Brant Economic Development

05/21/2026

Today is the LAST DAY to nominate a business for Salute to Brant business awards! Nominate today before it is too late!

The five awards open to nominations in 2026 include:
🏆Accessible Brant Award
🏆Brant Farms for All Agriculture Award
🏆Brant Works Innovation Award
🏆Good Times in Brant Award
🏆Our Future Brant Sustainability Award

Businesses, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to submit nominations to help celebrate the remarkable work taking place in the community. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit www.brant.ca/Salute

05/20/2026

Last week, the County of Brant's Economic Development team released the May edition of the Economic Development and Tourism Newsletter.

This month's newsletter features information on the newly launched Rural Prosperity Community Improvement Plan (www.brant.ca/RPCIP), the 2025 Economic Development and Tourism Year-End Report (www.brant.ca/Invest), and the extension of award nominations for Salute to Brant 2025 (www.brant.ca/Salute).

To read the May edition of the newsletter, click here -> https://mailchi.mp/02b38e2e3701/brantnewslettermay26

To subscribe, click here -> www.brant.ca/EcDevSubscribe

05/19/2026

Salute to Brant nominations close THIS WEEK (Thursday, May 21)! Be sure to submit your nominations before it is too late!

Nominate today at www.brant.ca/Salute

Nominations for Salute to Brant have been EXTENDED until Thursday, May 21! Be sure to nominate a business in the County of Brant that you believe has excelled in one of the five categories before they close for the year!

The five awards open to nominations in 2026 include:
🏆Accessible Brant Award
🏆Brant Farms for All Agriculture Award
🏆Brant Works Innovation Award
🏆Good Times in Brant Award
🏆Our Future Brant Sustainability Award

Businesses, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to submit nominations to help celebrate the remarkable work taking place in the community. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit www.brant.ca/Salute

05/15/2026

Nominations for Salute to Brant have been EXTENDED until Thursday, May 21! Be sure to nominate a business in the County of Brant that you believe has excelled in one of the five categories before they close for the year!

The five awards open to nominations in 2026 include:
🏆Accessible Brant Award
🏆Brant Farms for All Agriculture Award
🏆Brant Works Innovation Award
🏆Good Times in Brant Award
🏆Our Future Brant Sustainability Award

Businesses, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to submit nominations to help celebrate the remarkable work taking place in the community. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit www.brant.ca/Salute

05/11/2026

May 15th is the last day to nominate a business for Salute to Brant 2026! Do you know a business that deserves to be recognized in the County of Brant? Nominate them today!

The five awards open to nominations in 2026 include:
🏆Accessible Brant Award
🏆Brant Farms for All Agriculture Award
🏆Brant Works Innovation Award
🏆Good Times in Brant Award
🏆Our Future Brant Sustainability Award

Businesses, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to submit nominations to help celebrate the remarkable work taking place in the community. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit

Learn more about Salute to Brant, a networking and sharing event to celebrate businesses in the County of Brant.

05/08/2026

This past week (May 4th to May 8th) is Economic Development Week, and the County of Brant has celebrated and launched several Economic Development initiatives this week!

✂️Grand Openings: This week, two businesses celebrated grand openings with the County of Brant! Whether it is a new "main street" restaurant like Il Posto Giusto Pizzeria e Bakeria or a large industrial building like 1200 Degrees Ontario, the County of Brant's Economic Development team is here to support your business in every step of its journey.

📈2025 Year-End Report Launches: Each year, the County of Brant releases a year-end report to showcase key statistics related to economic development and tourism in the community. Data analysis and measuring performance are key activities in economic development, and the County of Brant's economic development team can provide your business with key data points, including demographics related to employment and education, to help make your investment decision. To view the 2025 Year-End Report, visit www.brant.ca/Invest

🚜Rural Prosperity Community Improvement Plan (RPCIP): The County of Brant is now accepting applications for the RPCIP for On-Farm Diversified Uses, Additional Residential Units, existing rural tourism businesses, and commercial and mixed-use buildings in Brant rural hamlets. For more information on the RPCIP, visit www.brant.ca/RPCIP

Economic development in the County of Brant takes many forms, but at its core it aims to grow a strong, diversified local economy. To meet with the County's Economic Development team to learn how we can assist your business, visit https://webforms.brant.ca/Economic-Development-and-Tourism/Request-a-Meeting

05/08/2026

Congratulations to 1200 Degrees Ontario on their Grand Opening in Burford yesterday! Located at 356 Bishopsgate Road, this new 18,000 square foot facility will allow the company to service trucks and sell equipment to first responders throughout the province.

