Economic Development

Home/Doing Business/Economic Development

Economic Development in Wilmot

Economic Development in the Township of Wilmot is a function of the Planning division within the Development Services Department.

Whether you are starting a new business, looking for lands to expand or establish your business, or are looking for help to navigate through the development process, Township staff are here to assist you.

Resources

Tariff support for Waterloo Region businesses

The Business and Economic Support Team for Waterloo Region (BESTWR) is working with governments and partners to advocate on behalf of the local business community.

For information, please visit the Tariff support website.

Region of Waterloo land assembly in Wilmot

The Region of Waterloo is assembling shovel-ready land in Wilmot to secure thousands of new jobs and bring billions of dollars of investment to our local economy. For more information, please visit the Region of Waterloo's land assembly in Wilmot page.

Taste the Countryside Food Map 2024 to 2026

The Taste the Countryside Food Map highlights Waterloo Region’s agricultural producers and is sponsored by the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich as well as Explore Waterloo Region and Waterloo-Wellington Community Futures.

Taste the Countryside Fall 2024

Taste the Countryside – Fall Harvest is a 10-day dining event promoting delicious menus that incorporate local produce as prepared by food establishments located in Waterloo Region’s townships.

The event runs from November 14 - November 24, 2024

For more information, please visit the Taste the Countryside website.

The event features four of Wilmot's establishments: Baden Coffee Company, Imperial Market & Eatery, MeMe's Cafe & Scran & Dram Scottish Public House.

Temporary Patio Permits

Temporary Sidewalk and Parking Lot Patios

Effective January 1, 2023 the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) created a new framework for temporary outdoor physical extensions.

Temporary patio approvals can be sought through the completion of a Temporary Patio Permit application. Please ensure you review the Township Protocol and Procedures for Establishment or Expansion of Temporary Commercial Patios on Private Property prior to completing the application.

Temporary On-Street Patios (Region of Waterloo road allowances)

The purpose of the Region of Waterloo Temporary On-Street Patio / Pop-Up Guidelines is to establish guidelines with all applicable laws and regulations, Regional By-laws, policies, and practices for temporary outdoor patio expansions on Regionally owned lands.

Past programs

Taste the Countryside Fall 2023

Taste the Countryside – Fall Harvest was a 10-day dining event promoting delicious menus that incorporate local produce as prepared by food establishments located in Waterloo Region’s townships.

The event ran from September 21 to September 30, 2023.

For more information, please visit the Taste the Countryside website.

The event featured six of Wilmot's establishments: Baden Coffee Company, Herrle's Country Market, Imperial Market & Eatery, Melina's Grill, MeMe's Cafe & Scran & Dram Scottish Public House.

Wilmot Shop Local Bingo

This event occurred from November 4 to December 25, 2021. Visit the bingo site for more information.

COVID-19 Business Supports

Free Eclipse Masks for small businesses

As a result of a generous donation from Eclipse Automation, Township staff were able to distribute over 30,000 level 3 surgical grade masks to small businesses in Wilmot Township during 2021 and early-2022.

Local businesses will be notified if additional masks become available for distribution.

Disinfecting wipes available to small businesses

The Township received 120 Boxes (containing 12 packages of 15 "On-The-Go" wipes) donated by a local business who received them from their supplier. The business would like to acknowledge Global Medic and ATTSAR for the donation. The boxes were offered and distributed to small businesses in Wilmot Township.

Rapid antigen point-of-care tests for employees of small and medium-sized businesses

The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, launched the StaySafe™ COVID-19 Rapid Screening Pilot in Waterloo Region. The StaySafe™ program provided free rapid antigen point-of-care tests for employees of small- and medium-sized businesses.

The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and Communitech are also helped small and medium sized businesses to directly access screening kits and implement rapid screening programs for their employees.

The Restaurant & Bar Support Fund

A private sector relief fund was launched March 4, 2021 to help support as many Ontario food and beverage establishments as possible in reopening and recovering from the financial setbacks of the pandemic. Hockey legend Darryl Sittler laced up his skates to endorse the Restaurant & Bar Support Fund, which looked to raise as much as $5 million for Ontario restaurants, bars, pubs, pool halls and sports bars.

Qualified applicants received a one-time grant of up to $5,000 to assist them in the reopening of their business. Priority is being given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to their staff and neighbourhood.

Contacts