The Business Report Header

Issue 3 | May 2010
In This Issue
2009 Economic Development Annual Review
Mayor's Business Breakfast Re-cap
Investment Activity Update
Property Listing Directory
New Tourism Visitor's Guide Launched
Caledon Business Profiles
Bolton CIP Grants Awarded
Update your Business Directory Listing
2009 Economic Development Annual Review Now Available
2009 Progress ReportThe 2009 Economic Development Annual Review for the Town of Caledon is now available online.
 
This publication showcases the level of economic activity that has taken place within the municipality throughout 2009. Highlights include; Investment Activity, Marketing and Communications Initiatives, Special Projects, Public Relations and Professional Affiliations and Partnerships.
 
Despite the economic downturn that took place throughout 2009, Caledon's economy showed signs of improvement - displaying stable and strong investment activity.
This year's Review confirms that Caledon continues to be an excellent place for investment in the Greater Toronto Area.
 
Printed copies of this document will soon be available at Town Hall, our libraries and recreation facilities.
 
A PDF version, as well as other publications, can be downloaded and viewed by clicking HERE.
 
If you wish to receive a printed copy of the Annual Review, or any of the Town's other Economic Development publications, you may make this request by e-mailing [email protected].
Mayor's Business Breakfast Re-cap
Mayor Morrison & Alan MaclachlanThe Town of Caledon Mayor's Business Breakfast on May 12, 2010 was a great success.
 
The event was hosted at the beautiful Caledon Woods Golf & Country Club, sponsored by Trump Systems and featured Keynote Speaker Alan Maclachlan of Insights Learning & Development.

Mr. Maclachlan entertained the capacity audience with stories and mementoes from his days as a two-time Canadian Olympic bobsled pilot (1980 & 1984). He also provided an insightful exploration of common personality types and traits that are found in nearly all team environments, and offered suggestions to effectively manage different personalities to ensure success.
 
Mayor Marolyn Morrison also addressed the audience to share news from the Town of Caledon.
 
The Mayor's Business Breakfasts have become very popular - largely due to the exceptional keynote speakers that are featured. This most recent event booked-up very quickly, and many people were placed on a waiting list.
 
Future events will be announced via this e-newsletter, and on the Events Page of the Economic Development section of the Town's website. If you plan on attending these events it is strongly encouraged that reservations are made as early as possible once the announcements are made.
 
Photo: Caledon Mayor Marolyn Morrison with Keynote Speaker Alan Maclachlan
Investment Activity Update

Since 2007, Town of Caledon has experienced a considerable boom of industrial activity which added a total of 4,610,328 square feet of both new and expanded industrial space. 

2009 Progress ReportTen
(10) projects (funded by various companies, including: Panattoni Development Company, MJJJ Developments Incorporated, AMB Property Canada Ltd., GWL Realty Advisors Inc., IGRI, ProLogis, Higgins Development Partners and Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan) accounted for just over 4.1 million square feet of industrial space in Caledon's total inventory.

However,
since these projects were completed the global economy has been mired the worst recession in 80 years.

This economic downturn lead to investment decisions, leasing activity and land purchases all coming to a grinding halt. And, because many of these projects were speculative, many buildings stood empty for months.

Today, while economic difficulties still linger, the strength of Canada's economy is evident in the upswing in leasing and land transaction activity within the first half of 2010.

The Town of Caledon's Economic Development Department is pleased to report that over half of the 4.1 million square feet attributed to the ten (10) large projects listed above have either been leased or sold.

As noted in Avison Young's Commercial Real Estate's, Greater Toronto Area, 1st Quarter 2010, Industrial Market Report, two of the most significant lease transactions that took place in Caledon in first quarter of 2010 are a 253,200 square feet space for Colgate-Palmolive, and a 224,800 square feet space for The Gap.  This same report indicates that Caledon's Industrial Property Availability Rate Percentage is 18.3% - which is a marked improvement from the 3rd Quarter of 2008 when it was 23.1%. 