05/07/2026

The County of Brant is pleased to announce the launch of the Rural Prosperity Community Improvement Plan (RPCIP), a new program designed to support farms, rural tourism operators, and property owners across the County’s hamlets.

Approved by Council in April, the RPCIP provides financial incentives to encourage investment, improve properties, and strengthen the local rural economy.

“The Rural Prosperity Community Improvement Plan is an important step in supporting the sustainability of our rural communities,” said Mayor David Bailey. “By helping to offset costs for improvements, we are investing in our farms, businesses, and rural areas in the County for years to come.”

Building on the success of the County’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) program, the RPCIP applies to rural areas outside of the urban boundaries of Paris, St. George, and Burford, offering a range of grant programs to support eligible projects.

At its core, the RPCIP is designed to reduce the cost of improving buildings, upgrading signage, repurposing existing structures, and completing planning or building approvals.

Available grant programs include:
✔ Façade Improvement Grant
✔ Signage Improvement Grant
✔ Property and Private Parking Area Improvement Grant
✔ Application Fee Grant
✔ Adaptive Commercial Reuse Grant
✔ Housing/Residential Unit Improvement Grant

These programs aim to support farm viability, enhance tourism experiences, improve housing options, and encourage the reuse of existing buildings rather than new development.

Eligible applicants may include:
📍Farms with on-farm diversified uses or additional residential units
📍Rural tourism businesses
📍Commercial, institutional, or mixed-use properties in hamlets and villages

Eligibility requirements vary by program, and all projects must meet County policies and receive approval before work begins.

Interested applicants are asked to contact County staff before submitting an application to confirm eligibility and discuss project details. Funding is limited and subject to Council approval.

“The RPCIP reflects what we heard from our rural community,” said Zach Gable, Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “There is strong interest in practical improvements that support local businesses, agriculture, and tourism while maintaining the character of rural Brant.”

To learn more about the Rural Prosperity Community Improvement Plan, including eligibility and how to apply, visit: www.brant.ca/RPCIP

For questions, please contact the County of Brant Economic Development team at [email protected] or call 519.44BRANT (519.442.7268) / TF 1.855.44BRANT.

05/04/2026

The County of Brant is pleased to share the 2025 Economic Development and Tourism Year End Report. The report highlights key accomplishments, recognizes local industries, and outlines the support provided by the Economic Development and Tourism Division to the community.

“2025 was a record-breaking year for industrial and commercial development in the County of Brant,” said Zach Gable, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the County of Brant. “Despite shifting market conditions, we are proud that the County continues to be a location that is desired for investment, both large and small.”

When available, data in the report is compared year over year and across a five-year period to highlight trends and changes in key metrics. In addition, the report serves as an important investment attraction tool, comparing the County of Brant to neighbouring municipalities on measures such as tax rates and development charges. It also features stories about local businesses and recent investments, showcasing why the County of Brant is an attractive community for businesses of all sizes.

The 2025 Year End Report showcases an impressive year of investments in the community, celebrations of Arts, Culture, and Heritage through special events, and various impact mitigation efforts for construction, specifically in Downtown Paris, Ontario throughout The Downtown Dig.

Key highlights include:
✔ $160,650,000 in Industrial and Commercial building permits issued, representing a 500% increase in industrial and commercial permits compared to 2024
✔ 19 Community Improvement Plan applications were approved across Paris, St. George, and Burford. The total funding approved for these applications totaled $257,180, which would be leveraged to make $1,398,152 in property improvements
✔ The County of Brant was ranked the seventh (7th) best community in Canada for Small Municipalities for Culture Days | Fête de la culture, with 50 participating events taking place. The estimated attendance at these events was 4,154 people
✔ Major investments in the County of Brant in 2025 include Amazon at Rest Acres Road and Highway 403, and 1200 Degrees Group in Burford on Bishopsgate Road
✔ The County of Brant received two (2) Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) Awards of Excellence for marketing and communications during the Downtown Dig. The awards were received in the categories of Excellence in Rural Economic Development, and Business Attraction and Retention – Rural.

“2025 was a busy year, and we look forward to continuing to provide our community with the support, tools, and resources needed for success,” said Zach Gable, Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “We remain committed to showcasing all that the County of Brant has to offer—both locally and beyond.”

To view the 2025 Year End Report and find more information about Economic Development in the County of Brant, visit brant.ca/Invest

05/04/2026

Congratulations to Il Posto Giusto Pizzeria e Bakeria on their Grant Opening this morning in Downtown Paris, Ontario 91 Grand River Street North.

Fun Fact! “Il Posto Giusto” translates to “The Right Place” from Italian!