In addition to being one of the fastest growing regions in Canada, Durham Region is the most affordable municipality in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Development charges and taxes are highly competitive and lower land prices make Durham Region attractive for investors and residents alike. For those who are in the business of building their business and their future, Durham is the place to be.
The Region is comprised of eight municipalities including the Cities of Pickering and Oshawa, Towns of Ajax and Whitby, Municipality of Clarington and the Townships of Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock. Ideally situated just 37 km east of Toronto, Durham enjoys the perfect location. Tapping into major Ontario, North American and global markets is easy.
Durham is home to 663,460 (2016) people and over 12,000 businesses, including 95 foreign owned companies. They chose Durham because they see a prosperous future here. They also see an entrepreneurial mindset and a support network that continues to help them grow their enterprises.
Business is booming in Durham. In 2016, the Province announced the sale of over 1,000 acres of land along the Highway 7/407 corridor within the Seaton Community in Central Pickering. This land offering is made up of approximately 269 acres of residential and mixed use commercial lands as well as 800 acres of prestige employment lands. These employment lands are an important step in achieving the longterm target of 35,000 new jobs. Known as the “Innovation Corridor,” the City of Pickering has a clear vision for the development of the employment lands, to support the creation of exciting, high tech jobs in a variety of industry sectors. The Seaton development will transform the face of Durham Region.
In addition to the Seaton community, four of the country’s top 100 infrastructure projects are in Durham. Not surprisingly, improvements to Highway 401, the extension of the 407 ETR and the expansion of GO Transit’s Lakeshore East service from Oshawa to Bowmanville will enhance Durham’s accessibility. The decision by Metrolinx to locate its $8.6 million-dollar LEED Gold Certified, 500,000 square feet East Rail Maintenance Facility in Durham, ensures that the Region plays a key role as a GO Transit service and storage hub.
People are drawn to Durham Region and as a result the Region is quickly becoming an internationally recognized leader in research and development, with innovation taking place everywhere. We have and continue to attract a talented workforce by working closely with our post-secondary institutions – the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), Durham College, Centennial College, Trent University Durham and Queen’s University- to educate and train our world-class workforce and highly trained technical specialists.
As a welcoming and inclusive community, Durham is geographically and culturally diverse. From its bustling urban centres to the smaller towns and quaint villages that dot the landscape, there is something for everyone. A growing and well-developed tourism sector and a prosperous agricultural community support an impressive local food movement. Durham is creating opportunities at every turn.
It is this collaborative mindset in Durham that has allowed many of these opportunities to be realized. The region-wide economic development team, known as the Durham Economic Development Partnership (DEDP) works with partners across the Region to deliver seamless and exceptional service to business clients – existing and new.
Looking to build your future? Durham Region has it all and we welcome you to discover the endless possibilities.
