Welcome to the Innisfil Economic Development newsletter!  

This month, we're excited to share the latest updates on economic growth and upcoming events in our community. From innovative startups to thriving local businesses, there’s always something to celebrate in Innisfil. The Town of Innisfil’s Economic Development team is here to support you—reach out anytime at business@innisfil.ca for general inquiries or business assistance.  

DMZ Innisfil 2025 Program Applications now open

Are you ready to focus on growing your business this fall? Apply to join the 2025 DMZ Innisfil Startup Incubator and Business Accelerator programs, free business support programs built to help local entrepreneurs succeed.  

By participating in either the DMZ Innisfil Startup Incubator or DMZ Innisfil Business Accelerator programs you will work 1:1 with your coach and mentors to develop and execute a growth plan for your business. Along with this, you’ll gain access to DMZ Innisfil All Access events and networking opportunities.

Group of past DMZ Innisfil program members working together on a team building workshop which entrepreneurs utilized to them return to work and implement team building strategies within their own businesses.
Interested in applying to this fall's intake of DMZ Innisfil programs? Register for our Information Session coming up on July 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m where our team will share more information about each DMZ Innisfil program, help you determine which program is best for your business, and answer all of your burning questions. 

Register to join the DMZ Innisfil Information Session

Learn more about DMZ Innisfil Programs

Innisfil Fall Tourism Challenge – Last chance to register! 

Innisfil Fall Tourism Challenge Event Poster

You’re running out of time to register your business to get involved in the upcoming Innisfil Fall Tourism Challenge. The application deadline is July 4, 2025

The Town of Innisfil Economic Development Office has challenged local businesses to a new Fall Tourism Challenge to attract more visitors to the area. Local retailers, restaurateurs, and tourism operators are invited to collaborate on developing new experience packages in return for the chance to be featured in a new fall marketing campaign valued at more than $5,000. 

The Innisfil Fall Tourism Challenge is a unique experience for local businesses to work together on the common goal of attracting more visitors to the area. Eligible visitor experiences must include a partnership between two or more Innisfil-based businesses and take place within the Town of Innisfil during October. Examples of eligible experiences might include a local woodworker who pairs with a food producer to deliver a charcuterie workshop, or an artist who partners with a restaurant for an autumn-themed ‘paint and sip’ event. The top 10-12 experiences will be promoted through a dedicated marketing campaign, which will begin in early September and run through the end of October. 

Apply now 

Help us welcome Innisfil Tax and Accounting to Innisfil

Mayor Dollin and staff of Innisfil Tax and Accounting celebrating the businesses grand opening.

Members of our Economic Development team had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of Innisfil Tax and Accounting this month! Please join us in welcoming the Innisfil Tax and Accounting team to the Innisfil business community. We wish them all the best and continued success within our community. 

Simcoe County Employment Survey 

The County of Simcoe is continuing its two-year pilot project to conduct an Employment Survey after it was launched in the spring of 2024. The employment survey will gather information and capture data regarding the number of businesses and jobs within the County of Simcoe. The data collected will help the County of Simcoe and local municipalities gain a better understanding of employment areas, establish a baseline of existing businesses, identify employment trends, and acquire a deeper knowledge of the local economy. 

Dedicated County staff will visit businesses across the region to seek participation in the survey. Businesses that operate within the County of Simcoe are also encouraged to send an e-mail to employsimcoe@simcoe.ca to receive a unique survey link for their workplace. For full details on the survey please visit simcoe.ca/employmentsurvey

2025 Newcomer Recognition Awards  

The Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership is pleased to announce that the 2025 Newcomer Recognition Awards nominations are now officially open. Please visit the County's website to access the online form and to learn more about the 9 award categories. 

Business Ice Storm Assistance Program 

The Business Ice Storm Assistance program is an application-based program that provides one-time support to small businesses, small farms, and not-for profit organizations that incurred damage from the ice storm that started on March 28, 2025 that is not covered by insurance. 

The application deadline for this program is October 31, 2025. 

To determine eligibility under the program, potential applicants should carefully review the program information, including guidelines and application form on the Business Ice Storm Assistance website.   

Any questions about the BISA program can be sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing program staff at DisasterAssistance@Ontario.ca 

Resources in Response to U.S. Tariff Concerns 

The Town of Innisfil is actively engaged in discussions with a number of partners regarding the impending tariffs. In particular, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, is leading the charge on behalf of Canadian municipalities as it pertains to a number of tariff related impacts, which may include, but are not limited to municipal law enforcement, import and export of goods and services, impacts to municipal procurement and infrastructure projects, and potential impacts on small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s). Mayor Dollin, Council, and Economic Development staff are participating in these conversations and sharing the feedback of local business stakeholders.   

In the meantime, the County of Simcoe Economic Development Office has created a dedicated webpage with comprehensive Tariff Resources to help businesses navigate potential changes. Also found on the site is a short tariff impact assessment created in collaboration with the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus.