: In Progress
  • Progress: Staff continues responding to Provincial and County Requests for Information (RFIs) and exploring opportunities to develop new development leads. Staff provided a presentation to the Barrie District Association of Realtors in March 2024.
  • Impact: Impact will be presented upon project completion.

Action 47

Streamline planning processes and approvals and prioritize rental, high density, mixed use, 1-bedroom, and young family housing options.

  • Timeline: This action is targeted to begin in 2025.
  • Status: Not yet initiated.
  • Progress: N/A
  • Impact: Impact to be presented on project completion.

Action 48

As part of the CIP program (refer to Action 15), support the creation of mixed-use and accessory residential development in new commercial buildings and developments in Alcona, Cookstown and Stroud.

  • Timeline: This action is targeted to begin in 2025.
  • Status: Not yet initiated.
  • Progress: N/A
  • Impact: Impact to be presented on project completion.

Action 49

Advocate for ongoing provincial and/or federal funding to support a local response to areas of challenge including housing and transit.

  • Timeline: Ongoing
  • Status: Not yet initiated.
  • Progress: N/A
  • Impact: Impact to be presented on project completion.

Launch and support initiatives to create a vibrant environment for all age segments (including immigrant, newcomers, students, and remote workers).

Action 50

Work with media partners and post-secondary to create a pipeline of success stories to showcase local business and entrepreneurial achievements to maintain Innisfil’s reputation as a business and innovation friendly community. A diverse range of mediums should be considered including press releases, blogs, photos, videos, interactive maps, and speaking opportunities.

  • Timeline: Ongoing
  • Status: In Progress
  • Progress: A new business success story campaign was launched to highlight the successes of local businesses while also demonstrating business support programs and partners.
  • Impact: A total of 7 stories were authored and published through print and video format, through which 18 businesses were featured.

Action 51

Through collaboration with the County of Simcoe Local Immigration Partnership support implementation of the County of Simcoe newcomer strategy in order to provide support, resources, and guidance to new members to help them feel welcomed, valued, and productive in their new environment. As part of the program, highlight the success stories of individuals who have moved to the town and tapped into local resources in order to start or grow new businesses.

  • Timeline: This action is targeted to begin in 2026.
  • Status: Not yet initiated.
  • Progress: N/A
  • Impact: Impact to be presented on project completion.

Action 52

Support local retail businesses participation in online ‘shop local’ efforts such as Digital Mainstreet.

  • Timeline: Ongoing
  • Status: In Progress
  • Progress: A new Shop Innisfil campaign was developed to encourage shopping at local businesses. The campaign included a promotional video, marketing collateral and launch event at Fresh Air Flicks. The Shop Innisfil commercial was promoted through the Economic Development social channels and was also shown at Cineplex theatres in Barrie.
  • Impact: The 2024 campaign highlighted 35 local businesses, 8 community venues and 7 community organizations. The Shop Local Innisfil commercial resulted in 113,585 impressions on social media and 54,334 page engagements.

Enhance the networks that enable people to move within and between InnisfiI's neighbourhoods.

Action 53

Through implementation of the 2023 Transportation Master Plan, support the further development of active transportation infrastructure to provide quicker links for individuals to access Innisfil’s popular destinations. Further explore the e-scooter programs that can be utilized on the proposed cycling route around Lake Simcoe through the 2024 Transit Master Plan Study.

  • Timeline: Ongoing
  • Status: Not yet initiated.
  • Progress: N/A
  • Impact: Impact to be presented on project completion.

Action 54

Through development and implementation of the 2023 Transportation Master Plan and 2024 Transit Master Plan Study explore opportunities to enhance the Town’s existing transportation program (Uber) and introduce new and innovative rural solutions to address workforce transportation needs within and between communities, including connections to and from the City of Barrie. This may include investments in infrastructure to support further cycle route expansions and advocacy and support for Simcoe County Transportation Master Plan for expansions of the LINX Program.

  • Timeline: Ongoing
  • Status: In Progress
  • Progress: The 2025 Transit Master Plan was initiated in January 2025.
  • Impact: Impact to be presented on project completion.