1. June 2013
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
& TOURISM
COMMUNITY REPORT
Manufacturing Leads Employment
Growth
AccesstonewdatashowsOwenSound’semployment
growing since 2006 has risen to 17,282 jobs in 2012.
This growth is one of the largest in the region and
outpaces the provincial average. Most surprisingly
the growth has been strongest in our manufacturing
sector which now has 2,441 jobs. The new data
clearly highlights Owen Sound’s diverse economy
and regional strength. For example, the next largest
employment area is Collingwood with 11,295 jobs.
DIA Celebrates 40th Anniversary
The Downtown Improvement Area held a grand
birthday party at the H20 Lounge to celebrate its 40th
anniversary. Businesses, staff and former DIA board
members enjoyed the trendy and cool atmosphere
of the H2O Lounge with food and drinks, games
of chance, a candy bar and photo booth. It was a
smashing success. Look for next year’s event.
June 2013COMMUNITY REPORT
Local Economic Indicators: 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 (to date)
Enterprise Centre 1,005 clients 1,291 clients 1,732 clients 2,172 clients 502 clients (April)
Tourism Office 11,796 visitors 11,631 visitors 6,934 visitors*** 6,808 visitors 932 visitors (May)
Business Licenses 49 54 32 40 31(May)
Building Permits** $23.6 million $71 million $15.9 million $22 million $2.5 million (May)
Number of new homes 47 51 27 52 8 (May)
Downtown Vacancy* 16% 16% 17% 13% 10% (April)
Average Home Price $214,515 $222,413 $199,000 $202,669 $194,618 (Spring)
Unemployment Rate
(Region 580 Bruce/Stratford
- Stats Canada)
6.9% 6% Dec.
8.3 % April
7.3% February 4.6% August 5% (April)
Employment 16,845 16,737 17,139 17, 282 17,519 (projected)
*Downtown vacancy for 2nd Ave East between 10th and 8th Street. ** 2010 New Family Health Team construction resulted in significant increase for 2010
*** 2011 first year of seasonal operations
Welcome Winners, Michaels and
Value Village
It’s exciting to welcome new retail box stores to
Owen Sound. The new stores are part of a larger retail
development that will add to the commercial draw and
variety of shopping for regional residents and visitors.
City Council Tours Bruce Power
Bruce Power has a huge impact on Grey and Bruce’s economy.
It is important to understand the opportunities at Bruce Power and
to communicate the City’s support for new investment and growth.
As the world’s largest nuclear facility and a significant regional
employer, Bruce Power directly supports our local economy and
local business. For example, MacLean Engineering recently
designed and built a new transportation vehicle for the nucleur plant.
New Downtown Condos - Where you
want to live!
Two new condo projects downtown have been
announced: “The Sydenham” located in the former
Todd’s building overlooking the river, and the “Centre
Suites” on the top floors of the Professional Centre on
3rd Ave. East. Both will provide modern new housing
close to downtown restaurants, farmers’ market, shops
and waterfront trails.
Downtown Filling Up!
The vacancy rate for Owen Sound’s main street has
dropped below 10%, its lowest in five years! A number
of new stores have opened recently adding to the vitality
and vibrancy of the downtown. The newly expanded
Runner’s Den, Cora Couture, Villa Nina Bistro and the
Owen Sound 100 Mile Store & Gluten-Free Bakery are
examples of new services and retail stores.
Economic Development & Tourism Department
www.owensound.ca • www.owensoundtourism.ca
www.owensoundbusiness.ca
Connect with us ...
Economic Development & Tourism Department
www.owensound.ca • www.owensoundtourism.ca
www.owensoundbusiness.ca
Connect with us ...
Runner’s Den has the inside track!