 

And, as Caledon's "built inventory" continues to be absorbed, an additional 350 acres of land will be available in the Mayfield West community in spring 2011 - which will continue to supply prestige industrial land to the Greater Toronto Area market.
 
All of this bodes well for the local economy, as this increase in industrial activity will bring more employment opportunities to Caledon.
Property Listing Directory
Property Listings GraphicThe Town of Caledon's Property Database contains listings for commercial and industrial buildings and lands currently available for rent, lease or sale in Caledon.
 
If you are looking to establish a commercial or industrial enterprise in Caledon you are invited to click HERE and browse the available properties.
 
However, if you own or represent commercial or industrial properties in Caledon, then you are strongly encouraged to ensure they are listed in this database to ensure they receive maximum exposure.
 
To add new properties, or update current ones, please e-mail the Town of Caledon's Economic Development Department at [email protected].
New Hills of Headwaters Tourism Visitor's Guide Launched

2010 HHTA Visitor's GuideThe Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association (HHTA) launched the 2010 edition of its annual Visitor's Guide on May 13, 2010.

It is the only out-of-market tourism guide (distributed locally and throughout Ontario) that is supported by regional municipal  partners. It is designed to invite visitors to discover the charming rural communities of Caledon, Erin, Dufferin, Mono, Shelburne, Orangeville - and all the towns and villages in between - and the exceptional experiences they offer.
 
Tourism is an important economic driver for the province of Ontario, and the Hills of Headwaters recognizes the importance of strengthening this important industry sector.  According to Statistics Canada there were over 1,160,000 visitors to our region in 2008, with visitor spending estimated at over $100,000,000.
 

The HHTA is the primary marketing and facilitating agent for regional tourism. Working with its partners it develops and promotes experiences that celebrate the region's rural heritage, respects its extraordinary natural environment and promotes its spirit of community.
 
For more information about the many things to do in the Hills of Headwaters visit: www.thehillsofheadwaters.com.
 
To view an on-line version of the 2010 Hills of Headwaters Visitor's Guide click HERE.
Caledon Business Profiles
This section is dedicated to profiling new and/or newly expanded businesses that operate in the Town of Caledon.
 
If your business was recently established, expanded or moved into Caledon, and you would like it to be listed in an upcoming issue of The Business Report, please e-mail the Economic Development Department at [email protected].
 
Caf� Italia
Caf� Italia Logo334 Queen Street, South - Bolton (MAP)
P: 905.533.2011
Contact: Annette D'Ambrosio
Caf� Italia is a new family-run restaurant in Bolton employing two people.  It opened on May 8, 2010 and offers both 'eat-in' and 'take-out' dining options. Its menu features a variety of Italian foods, including; panini sandwiches, salads, soups, desserts and, of course, pasta. (Penne alla Vodka is currently it's most popular dish.) It also offers an espresso bar and specialty coffees.
 
~~CORRECTION~~
 
Jenco Specialties Inc. LogoThe April issue of The Business Report featured Jenco Specialties Inc (www.jencoinc.ca), but their phone and fax information was displayed incorrectly. 
 
This information should have read as follows:
P: 905.857.1234
F: 905.857.9266
 
 
Bolton Community Improvement Plan Grants Awarded
Bolton Street ShotTo date in 2010, Caledon Council has approved grant applications from the following local businesses under the Bolton Community Improvement Plan (CIP):

  • Baffo's Pizza will receive a Fa�ade Improvement Program grant
  • Bolton Family Footcare will receive a Landscape Improvement Grant
These financial incentive grant programs, along with six (6) other programs, are available for Bolton-based industrial and commercial businesses/landowners via the CIP program. 
 
Click HERE for more information.
Time to Update your Caledon Business Directory Listing 
The Caledon Business Directory is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Town of Caledon's website.
 
Caledon Business Directory CDAnd, the Economic Development Department is in the process of updating its award-winning and easy to use Business Directory CD for 2010.
 
Therefore, if your business is based in Caledon, you do not want to be left out of this effective search tool.
 
There is no charge to list or update your business info, and the process takes only a minute or less.
 
Please click HERE to enter your information.
Town of Caledon, Economic Development Department