Business Retention & Employment: Economy
In the Severn Sound watershed:
- Residents work mainly within Simcoe County.
- Residents have the greatest opportunity to find employment within their place of residence if they live in Midland, Orillia and Penetanguishene.
- Chambers of Commerce and Community Futures Development Corporations in the watershed support and/or are involved in economic development through various programs.
- Significant number of expected retirements in the near future is putting pressures on the supply of skilled trades in manufacturing and construction sectors.
- Recent economic downtown is creating further concerns for the manufacturing sector.
- The discrepancy between wages, availability of full time employment and cost of housing create significant economic barriers for Orillia, Oro-Medonte and Severn Township.
- Employment trends include shortages of skilled trades, workforce shortages, youth out-migration, an aging workforce, the need for higher levels of education, and gaps in Francophone Services.
- Retail and Service Sectors and Tourism/ Hospitality employers are indicating difficulties in finding staff and many, such as Tim Hortons, have implemented incentive programs to encourage applications for employment.
- The County of Simcoe’s new Official Plan determines the optimum locations for future employment and is planning an ‘employment corridor’ planned for Hwy 11 in Oro Medonte.
- 66,100 additional jobs are forecast for the watershed in 2031 by the Provincial Places to Grow legislation.