Economic Development

Economic development is shared jurisdiction amongst all orders of government. Particularly, the municipal level of government plays a significant role in advancing economic development and opportunity within its borders. 

The Township of Southgate is committed to economic development initiatives that will attract new businesses to the area and aide in growing the community. Within Southgate, the Economic Development Department is responsible for:

• Promoting economic development and growth in the residential, commercial and service sectors.
• Administering the Township's Community Improvement Plan.
• Working with the public and private sector groups to promote economic development, focusing on business attraction and retention.
• Initiating economic development projects and preparing activity reports, draft budgets, policies and related research and analysis.
• Working with local developers to actively promote their sites to attract new businesses.
• Developing marketing and promotional materials to attract businesses.
• Assisting efforts to revitalize the downtowns of Dundalk and Holstein.
• Representing the Township of Southgate at Provincial, industry, and other business groups, committees, and associations as required.

Our Location

The Township of Southgate is located between Highway 10 and Highway 6, north of Highway 89. Highway 10 has excellent access to the Greater Toronto Area and its extensive markets. Dundalk is located about an hour north of Brampton on Highway 10. Holstein is located 1 hour and 15 minutes north of Guelph. Highway 10 is a connecting link from Owen Sound to highways 410, 401, 403, and Toronto. Southbound Highway 10 also connects to Canada's largest airport, Pearson International in Toronto. Highway 401 connects to Toronto and eastern Canada to the east, and Waterloo, London, and the US border crossings on its west side. Highway 403 connects to Hamilton and the Niagara-US border crossings.  The Ministry of Transportation has recently resurfaced the road, widened the shoulders, upgraded the signage and replaced the culverts along Highway 10 all the way through the municipality, south to Shelburne, and north to Flesherton. Highway 6 connects Owen Sound to Highway 401 in Guelph. Highway 401 is the connecting link from Waterloo, London, and the US border crossings. The Ministry of Transportation is currently undertaking as study to re-surface, widen and install passing lanes along Highway 6 from Grey Road 9 in Southgate to Mount Forest. Highway 89 connects to Highway 400. Highway 400 goes south to Toronto and north to Simcoe, Muskoka, Northern Ontario and Western Canada.

The County of Grey also plays a significant role in local economic development through the Economic Development, Culture, and Tourism department. The County assists the Township in advancing its economic development goals through:

• Assisting local Community Improvement Plan efforts.
• Working to promote the Grey County region as an economic hub in key industries.
• Promoting Grey County exports on the national and international stage.
• Providing regional marketing resources to municipalities within its jurisdiction.

Did you know: The Township of Southgate has launched an Economic Development newsletter!

The newsletter will provide key updates to local businesses, and will be issued quarterly. You can view previous editions below: