With a renewed focus on people, the Economic Development and Tourism Strategy positions and promotes Guelph as a destination of choice to attract visitors, top talent and investments. It is a guiding document to support local businesses, develop the city’s workforce and improve the local economy, and increase revenues for the Guelph Junction Railway. It also recognizes the importance of meaningful relationships between the City and businesses of all types and sizes and promotes Guelph as a destination of choice to attract visitors, top talent and investments. It is a guiding document to support local businesses, develop the city’s workforce and improve the local economy, and increase revenues for the Guelph Junction Railway. It also recognizes the importance of meaningful relationships between the City and businesses of all types and sizes.

The five-year strategy aims to support local businesses, create jobs and attract investments through the growth of advanced manufacturing, agri-innovation and life sciences; identified within the strategy as Guelph’s essential industry clusters because they use innovative technology to improve products or processes and help increase competitiveness and sustainability. Cleantech, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and tourism are also prioritized in the strategy as key sectors that drive our economy forward.  

The City is now implementing several programs and initiatives to:

• expand support for existing businesses;
• attract targeted investment;
• champion an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem;
• advance talent attraction and skill development;
• build a must-see visitor destination in Ontario; and
• enhance Guelph’s unique brand for business, talent and visitors.

The Economic Development and Tourism strategy supports a future-ready Guelph by helping to create a sustainable, creative and smart local economy that is connected to regional and global markets and supports shared prosperity for everyone. The strategy also supports the community’s vision for fostering inclusive prosperity as reflected in the Community Plan.