2. June 2013COMMUNITY REPORT
Tourism Doubles Facebook Fanbase
We now have over 1,275 fans on Facebook – more than
double our number a year ago – and are approaching 900
followers on Twitter. The Owen Sound Tourism YouTube
channel has 16 videos and our latest, “Owen Sound –
Where you Want to Live,” has been viewed by more than
4,000 people. Check them out:
www.facebook.com/OwenSoundTourismandEvents
www.twitter.com/OSTourism
www.youtube.com/OwenSoundTourism
1155 First Ave W, Owen Sound • 519-371-9833
www.owensoundtourism.ca
vacation@owensound.ca
1,275
Stay Connected With Events Newsletter
What’s happening Around the Sound? Find out in our new weekly
e-blast, “Around the Sound,” detailing all coming events and tourism-related
news. Sign up for the free on-line bulletin or submit an event by visiting
www.owensound.ca/play/this-weeks-events.
Visitor Centre Ready for Summer Guests
The Owen Sound Visitor Centre on the harbour is now open seven days a
week for the summer season. We have postcards, souvenirs and of course,
visitor information about Owen Sound and area. If you would like to have any
of these materials available at your place of business, please give us a call at
519-371-9833 or drop by in person and say hello to our new summer team:
Lauren Fletcher, Laura Robinson and Meredith Turner.
Economic Development & Tourism Department
www.owensound.ca • www.owensoundtourism.ca
www.owensoundbusiness.ca
June 2013COMMUNITY REPORT
Entrepreneurs now under ONE Umbrella
Connect with us ...
The Business Enterprise Centre- Owen Sound and Area is
part of the launch of the newly re-branded Ontario Network
of Entrepreneurs (ONE). This initiative brings together Small
Business Enterprise Centres, Regional Innovation Centres,
Business Advisory Services and Northern Development and
Mines Regional Economic Development Offices under one
umbrella. The delivery of this new network of ONE centres
Business Enterprise Centre - Assisting Small Businesses
The Business Enterprise Centre-Owen Sound and Area opened its doors in 2000 to
meet the needs of entrepreneurs and small business owners. BEC provides a complete
Business Resource Centre experience where Entrepreneurs can find assistance, expertise
and information for the purpose of starting, growing or expanding a small business. BEC
provides support and guidance to local business owners through confidential one on one
no fee consultations, resources, workshops and seminars.
Contact The Business Enterprise Centre, Owen Sound & Area
for any assistance and with any questions.
519-371-3232 •173 8th Street East, Owen Sound
www.owensoundbusiness.ca • businesshelp@owensound.ca
Tourism Developing New Salmon Tour
Owen Sound Tourism was recently granted $10,000 towards developing a
new visitor experience -- a self-guided tour centering on the annual fall Salmon
run on the Sydenham River. The tourism office will be partnering with Regional
Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) and working with the Grey-Sauble Conservation
Authority and the Sydenham Sportsmen group on the project. The salmon run
tour is expected to draw interest from nature lovers, families, and new Canadians
in the GTA and Southwestern Ontario. A web site, interpretive plaques, printed
material and a video will be developed to support the experience.
TOURISM
is a key priority of the Ministry of Economic
Development, Trade and Employment and the
Ministry of Research and Innovation.
The goal is to ensure that small- and medium-
sized businesses are connected to the business
advice and in-person assistance they require, in
a quick and convenient manner. To support the
launch of the new ONE network, check out the new
website, www.ONEbusiness.ca, which enables
entrepreneurs to find the closest ONE centre
location that specifically suits their needs. General
information for starting, growing and financing a
business is also available on the website.
Economic Development & Tourism Department
www.owensound.ca • www.owensoundtourism.ca
www.owensoundbusiness.ca
Connect with us ...
Are you interested in Self
Employment? You can turn that
dream into a viable option. The
Business Enterprise Centre is here to assist. The Ontario
Self Employment Benefit Program is an Employment Ontario
Program designed to provide Employment Insurance eligible
or Reachback clients with income and entrepreneurial support
while they develop and implement their business plan. The
next intake is July. Find out if this program is for you by calling
the Business Enterprise Centre at 519-371-3232.
Why not choose Self Employment as your next job?