MANUFACTURING

Southwestern Ontario has the largest concentration of manufacturing industries in Canada, and Stratford is strategically located within this region. The manufacturing sector is diverse with an optimal mixture of small, medium and large businesses. Stratford has a competitive advantage in many sectors of the economy but especially in value-added agri-food, information and communication technology, green sector technology, plastics, advanced manufacturing and high tech machining, and transportation (including automotive, truck and aerospace).

Wright Business Park

The Wright Business Park is 325 acres of prime land located in the southwest area of the City. All lots are zoned for traditional industrial usage as well as non-industrial uses that are associated with the new University of Waterloo Stratford Campus and the ICT sector. The Wright Business Park offers fully serviced lots including fibre optic cabling, municipal water, electric power, natural gas, streetlights, storm and sanitary sewers, curbs, gutters, and access to rail and public transportation. There is a variety of lot sizes available starting at half an acre and up with an asking price of $100,000 per acre.

Key Industries

Stratford is the envy of many communities. Our economic base is diverse: manufacturing, tourism, commercial, financial, agricultural and service industries combine to create a stable, prosperous business environment and resilient local economy. The top two sectors of Stratford’s growing economy are manufacturing and upscale tourism – a unique combination that works well and attracts interest from around the world.

Stratford’s Top Ten Employers (2011)