Business Toolkit

Explore interactive community profile dashboards to learn why the Township of Uxbridge in the Region of Durham is an exceptional place to live, work, play and do business.

• Township of Uxbridge Community Profile
• The Durham Advantage

Strategic Plans, Reports and Data

Strategic Plans

• Growing North Durham: Rural Economic Development Action Plan (2023-2027)
• Growing Agri-Food Durham: A Five-Year Plan to Grow the Agri-Food Industry in Durham Region (2023-2027)
• Durham Tourism Strategic Action Plan (2024-2028)
• Connecting our Communities: A Broadband Strategy for Durham Region
• Ready Set Future: A PLACE Blueprint for Durham (2023-2027)
• Uxbridge Community Tourism Plan (2025-2028)

Data Reports 

• 2024 Durham Region Profile – Demographic & Socio-Economic Data (Infographic Summary) 
• 2024 Durham Region Profile – Demographic & Socio-Economic Data (Technical Report)
• 2023 Durham Region Business Count Highlights
• 2022 Township of Uxbridge Market Area Data Report
• 2023 Downtown Uxbridge Visitor Data

Sector Profiles

• Township of Uxbridge Agricultural Profile
• Durham Region Agricultural Profile

Located on the Uxbridge side of the Uxbridge-Stouffville border, the Uxbridge Industrial Park is one of Durham Region’s most sought-after employment areas just minutes away from Highway’s 404 and 407.

See where the Uxbridge Industrial Park is located!

In August of 2020, the Township of Uxbridge launched the Uxbridge Downtown Revitalization project with the goal of developing a cohesive long-term vision for the downtown area along with a Strategic Plan and Action Plan outlining how to get there.

The following reports were also produced as part of the data collection and analysis process:

• Planning and Visualization Report
• Resident Survey Results
• Business Owner Survey Results
• Customer Origin Survey Results
• Market Area Data Report

For more information on all of these reports and the project in general, please visit the Downtown Revitalization project webpage.

Those looking to register a business in the Province of Ontario are encouraged to reach out to the Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) as there are many variables to consider when choosing how to structure a business and how to get it registered with the appropriate levels of government.

BACD’s business advisors can be contacted by emailing bacd@durham.ca or by calling 905-668-4949.

Resources

• Registering your Business – Business Advisory Centre Durham
• Registering your business with the government – Government of Canada
• Register your business online – Government of Ontario 

Visit Invest Durham for information on available properties or contact the Region of Durham’s Rural Economic Development Specialist to discuss your site selection needs.

If the establishment or expansion of your business in the Township of Uxbridge involves any new development or construction, applicants are encouraged to review our Development and Planning webpage, and book a pre-consultation meeting prior to submitting any planning applications.

You may need a building permit for any building and construction project in the Township of Uxbridge. Building permits ensure that your project is built safely and follows the Ontario Building Code.

• Learn about Uxbridge’s building permit process.
• The Township of Uxbridge is pleased to offer the business community, builders and residents Cloudpermit – an online system to apply for and track building permit applications anytime and anywhere. Learn more about the new online system!

DC information is current as of July 1, 2024.

Discover municipal and regional development charge rates for your type and size of project.

Note: Both municipal and regional development charges apply

• Township of Uxbridge
• Region of Durham

Learn about incentives available to developers, property owners and business owners in Uxbridge’s Community Improvement Plan Area (CIPA).

• Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
• Regional Revitalization Program (RRP)

Certain types of businesses require on-site inspections from Durham Region public health inspectors. Learn about public health inspection programs that may affect your business.

If you plan to operate any of the types of businesses listed here, please contact the Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) to learn more about any public health requirements pertaining to your business.

Durham.ca/Health
905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729

BizPal helps business owners understand what municipal, provincial and federal licenses and permits they may need to consider when starting, operating or expanding their business.

If you plan to erect a permanent or temporary sign for your business including, but not limited to, wall signs, ground signs, soffit signs and/or canopy signs, make sure to review the Township’s Sign Permits webpage.

It is recommended that businesses contact the Development Services Department prior to submitting a Sign Permit Application.

