STRATFORD’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT focuses on supporting
Stratford businesses, developing Stratford’s workforce, delivering site
selection services, supporting trade development and providing economic
data. We’re committed to marketing Stratford’s competitive advantages
and pro-business climate across Canada and around the world.
Stratford enjoys a strategic business and economic location, close to five border crossings into the USA, and adjacent to Canada’s busiest commercial and transportation corridor highway 401 Centrally-located in southwestern Ontario, Stratford is the ideal strategic location for business success. We are geographically, economically and technologically well situated and we couldn’t be more central to Canada’s most advanced logistical and intellectual assets. Stratford has worked against an impression of being quaint and cultured, but out of the way. The City has turned proximity to larger centres into opportunities for collaboration: Kitchener-Waterloo for its university and technology culture, and London for its university and healthcare expertise; and large cities such as Toronto, Detroit, Buffalo and Chicago as theatre and tourism markets. Stratford is an entrepreneurial friendly place that has a high level of flexibility and energy offering readily available small business resources, a large community of small businesses and a great place to start your own business.
The City of Stratford has an attractive selection of competitively priced, fully serviced and properly zoned development sites for any size company wishing to locate or expand in our community. To promote an environment where local businesses can flourish, the City of Stratford does not apply development charges against our local industrial construction. Stratford also offers some of the most reasonably priced land in Southern Ontario.
Commercial Development
Stratford is a regional shopping destination for much of the surrounding area. Increased consumer spending and a stable economic base have enabled Stratford's commercial sector to expand and prosper. The DOWNTOWN BUSINESS CORE is a vibrant area containing a variety of shops and boutiques that appeal to residents and visitors alike. The well-preserved heritage buildings, ample parking and low retail vacancy rate make for a unique downtown experience.
The FESTIVAL MARKETPLACE and STRATFORD MALL, as well as several commercial plazas throughout the City, offer even more shopping opportunities for consumers throughout the City.
A significant amount of commercial development has taken place outside the downtown core. The most significant areas are located along the major corridors into the City: Ontario Street (east of Romeo), Huron Street (west of Forman Avenue) and Erie Street (south of Cambria Street).
The City is taking a proactive approach to development in these areas to achieve a more distinctive and aesthetically pleasing appearance for these gateways. The City imposes a development charge for commercial development. The rate has been established at $2.09 per square foot.
Economic Development Department’s Mandate
- Promote new business and investment opportunities within Stratford
- Publish business-related data, promotional literature and business directories
- Assist realtors and developers in site location matters
- Research information for specific business inquiries
- Act as a liaison between City departments, provincial and federal government offices, and various agencies
- Market the City of Stratford in national and international business publications and tradeshows
- Assist new and existing Stratford businesses with expansion plans and other business-related matters
- Manage the development and growth of the City-owned business parks
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