Economic Development Newsletter March 2026

Running a business often means wearing a lot of hats. Sometimes it can feel like you’re always busy but not always moving forward or seeing that business growth from all of that work. When priorities keep changing, decisions pile up, and you spend more time reacting than planning; it can be hard to stay focused on what actually drives growth. 

The March DMZ Innisfil All Access workshop is designed for small business owners who want clearer direction, practical structure, and simple ways to get their team aligned and moving forward. 

From Goals to Results: A Smarter Way to Scale your Business will show you how to use the key goals and objectives framework to turn big goals into measurables outcomes. 

In this workshop, you’ll learn to: 

• Set clear, realistic priorities
• Align your team around what matters most
• Reduce work that doesn’t move the needle
• Turn strategy into day-to-day action 

This workshop is happening on Tuesday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the DMZ Innisfil Office & Coworking Space. 

Reserve your spot at the workshop

Ask an Ag-xpert: Registration is open! 

The County of Simcoe’s next Ask an Ag-xpert webinar is taking place on March 4 and registration to attend this event is now open. This session features an expert from Farmers’ Markets Ontario and will teach farmers and agri-businesses how to interact with customers and display their products to boost sales. As always, participants will have the opportunity to ask their questions about being a vendor at a Farmers’ Market to get expert answers. To learn more and register to attend, visit the County’s event website. 

IDEA in Recruitment: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility in Hiring 

Hosted by the Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership (SCLIP) on March 5, this free employer training session will support organizations in strengthening inclusive, equitable, and accessible hiring practices. This interactive in-person workshop is designed for Human Resources professionals and hiring managers committed to building inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment processes. Participants will explore practical strategies for integrating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) principles into recruitment policies, processes, and decision‑making. To learn more and register to attend, visit the County’s event website. 

Save-the-Date: Simcoe County Skilled Trades Fair 

The Simcoe County Skilled Trades Fair will be held on April 23 at the Georgian College, Midland campus. This interactive, community focused event will feature: 

• Hands on employer exhibits
• Service provider booths
• Job and apprenticeship fair
• Panel discussions with people who have built successful careers in the skilled trades 

Exhibitor registration is now open.

Funding Opportunities 

Please see below for a few recently opened funding opportunities that we would like to highlight: 

CanExport SMEs 

The CanExport SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) program offers competitive funding to help eligible Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises expand into new international markets. The program supports businesses by sharing the costs of export-related activities, helping reduce risk and support export diversification. Successful projects may receive up to $50,000 in funding for international business development activities. Funding is limited, and applications are assessed on a rolling competitive basis. The application deadline is May 29, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative 

Applications for the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative are now open, and will be accepted until March 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The initiative provides funding opportunities to primary producers and processors to support market diversification and resiliency within domestic and international markets, with emphasis on new and growing markets. Funding for the initiative comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). 

To learn more about available funding opportunities, please also visit the County’s EDO Funding Page. 

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 (SMEs). 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.