Businesses looking to apply for a temporary patio permit on public or private property in the Township of Uxbridge are encouraged to review the Township’s Temporary Seasonal Patio Policy.  To apply, follow the steps below:

• Visit the Township’s Building and Construction webpage
• Open the Building Permit Applications drop-down menu
• Click Apply for a Building Permit which will direct you to Cloudpermit
• Sign up or sign in to Cloudpermit
• When selecting categories and project types within Cloudpermit, select Temporary Structures and Uses > Temporary Placement > Patio

By-Laws

Those currently operating or looking to start a home-based business within the Township of Uxbridge are strongly encouraged review the Township’s Zoning By-Law to ensure they are operating in accordance with Home Occupation and/or Home Industry by-laws.

• See page 326 for Home Occupation by-laws
• See page 339 for Home Industry by-laws

Business Directory

Count your home-based business in and grow your exposure by completing the Durham Region Business Count and opting-in to having your business listed on the Durham Region Business Directory. 

Home-Based Food Premises

Operators are required to notify the Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) when opening a Home-Based Food Premises (HBFP) within the Region. All food premises, including HBFPs, are subject to the requirements of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA), the Ontario Food Premises Regulation and inspections by a DRHD public health inspector.

Depending on the type of foods being prepared out of the HBFP, different requirements may apply. For example, requirements for low risk foods (foods that do not require refrigeration) differ from those for moderate and high risk foods (foods that can support the growth of bacteria and need to be cooked to a high enough temperature for a long enough time and/or stored in the fridge or freezer).

The Durham Region Health Department’s Home-Based Food Premises Info Sheet can help operators determine what requirements apply to them and how to make their HBFP suitable for inspection and operation.

Agricultural businesses bring vibrancy to our rural landscape and support our local economy. For resources related to starting or expanding your agricultural business, please review the following links and connect with agriculture@durham.ca.

• Farm Business Registration – Register your farm business with Agricorp.
• To understand the types of activities that are supported by the province on agricultural lands, review the Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Ontario’s Prime Agricultural Areas report.
• To learn more about diversified agriculture best practices from a municipal approval point of view, review the Best Practices for On-Farm Diversified Uses report.

Durham Region’s entrepreneurship resources can help take your business to the next level.

Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD): Durham Region entrepreneurs can take advantage of BACD’s free business support programming as they start or grow their business. From online or in-person workshops, one-on-one sessions or specialized programming, BACD has helped launch more than 1,700 local businesses and counting.

Georgina Association for Business (GAB): Businesses located in the Township of Uxbridge who are looking for capital to assist with business expansion, the purchase of new assets, the purchase of an existing business or to start-up a new business are encouraged to explore business financing options through the GAB. Approved businesses may receive business loans up to $400,000 in value.

Spark Centre Innovation Hub & Business Incubator: Durham Region’s business incubator providing advisory services, office space and day-to-day operational support to early stage and rapidly growing innovation and technology companies.

DNA Angels: Durham’s Neighbourhood Association (DNA) of Angel Investors (formerly Spark Angels) is a group of investors whose focus is to enable high-potential entrepreneurs, with innovative, scalable ideas to receive the investment they need to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams in Durham Region.

1855 Whitby: Located in the former provincial Land Registry Office in Whitby, 1855 Whitby is Durham Region’s first and only technology accelerator whose mission is to position high potential tech companies for the global stage.

Brilliant Catalyst at Ontario Tech University: Open to all Ontario Tech students, faculty, recent alumni and staff, Brilliant Catalyst offers a range of programs that help founders turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.

FastStart at Durham College: Open to all Durham College students, fast start is designed to help entrepreneurial students develop and launch their own business, while studying at DC.

Government of Canada - Business and Industry: Provides information on business taxes, permits and regulations, intellectual property, business support and how to sell to government agencies.

Starter Company Plus Program: The Starter Company Plus Program is designed to help early-stage business owners grow their business by providing them with knowledge, training, mentorship, and an opportunity to receive up to $5,000 in seed grant funding to help kick off or expand their business venture.

Township Presence at Business Events

Opening a new business? Holding a business event? We are here to help.

