Business Support

Agelic provides free services to local businesses to help attract new employees to their business, including tools such as job boards, direct recruit services, interviewing supports, and administration of human resources paperwork.

Accessibility in Ontario provides important details to help businesses be accessible for their clients and employees. 

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs, provides business geared loans, and advisory services. 

The Coldwater Business Improvement Area hosts annual events and promotes the establishment of businesses in the community of Coldwater. They work with Severn to promote economic development within the district.

Visit the County of Simcoe Economic Development Office for information about business grants and funding opportunities, local educational and networking events, demographics and community profiles and a variety of resources for new and established businesses.

Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern OntarioFedDev Ontario) works with businesses and organizations within southern Ontario to create clean and inclusive economic growth through different programs including funding. 

Futurepreneur Canada helps Canada’s young entrepreneurs by providing financing, mentorship and support tools to business owners 18 to 39. 

Georgian College Career and Employment Community Services is a one-stop employment services by providing employers with supports in attracting new employees including job boards, employee selection, and interview supports. 

The Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre is a resource for entrepreneurs at various stages, across all industry sectors. They help students and community based entrepreneurs validate their business ideas and grow existing businesses by connecting them with the tools they need to be successful.

This includes:

• mentorship
• funding
• training
• networking

Innovation, Science and Economic Development is a federal ministry that provides programs to assist businesses across Canada to expand and grow. 

La Cie de L’emploi Employment Services is French-speaking employment services organization that provides employers with supports in attracting employees by providing job boards, interview supports, and funding opportunities. 

Ontario Centre of Innovation is an ecosystem connector, that supports and invests in early-stage projects, helps with commercialization of academic intellectual property, and develops programs for retaining talent in key sectors. 

The Orillia and Area Community Development Corporation (Orillia Area CDC) offers a wide variety of programs and services supporting community economic development and small business growth.

In particular, they provide:

• loans for small businesses and social enterprises
• business counselling services
• access to community and business information
• support for community-based projects
• strategic community planning and socio-economic development

The Orillia and Area Chamber of Commerce offers networking events, business resources and information for anyone looking to start or expand their business in Severn and the surrounding area.

Check out Orillia and Lake Country Tourism to learn more about key investment opportunities in the area. You can review demographic information and discover growth industries. Orillia and Lake Country Tourism has identified the following key investment areas in the tourism industry:

• family entertainment
• glamping and outdoor adventures
• waterfront restaurants

This is a great resource if you're looking to start a new business in Severn.

Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) is a regional tourism organization covering Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties.

They provide support in:

• marketing
• funding
• employment retention
• alternative transportation programming. 

Save on Energy provides incentives for businesses to reduce their electricity costs. 

Join the Southeast Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce and get access to a variety of supports for local businesses and entrepreneurs, including:

• networking opportunities and events
• marketing and promotional advertising supports
• group insurance plan

The Small Business Centre Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia helps local entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and meet their goals. They offer support to new and existing businesses providing free one-on-one consultations, business plan reviews, seminars, networking opportunities and more.

Severn Township Public Library is a great resource for business owners and entrepreneurs. You can find books, make connections and get access to space to help you get your business up and running.

Startup Canada provides supports to new entrepreneurs looking to accelerate their ideas by providing country-wide peer support, advisory resources, and connections to funders.    

Tourism Simcoe County provides resources and funding for tourism and hospitality businesses within the County of Simcoe for marketing and experience development.

Venture Ontario is a provincial program that provides venture capital funds to emerging technology businesses. 

Work in Simcoe County provides statistically job demand and job search reports for the local region. 

YMCA Employment Service can provide free services to local businesses to help attract new employees to their business, including tools such as job boards, direct recruit services, interviewing supports and administration of human resources paperwork. 

• Agilec: Orillia Employment Services Centre 
• Georgian College Career and Employment Community Services
• La Cie de L’emploi Employment Services 
• YMCA Employment Service 

Township of Severn residents and businesses are within the Hydro One coverage area.  Businesses looking for new hook-ups or changes to their service, should visit Hydro One’s Business Services to connect directly with utility provider. 

Natural gas for the Township of Severn is through Enbridge Gas, businesses seeking connections or alternations to their services, should visit Enbridge Gas’ website to connect with an Enbridge representative.