Economic Development News

Whitby, Ontario – Durham Region is making it easier for small businesses to move their operations online after joining ShopHERE—a no-cost service that helps to build a digital platform.

What: ShopHERE provides independent businesses and artists an opportunity to develop an online store, free of charge, with specific branding, messaging, digital marketing, shipping and inventory management.

Initiated by Digital Main Street and the City of Toronto, this service is provided in collaboration...

Whitby, Ontario – A recent study of hundreds of Durham businesses has revealed that 92 per cent of businesses are concerned that a second wave of COVID-19 could be a barrier to recovery.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause global economic impacts, all Durham-based businesses have been affected by this unprecedented crisis. Now, as mindsets turn towards economic recovery, there’s a need to understand specific local needs. That’s why the Durham Economic Task Force recently co-ordinated...

Whitby, Ontario–The Region of Durham, in collaboration with local business improvement areas (BIAs), have launched a new online platform—Downtowns of Durham—to support the region’s vibrant downtown-area businesses.

Downtowns of Durham will offer residents and visitors a chance to explore the region’s many “main street” shops, restaurants, and services virtually, as they recover. From historic storefronts to family owned restaurants, each of Durham’s 13 distinct downtown areas are home to a diverse...

Whitby, Ontario – As Durham Region businesses prepare to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a need for personal protective equipment (PPE), as required by provincial guidelines.

To assist with this process, the Durham Economic Task Force has risen to the occasion; creating an online resource of local PPE options and outlining safety guidelines from the Province of Ontario.

The Safety and PPE web page provides options from local Durham manufacturers who either sell, or have pivoted...

Whitby, Ontario – The Durham Economic Task Force (DETF) is once again reaching out to local business owners—via a three-minute online survey—to learn more about the economic impacts of COVID-19 and help to shape local recovery efforts.

When: The COVID-19 Economic Recovery survey will be open until May 19, 2020.

Where: The survey is available here or by visiting investdurham.ca/CovidResponse.

Why: Survey results will be used to develop a made-in-Durham local business...