The Township of Uxbridge is pleased to support our local businesses and industries. If you are hosting an event of significance or opening a new business, please contact the Office of the Mayor and let us know what you are planning. Supports available include:

• On-site visits by Township Councillors and/or the Mayor
• Liaison with Regional, Provincial and Federal dignitaries
• Connections to our Rural Economic Development Specialist for regional economic development support
• Connections to local business support groups such as the BIA or the Chamber of Commerce
• Resources for planning local promotion

We recommend contacting the Office of the Mayor at least 4 weeks prior to requesting public appearances to aid with scheduling. Contact:

Nadine Messina
nmessina@uxbridge.ca
905-852-9181 ext 202

Durham Region is fortunate enough to be home to three world-class post-secondary institutions educating students in a wide variety of in-demand fields. Explore how your business can Tap into Talent.

• Ontario Tech University
• Durham College
• Trent University Durham GTA  

Diversity in the Workplace

Review the resources below for tips on how to effectively recruit, hire, onboard and integrate newcomers into your business.

• Durham Region Employer Playbook
• Durham Immigration Portal – Hiring Immigrants

Employment Ontario Office

Connect with your local Employment Ontario Job Developer to help get your job postings filled!

• Community Employment Services – North Durham Job Developer
• Community Employment Services – Uxbridge Location

There are several public transit options available in the Township of Uxbridge that can help employees commute to and from their place of work.

GO Transit

GO Bus Route 70-71 operates between Union Station in downtown Toronto and Railway Street and Albert Street in downtown Uxbridge. See the full route schedule for more information.

Durham Region Transit – Scheduled Service

Durham Region Transit (DRT) offers two scheduled service routes that travel through the Township of Uxbridge.

• Route 905 operates between the Whitby GO Station and Railway Street & Albert Street in downtown Uxbridge.
• Route 605 is a local, in-town route that travels through Uxbridge’s commercial area at Toronto Street & Welwood Drive, through downtown Uxbridge and into pockets of Uxbridge’s residential areas.

See DRT’s full route schedule for more information.

Durham Region Transit – On Demand

On Demand is a flexible service that provides customers public transit options in areas of Durham Region where demand does not support scheduled bus service. In rural Uxbridge, customers will be picked up and dropped off at the end of the driveway of their point of origin and destination.

If travelling to a larger community such as Port Perry or Uxbridge, customers will be picked up and dropped off at designated bus stops within the town.

On Demand can also be used to transfer onto Durham Region Transit Route 905 in Uxbridge or Port Perry to continue into the urban area of Durham Region, or to connect to GO Train services at Whitby Station.

Within the Town of Uxbridge, On Demand provides local service, bus stop to bus stop.

Learn more about the On Demand program by reviewing the following resources:

• Durham Region Transit – On Demand
• Durham Region Transit (DRT) – Planning Your Travel

Shopping locally has never been more important – or easier! Take part in region-wide shop local initiatives.

• Shop Where You Live – Shop in Durham
• Downtowns of Durham
• Shop Local Food in Durham Region

Led by Durham OneNet Inc., work is being done to build a Regional Broadband Network (RBN) consisting of 700 kilometres of fibre-optic backbone that will connect Durham Region’s rural communities to high-speed internet.

Similar to a highway network, this backbone will bring high-speed fibre-optic connectivity into our rural communities, providing “off-ramps” that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can leverage and build high-quality last mile networks delivering fast, reliable and affordable internet services.

See whether service is currently available at your business address through any of North Durham’s operating Internet Service Providers (ISP’s):

• Bell Canada
• Rogers
• Communicate Freely
• Vianet
• Xplore Business
• FiberSpeed

Learn more about the progress being made on the Regional Broadband Network!

Uxbridge business owners are encouraged to review the following resources and funding opportunities as they relate to their business.

General

• Invest Durham – Incentives
• Invest Ontario – Incentive Programs and Services
• Ontario Business Grants
• Government of Canada – Business Benefit Finder

Digital Adoption

• Digital Main Street
• Canada Digital Adoption Program

Uxbridge Community Improvement Plan

• Downtown Uxbridge Community Improvement Plan

Tourism

• Central Counties Tourism Partnership Funds
• Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) – Funding & Grant Opportunities

Agriculture

• Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association – Cost-Share Programs
• Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Connect with local or regional business support organizations to be seen, heard and supported in the Township of Uxbridge.

• Uxbridge BIA

• Discover Uxbridge

• North Durham Chamber of Commerce

• Invest Durham

• Durham Tourism

• Central Counties Tourism