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Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Live More in South Georgian Bay?  Here are answers to some common questions to help you with your transition.  If you still have more questions, feel free to contact us.  We’re looking forward to welcoming you to our amazing community.

I Am A:

Business Professional

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What resources are available for me in pursuing a job search?
There are excellent innovative companies in South Georgian Bay offering exciting career opportunities.  A great place to start is our careers portal at https://jobs.livemorenow.ca.  It is kept up-to-date with recent postings.  It also has a listing of the companies that make up TECH HUB NORTH – innovative & progressive companies who are recognized leaders in their field. It’s a great resource if you’re looking to target specific companies with your search.
Are there professional organizations, groups or networks that I can connect with in Collingwood?
Definitely.  The South Georgian Bay business community is very welcoming and there are several business networking groups.

A great place to start your search is by using the South Georgian Bay BizGrid which provides timely and relevant resources tailored to your specific business needs. 

Here is an additional list of networks you can tap into:

Collingwood Young Professionals Group 

Collingwood Chamber of Commerce

Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce  

Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce  

Meaford Chamber of Commerce

BNI Georgian Triangle 

BNI Thrive

BNI The Blue Mountains (Thornbury)

Rotary Club of Collingwood

Rotary Club of Collingwood South Georgian Bay

Rotary Club of Wasaga Beach & Area

Rotary Club of Meaford  

Rotaract Club South Georgian Bay

How can I find rental accommodation in South Georgian Bay?
South Georgian Bay has is growing rapidly and, as a result, rental accommodations are a highly sought after commodity.  The best place to start is with one of our talented real estate professionals.
How can I find housing in the Collingwood area?
Contact one of the area’s local real estate professionals.  They are extremely knowledgeable and can provide all the information you need for your accommodation search.  Whether you want to be near the beach, the slopes or some of the finest restaurants in the province, they’ll help you find the perfect place.
My family is coming with me. What resources are available to help with their transition?
The communities of South Georgian Bay are legendary for both their welcoming nature and the wealth of activities they offer to people of all ages and interests.  A great place to start your research and planning is by taking a look at the Activity Guides for the local communities:

 

Collingwood  

Blue Mountains

Wasaga Beach  

Meaford

How do I keep up-to-date with events & activities around Town?
There is always something happening in South Georgian Bay so it’s important to keep up-to-speed.  For business events, make sure you check out the Events page on the Collingwood.business website and subscribe to the quarterly newsletter.

For Community Events follow:
Experience Collingwood:
https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceCollingwood/
https://www.instagram.com/experience.collingwood/

MyCollingwood.ca:
https://www.facebook.com/mycollingwoodca/
https://www.instagram.com/mycollingwood/

Blue Mountain Village:
https://www.facebook.com/BlueMtnVillage/
https://www.instagram.com/bluemtnvillage/

South Georgian Bay Tourism:
https://www.facebook.com/SGeorgianBay/
https://www.instagram.com/sgeorgianbay/

Municipality of Meaford:
https://www.facebook.com/municipalityofmeaford/

What’s the lifestyle like in South Georgian Bay?
South Georgian Bay offers a lifestyle second-to-none.  Rich in history and tradition, the region has long been both a great place to work and a beautiful natural playground.  Home to beautiful beaches, hundreds of kilometres of hiking & biking trails, Ontario’s best alpine & nordic skiing and some of the region’s leading restaurants and bars.  It’s no wonder forward-thinking people (just like you) are increasingly choosing South Georgian Bay for both work and play

Business Owner / Entrepreneur

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What resources are available to help me start my business
For advice, connections and financial support, look no further than the South Georgian Bay business development centre located in Downtown Collingwood.

The Business Development Centre of South Georgian Bay is a collaborative project between the Town of Collingwood, the Downtown Collingwood Business Improvement Area (BIA), the provincially supported Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC), and the federally supported Centre for Business and Economic Development (CBED).
  
If you’re looking for an online resource, the South Georgian Bay BizGrid is a dynamic directory of resources to help you start and grow your business in the region.  http://bizgrid.ca
I want to move my business to South Georgian Bay – where should I start?
Your first call should be to The Business Development Centre of South Georgian Bay.  This collective is purpose-built to assist business owners in all aspects of setting up or relocating a business to South Georgian bay.
Are there any co-working spaces or incubators for my business in South Georgian Bay?
Yes.  Check out BizGrid for a full listing of co-working spaces in South Georgian Bay.  In Collingwood, Collingwood Foundry, The Clever Office  and Creator’s Cafe all offer co-working space and services.
What financing options can I tap into for my business?
Financing resources can be found using the South Georgian Bay Bizgrid.
How do I find commercial space for my business?
A local real estate professional can help you identify the best commercial / industrial / retail spaces around the region.
I have questions about zoning, bylaws or regulations. Who can I contact to ask questions?
Your best first contact as a business owner is the local office of Economic Development:

 

Collingwood

Wasaga Beach

Town of The Blue Mountains

Meaford

Clearview Township

How do I find staff for my business in Collingwood?
Posting your job on South Georgian Bay’s new job portal for progressive careers is a great place to start.  Submit your job online by visiting https://jobs.livemorenow.ca/. 

For hourly or contract employees you can reach out to TRACKS Employment Services or Career Solutions to find great candidates.