Are you looking to start or expand your business in Severn? Our community is situated in Central Ontario near major provincial, national and international markets. Severn offers a combination of lifestyle and opportunity making it a great place to live and do business. Explore the resources available to help you start or expand your business.
Why Severn?
Located within Simcoe County, Severn is a growing marketplace. The County is home to more than 450,000 residents and is expected to grow by 40% by 2031. We also welcome over 9 million visitors a year, who contribute more than $1 billion annually to the Simcoe economy.
Economic Development Strategy
Our Economic Development Strategy was approved by Council in April 2024.
The overall goal of the Strategy is to make the Township a strong and vibrant area for today and future generations.
| The Strategy focuses on 5 key priorities: |
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View the Economic Development Strategy
Available land
Find a suitable location for your business and check out the available land and buildings in Severn.
Business resources
Check out the local business supports in Severn. These organizations can help you start and grow your business, offer funding and provide opportunities for networking and mentorship within the local business community.
Contact us if you would like assistance with navigating the different agencies and finding out which agency is best to help you.
Agilec: Orillia Employment Services Centre |
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| 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. |
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Accessibility in Ontario |
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| Accessibility in Ontario provides important details to help businesses be accessible for their clients and employees. |
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Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) |
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| Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs, provides business geared loans, and advisory services. |
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Coldwater Business Improvement Area |
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| 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. | ||
County of Simcoe Economic Development Office |
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| 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 Ontario |
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| Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) works with businesses and organizations within southern Ontario to create clean and inclusive economic growth through different programs including funding. |
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Futurepreneur Canada |
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| Futurepreneur Canada helps Canada’s young entrepreneurs by providing financing, mentorship and support tools to business owners 18 to 39. |
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Georgian College Career and Employment Community Services |
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| 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. | ||
Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre |
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| 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:
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Innovation, Science and Economic Development |
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| Innovation, Science and Economic Development is a federal ministry that provides programs to assist businesses across Canada to expand and grow. |
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La Cie de L’emploi Employment Services |
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| 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. |
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Ontario Centre of Innovation |
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| 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. |
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Orillia and Area Community Development Corporation |
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| 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:
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Orillia and Area Chamber of Commerce |
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| 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. |
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Orillia and Lake Country Tourism |
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| 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:
This is a great resource if you're looking to start a new business in Severn. |
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Regional Tourism Organization 7 |
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| Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) is a regional tourism organization covering Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties. They provide support in:
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Save on Energy |
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| Save on Energy provides incentives for businesses to reduce their electricity costs. |
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Southeast Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce |
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| Join the Southeast Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce and get access to a variety of supports for local businesses and entrepreneurs, including:
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Small Business Enterprise Centre |
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| 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. |
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Severn Township Public Library |
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| 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. |
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Startup Canada |
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| Startup Canada provides supports to new entrepreneurs looking to accelerate their ideas by providing country-wide peer support, advisory resources, and connections to funders. |
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Tourism Simcoe County |
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| Tourism Simcoe County provides resources and funding for tourism and hospitality businesses within the County of Simcoe for marketing and experience development. |
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Venture Ontario |
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| Venture Ontario is a provincial program that provides venture capital funds to emerging technology businesses. |
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Work in Simcoe County |
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| Work in Simcoe County provides statistically job demand and job search reports for the local region. |
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YMCA Employment Services |
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| 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. |
Grants and loans
The municipal, provincial and federal governments are active players in providing incentives and funding supports to help grow the local economy.
Please visit the County of Simcoe’s Economic Development Office for an updated list of grants and funding opportunities.
Working in Severn
Find your next job opportunity and learn about local job market trends at Work in Simcoe County.
If you need help with placing an employment opportunity on Work in Simcoe County, please feel free to visit one of our local support agencies.
| Employment supports |
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These include: |
Planning to build
Learn how to submit a planning and development application for a variety of new development projects:
- Plan of Subdivision/Condominium (County of Simcoe is approval authority)
- Official Plan amendment (County of Simcoe is approval authority)
- Zoning By-law amendment
- Site Plan control
- Severance/consent
- Minor variances
Contact us to get started on your application.
Utility providers
| Electricity |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Telecommunications |
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There are several different telecommunications providers within the Township: |
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