The Town of Georgina is a well-balanced community in northern York Region on the southern shores of Lake Simcoe poised for growth. We are dedicated to facilitating local economic growth and prosperity, and to ensuring infrastructure and development policies are in place to provide for a healthy community that meets the social, economic and cultural needs of the residents and business owners.
Programs and initiatives
The Economic Development and Tourism Division encourages new and established businesses to connect with us to see how we can assist in achieving your goals. When we connect, we may mention one of the following programs and initiatives available to support you:
- Business Concierge Program to assist developers
- Non-Profit Organizations Grant
- Economic, Culture and Community Betterment Program grants for festival, event and program organizers
- YSpace Entrepreneurship Hub - Entrepreneurship and skills development training
- Patio Program for dining establishments to expand their space and enhance their experiences
- Georgina Made campaign and business directory
- Grown in Georgina campaign to boost agri-tourism and support sustainable agriculture
- Promotion of digital enhancement support programs through Digital Main Street
- Business Improvement Area (BIA) board support and beautification
- Tourism guide publications
- Town-led annual events that have an economic impact on the community – Field to Table and Taste of Georgina
Economic Development and Tourism staff also provide support through committees, organization board memberships, marketing efforts and events, as well as being part of major Town projects like the Waterfront Parks Master Plan. We coordinate seasonal banners and holiday decorations in our core and downtown areas, facilitate and encourage public art initiatives, and work with other departments to beautify Georgina and create a sense of place. Staff work to establish partnerships and empower businesses to do the same, with the understanding that thriving communities are built upon relationships. When possible, the office partners with other levels of government to support our programs and initiatives.
Economic Development and Tourism Strategy
The Town of Georgina underwent the process of developing a five-year Economic Development and Tourism Strategy in 2023 to further strengthen and diversify the local economy. Learn more.
Year in Review publications
Newsletters
March 28, 2024 Georgina rolls out a new five-year Economic Development and Tourism Strategy
Feb. 26, 2024 A snapshot of Georgina's economy and initiative highlights in 2023
Jan. 23, 2024 Tourism guide showcases why Georgina is a thriving winter destination
Dec. 21, 2023 A snapshot of programs and successes at YSpace in 2023
Nov. 24, 2023 Business park video promotes Georgina's employment land investment opportunities
Oct. 27, 2023 Streamlined grant program launched for non-profit community organizations
Sept. 29, 2023 Georgina partners with York Region to launch new economic development website
Sept. 15, 2023 New Indigenous art installed in downtown at Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture
Aug. 11, 2023 Georgina engages with the community to help create its next Economic Development and Tourism Strategy
July 6, 2023 Town focusing on investment attraction
May 29, 2023 Georgina launches 2023 summer/fall tourism guide
April 28, 2023 Town receives funding to invest in its Business Improvement Areas
March 23, 2023 Town of Georgina Economic Development and Tourism 2022 Year in Review
Feb. 10, 2023 Business park website launched to promote new development
Jan. 13, 2023 2022 Economic Development and Tourism highlights
Dec. 9, 2022 Town accepting applications for early 2023 events that will have an economic impact
Nov. 1, 2022 200-acre business park breaks ground in Georgina
Oct. 7, 2022 Development fees and rebate program updated to assist and attract investors
Sept. 12, 2022 Entrepreneurs take advantage of free skills development training
Aug. 4, 2022 Georgina's designated Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) receive funding to boost tourism
July 11, 2022 Entrepreneurs take advantage of free skills development training
June 17, 2022 Georgina reconnects with the community at first in-person business event in two years
