Laura Thompson
Manager of Economic Development, Town of Innisfil
Alexei Miecznikowski
CEO, Northern Transformer
Innisfil’s unique approach to supporting businesses both big and small is redefining how Canadian communities grow, attract talent and welcome new industry.
Over the last few years, the town of Innisfil has been experiencing a remarkable evolution, quietly going from a sleepy lakeside community to one of the country’s most innovative, economically active regions. This transformation is no accident. It’s the hard-won result of future-looking policies, creative partnerships and a focus on sustainable economic development. Located just an hour north of Toronto, Innisfil is ideally situated along Highway 400 and is also connected to the Barrie Collingwood Railway, providing seamless connections to businesses and cities across Canada and the eastern United States. With so many assets, it’s no wonder this entrepreneurial hub is beginning to turn heads.
Embracing innovation
Innisfil has quickly garnered national attention for its willingness to do things differently. Over the past several years, the town has become a laboratory for public and private sector innovation, piloting partnerships with organizations like Uber, Rover, Coinberry, and Swap Robotics. These collaborations have reimagined everything from local transit to digital services, showcasing how even the most traditional municipal operations can benefit from the fresh perspective and energy of entrepreneurs.
“Many of the traditional services that municipalities provide could benefit from the insights of emerging entrepreneurs. The founders we tend to work with are often more comfortable with risk and foster a natural passion and curiosity for adapting new technologies to solve long-standing challenges,” says Laura Thompson, Innisfil’s Manager of Economic Development. The town’s enthusiasm for experimentation has not only improved service but led to major changes in how local government approaches economic growth. Recently the Town’s Innisfil Heights Investment Readiness Initiative was chosen as a finalist for the Economic Developers Council of Ontario Planning & Strategic Development Award of Excellence.
A culture of innovation
A key component of the city’s entrepreneurial culture is DMZ Innisfil. In 2020, Innisfil embarked on a partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University to bring the acclaimed tech incubator to town. DMZ is a novel tech incubator that helps build, launch and scale tech companies that are just starting up. This community-driven initiative offers resources, mentorship, marketing guidance, workshops and more to companies looking to expand their reach.
Originally started with 16 founders, the program has grown exponentially to become one of the most successful iterations of DMZ’s global hubs. It’s now helped over 100 program graduates scale their businesses even as they continue to enjoy the advantages of a lakeside lifestyle.
Innisfil not only met our specific location needs—including a strong technical workforce, excellent logistics, diverse housing options and proximity to key markets—but the town also demonstrated a highly client-oriented and business-friendly approach. This gave us peace of mind that we were making a smart business decision.
What makes DMZ Innisfil’s program stand out is that, while it’s designed to serve the needs of more-rurally located innovators, the program also offers the top-tier support typically only found in an urban setting. Programs feature everything from networking events and bootcamps to connections with world-class mentors and participation in global events like Collision Tech Conference in Toronto. DMZ Innisfil has even hosted events connecting members with startup founders from around the world, including Brazil, China, Egypt, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Japan. Programs are carefully planned to ensure they meet the needs of entrepreneurs from all industries.
Strategic and sustainable growth
Looking towards 2026, Innisfil’s economic growth spurt doesn’t show any signs of slowing. The town is set to grow 32 per cent, which is faster than the regional average and is expected to add 16,000 jobs by 2051—a testament to its productive, forward-thinking support for investment.
Innisfil’s Economic Development Office has many new projects in the works. For example, the new Innisfil Heights Investment Readiness Initiative is focused on positioning the Innisfil Heights Employment Area as an attractive development region offering 1,600 acres of land along Highway 400. The initiative’s aim is to encourage and simplify collaboration between municipal departments and businesses and provide white glove treatment to new site selectors, businesses, and investors.
Two major projects really highlight Innisfil’s entrepreneurial approach to promoting development. DSV Global Transport and Logistics just recently completed development of a 1.3 million-square-foot LEED-certified facility in Innisfil Heights, making full use of the location’s unparalleled highway access. This warehousing facility underscores the economic strength of Innisfil’s infrastructure and its appeal to global businesses.
Northern Transformer Corporation’s $207 million investment in a new 180,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is another endorsement of the town’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for investment. The state-of-the-art facility will create 151 jobs and provide critical support to the province’s energy grid. “Innisfil not only met our specific location needs—including a strong technical workforce, excellent logistics, diverse housing option and proximity to key markets—but the town also demonstrated a highly client-oriented and business-friendly approach. This gave us peace of mind that we were making a smart business decision,” says Alexei Miecznikowski, CEO of Northern Transformer. “This investment is creating high skilled jobs, supporting our local suppliers, and building a future where Canadian-made solutions can power Canadians.” Innisfil is now setting its sites on complementary industries to support major anchors like Northern Transformer, including those in the advanced manufacturing sector and sub-sectors such as metal fabrication, electrical goods and general factory supplies.
Boasting a business-friendly council and a supportive community enthusiastic about promoting growth, jobs and innovation, Innisfil will continue to evolve as a thriving hub where investment, entrepreneurship and community building are powerfully intertwined.
Visit InvestInnisfil.ca to learn how your business can leverage the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of Innisfil.
