Business directory
Our business directory is a list of local businesses that have agreed to be included in the database. The directory lists business information grouped by industry. The information is collected in our annual Business Count survey. To include your business, please email us at BusinessCount@durham.ca.
Development applications
Please view our Planning and Development page for more information.
Establishing a business
Durham Region is home to many creative and prosperous businesses, which are moving the region forward as the place to be for business while Durham's communities are thriving with business activity. The 2016 employment survey shows an increase of more than 900 businesses since the 2014 survey. This proves that Durham Region is a great place for your business venture.
There are many resources available to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses. Watch Sherry Colbourne, President and CEO of Spark Centre talk about business support and opportunities for learning.
Building Business Forum |
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The Building Business Forum is an annual half-day conference held in north Durham Region. The event is intended for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to make strategic connections, be inspired by new business ideas and learn about business resources. The event features local business owners who will share tips about how they achieved success. Plus, there is a business resource tradeshow featuring different business support organizations and resources. |
Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) |
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The Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) is a non-profit organization funded in partnership by The Regional Municipality of Durham and the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment. The BACD helps launch and develop small business by providing one-on-one consultation, educational seminars and workshops. This training helps small businesses learn the skills and knowledge to effectively manage and grow. BACD is part of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE). |
Spark Centre |
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Spark Centre is one of 14 not-for-profit Regional Innovation Centres (RICs) that form part of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE). It is a place where entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, researchers and students come together. Here, they can exchange ideas, help each other succeed, and form an innovation network that creates jobs and wealth in their regions. Spark Centre helps start and grow innovative technology-based companies in Durham Region and Northumberland County. It assists startup companies with finding the best path to market, and surrounds them with the tools, people and connections they need. In addition, Spark Centre helps existing businesses develop relationships and create strategies that can drive faster growth. |
Starting a business in Canada |
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To find out the steps required to operate a business in Canada, visit the Government of Canada website. |
Starting a business in Ontario |
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Visit Service Ontario to:
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Incentives
There are a number of programs to attract and grow business:
Local partner agencies
Several partner agencies in Durham Region collaborate to deliver exceptional service to the business community. They include:
- Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE)
- Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade
- Clarington Board of Trade
- Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
- Scugog Chamber of Commerce
- Uxbridge Chamber of Commerce
- Whitby Chamber of Commerce
- Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
- York Durham Headwaters
- Durham College's Corporate Training Services
- Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (DAAC)
- Durham Workforce Authority
- Export Development Canada (EDC)
- Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council (LDIPC)
Other government agencies
- FedDev Ontario
- The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
- Ministry of Economic Development and Growth (MEDG)
- Ministry of Infrastructure
- Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science
- National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
- Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
Local economic development offices
Durham Region is made up of eight local area municipalities ranging from large, urban centres to small towns, hamlets and villages. The cities of Oshawa and Pickering; towns of Ajax and Whitby; Municipality of Clarington; and the townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge all offer a highly skilled labour force, diverse economic base, superior quality of life and competitive business costs.
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