May 26, 2022 The Town welcomes residents and visitors to rediscover Georgina this summer/fall
April 29, 2022 Why businesses choose the Town of Georgina
April 14, 2022 Keswick Business Park - Phase 1 to begin fall 2022
March 29, 2022 New partnership program launches to support entrepreneurs in Georgina
March 10, 2022 A look back at another unprecedented year and the efforts made to support our economy
Feb. 17, 2022 Town seeks input from business community on economic recovery
Jan. 28, 2022 Town extends and revises COVID-19 business support programs
Jan. 7, 2022 Town continues to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic
Dec. 3, 2021 Connecting with short-term rental owners to boost tourism
Nov. 12, 2021 Multi-use Recreation Complex breaks ground to support Georgina's residents
Oct. 29, 2021 Applications open for the Business Bounce Back Program's third and final cohort
Oct. 13, 2021 Local Food Newsletter
Sept. 24, 2021 Georgina Studio Tour showcases growing art community
Sept. 13, 2021 Grown in Georgina project supports local farmers and agri-businesses
Aug. 19, 2021 Town seeks feedback on Waterfront Parks Master Plan design concepts
July 30, 2021 Initial steps made to consider the merger of Jackson's Point/Sutton Business Improvement Areas
July 13, 2021 Town of Georgina's grant program helps with downtown revitilization
June 25, 2021 Town releases 2021 Discover Georgina Guide
June 11, 2021 Georgina prepares to reopen
May 31, 2021 Tourism and hospitality program launches to assist with economic recovery
May 14, 2021 Development activity is increasing in Georgina
April 23, 2021 Scott-Woods Transport invests in Georgina
April 9, 2021 2020 Year in Review
March 18, 2021 Town prepares to launch a new online directory celebrating locally made products
March 5, 2021 Development incentive program updated to support larger development
Feb. 17, 2021 Taste of Georgina event brings new customers to Georgina restaurants
Feb. 2, 2021 Business Park will bring 200 acres of industrial development to Georgina
Jan. 14, 2021 Town extends COVID-19 business support programs to the end of 2021
Dec. 18, 2020 2020 COVID-19 business support snapshot
Nov. 27, 2020 Vianet to bring high-speed internet to Georgina residents and businesses
Nov. 12, 2020 Georgina urges residents to shop local over the holiday season
Oct. 29, 2020 Pivot Planning Squad helping Georgina businesses achieve success
Oct. 15, 2020 Fall newsletter
Oct. 1, 2020 No-cost trades training will educate up to 200 local students a year
Sept. 17, 2020 Shop Local Georgina campaign urges residents to adopt "local" concept
Sept. 3, 2020 Economic Development and Tourism Office launches new blog to share successes and encourage investment
Aug. 21, 2020 Virtual Discover Georgina Guide launched
Aug. 6, 2020 Paving the way in sustainable agriculture
July 22, 2020 York Region COVID-19 Business Impact and Recovery Survey Results
July 8, 2020 New Economic Recovery Team programs launched
June 9, 2020 Economic Recovery Team updates and Shop Local Georgina Day
May 22, 2020 New customer service hours at the Town of Georgina
May 7, 2020 Ontario Eases Restrictions on Retail Stores and Essential Construction
April 23, 2020 Georgina Emergency Response Benefit approved to assist businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19
April 9, 2020 Addressing concerns in response to COVID-19
March 26, 2020 COVID-19 business support
March 9, 2020 Changes to the timeframe it takes to issue site plan approval
Feb. 21, 2020 Georgina launches interactive business dashboard tool
Feb. 5, 2020 Development update
Jan. 15, 2020 World-renowned ice fishing in Georgina
Dec. 19, 2019 2019 Successes
Economic Development and Tourism Staff
Karyn Stone, Manager of Economic Development and Tourism
kstone@georgina.ca
Julie Cain, Partnership and Downtown Coordinator
jcain@georgina.ca
Katrina Ellis, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator - Investment Attraction
kellis@georgina.ca
Cristina Liu, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator - Tourism
cliu@georgina.ca
Negin Khorasani, Business Entrepreneurship Coordinator
nkhorasani@georgina.ca
Karina Scott, Business Entrepreneurship Assistant
kscott@georgina.ca
Not sure who you should connect with? Fill out our general inquiry form and a staff member will follow up. You can also reach us by phone at 905-476-4301.