The Town of Ontario is seeking a qualified consulting firm to develop a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and a Downtown Economic Development Roadmap. This initiative will guide the municipality's economic development efforts over a five-year period, focusing on strengthening competitiveness in business attraction, expansion, and retention. The consultant will address workforce development, employment growth, infrastructure enhancements, and improvements to investment readiness, with the goal of reducing barriers to business growth and targeting key industries and sectors that align with local skills and opportunities.

A critical component of this project is the creation of an investment attraction brand that underscores the area's economic, tourism, cultural, and quality-of-life advantages. The selected consultant will also devise domestic and international marketing strategies, including sector-specific and foreign direct investment (FDI) outreach. Strategies must integrate support for the 2025–2028 Stouffville Visitor Plan, strengthening the visitor experience and supporting tourism-related businesses. The region's significant population growth, currently at 32%, emphasizes the need for robust planning to meet rising demands for business services, employment, and infrastructure. Community-based engagement is expected throughout the planning process. The contract will have a five-year duration.