Our bid to bring Amazon’s second world-headquarters to Simcoe County appears to have formally ended, but our efforts to promote our region to business investors around the world can certainly be viewed as a huge success and we celebrate the businesses and industries that are already located here and have discovered the benefits of working and living in this region. Our objectives were to promote our area with the goal of ultimately creating jobs and investment in Simcoe County.

We had a very impressive and serious bid that was endorsed by our federal and provincial partners. Landing Amazon was always going to be a challenge for each jurisdiction that made a submission but absolutely worth the effort for us to showcase our region and attract other businesses and economic growth to our area. Our message was heard by industry, businesses, and our residents that we are open for business. We offer something unique too – something that business leaders and workers want – an incredible alternative to the huge and expensive urban centres. Many business leaders and industries have told us that and proven it by locating here in Central Ontario.

Through our North of Ordinary pitch, which received incredible media coverage and social media engagement within and beyond our borders, we’ve shown the GTA, the province, the federal government, and international markets the Simcoe County experience and opportunity is North of Ordinary – beyond regular – and we’re investment ready.

·       Our efforts to lure Amazon to Simcoe County were recognized by the economic development branches at both the provincial and federal level

·       National and international investors now know and understand that we have available and shovel-ready employment lands, infrastructure in place, a highly skilled labour market and local governments that are willing and ready to work collaboratively and quickly to form meaningful partnerships

·       Our current businesses heard loud and clear that we are here to help them grow and thrive

·       We created excitement and promise among residents, students and job seekers

Over the past four years we have worked hard at the County to expand our economic development portfolio and role. From hosting international business familiarization tours, attending sector-specific trade shows, developing local strategies to support current businesses and building labour focused training and education programs, such as the Skilled Trades Expo, we are making huge strides to grow our economy, help businesses and create jobs. We welcome other businesses and industries to reach out and join the North of Ordinary movement. We certainly remain available to assist the Toronto bid partners and the Province of Ontario in any way on their continuing efforts with Amazon.

Gerry Marshall
Warden, County of Simcoe