What attracts them, and keeps even more businesses coming?
The City of Vaughan is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and the largest economy in York Region with a real GDP of $20.6 billion in 2018. With its innovative ecosystem, robust transportation and outstanding infrastructure, the city brings together a massive pool of skilled labour, quality suppliers and diverse prospects.
Of the more than 12,000 businesses calling Vaughan home, 184 are corporate or regional headquarters with representation across many sectors. These include professional and business services, construction, transportation, warehousing, wholesale trade, retail services, diversified
and advanced manufacturing, and many knowledge-based sectors.
Some of Vaughan’s reputed global brands include companies such as Toys “R” Us, Adidas Canada, Yum! Brands, Inc. (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), Mircom and St. Joseph Communications which all have their Canadian or regional headquarters in the city. Leading multinational companies, such as KPMG, Miller Thomson LLP., GFL Environmental Inc., Harley-Davidson
Canada Inc. and PricewaterhouseCoopers also run successful business operations there. At least 37 of these companies employ 100 or more employees in their Vaughan locations.
Businesses are in Vaughan to gain a variety of benefits, from ample
commercial space and world-class amenities, to a thriving talent pool and
superior transportation. These elements add to Vaughan’s attractiveness as a preferred business location, and there is room to grow. The city’s up-and-coming downtown, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, is on track to have 1.5 million square feet of commercial office space and 750,000 square feet of retail space by Another 612 hectares (1,512 acres) of developable land is available in the Vaughan Enterprise Zone (VEZ) making this very attractive for head offices, national logistics and distribution centres and manufacturing operations, among other sectors.
Vaughan is also focused on offering quality healthcare, wellness, education,
shopping, dining and entertainment. The VMC and the surrounding areas
promise a wholesome experience and lifestyle to all its occupants, residential as well as commercial. Moreover, Vaughan’s inter-modal transit system includes access to three subway stations, a speedy commute via Highways 400, 407 and 427 and proximity to the Toronto Pearson International Airport. The city’s connectivity potential is well recognized
by its existing business community. An excellent location, superior transportation and huge warehousing potential allows businesses to reach a market of 130-million people within a 500-mile radius and many more nationally and internationally.
Another interesting facet is the direct access to a large workforce of over 3.9-million people, and a versatile and sustainable talent pipeline. Around
330,000 students from colleges and universities in the vicinity join the
mainstream workforce every year. Essentially, businesses can choose from a huge base of both experienced and new talent.
A growing recognition from across North America is that municipalities
need to identify and help reduce obstacles that impede business growth.
The various departments in the City of Vaughan have pledged to work
together in collaboration to identify and eliminate barriers that hinder
modernization, progress and business growth.
Lastly, the City of Vaughan’s effort to promote an innovative environment has led to initiatives, such as the Social Innovation Challenge, Starter Company Plus and Summer Company (which are provincially supported),
with the goal to nurture and grow new and existing businesses, technologies, products and services. In 2018, 314 entrepreneurs were supported by these programs.
For companies looking to locate a head office in the GTA, Vaughan offers
modern amenities, well-connected public transit, availability of residential
and commercial space, and easy access to a qualified workforce.
