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: Council adopted the Orbit Secondary Plan in 2024 which sets the framework for development within the Orbit.  The Plan requires final approval from the County of Simcoe; and is awaiting a decision on County Official Plan Amendment 7 (COPA 7) which designates the Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) surrounding the proposed Innisfil GO Station. Staff are continuing to review and advance first phases of urban development in the Orbit.
  • 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: 2025
  • Status: In progress.
  • Progress: The Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) was expanded to Alcona as approved by Council in 2025 to assist in streamlining planning processes and approvals. Work is ongoing to expand the CPPS town wide in 2026. Cloud Permit was also implemented to streamline development review. The Housing Needs Assessment was completed which identifies the Town's current and future housing needs. The Official Plan Review is currently ongoing which broadens the range of housing typologies in urban areas.
  • 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: 2025
  • Status: In progress.
  • Progress: A project consultant was procured in 2025 and the initial background information review and community tour is complete. Community consultation will take place in January 2026 and a draft Community Improvement Plan is anticipated to be presented to Council by the end of Q2 2026.
  • 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: In progress.
  • Progress: Staff are continuing to explore grant opportunities within various levels of government, as they become available.
  • 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: The Innisfil Success Story campaign continued into 2025. A total of 6 success stories were shared broadly to highlight the successes of local businesses and the local resources which helped facilitate this success.
  • Impact: A total of 6 success stories were developed and distributed. An example of this campaign was the Shop Innisfil: Agriculture video promoting local producers and developed in response to tariff impacts. This video achieved 64,538 views.

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: This strategic action item is contingent upon additional staff support which has not yet received budgetary approval.
  • 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: Three internal visitor and consumer targeted brands and logos have been developed to support tourism related promotional activities.
  • Impact: In 2025 two of the three brands were employed. The "Taste of Innisfil: Relax. Refuel. Repeat." brand was used on a new Lakeside Dining Campaign which resulted in more than 400,000 marketing impressions and more than 9,700 engagements.  The "Shop Innisfil: Your Daytrip Destination" brand was used for a holiday shopping campaign that resulted in 155 engagements at the "Shop Innisfil" photo booth. As a result of undertaking this work internally, a total of $75,000 in Capital Funding remained unspent and can be reallocated elsewhere. 

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: In progress.
  • Progress: The Economic Development department supported engagement with businesses related to the Town’s new Master Transit Plan.
  • Impact: A total of 39 employers participated in the Transit Master Plan survey.

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 Transit Master Plan will be considered by Council in 2026 for the long term scaling up of transit in the Town.
  • Impact: Impacts are pending Council direction on the Transit Master Plan to be considered in 2026 which will generally inform asset management and key infrastructure required for implementation.