Skip to content

Conveniently located between Canada’s capital, Ottawa, and Canada’s business centre, Toronto.

Business Feedback: Challenges

Top-Requested Information by Local Businesses

  • What funding is available for businesses (focus on grants, not loans)
  • Where to find skilled employees and workforce
  • Support in promoting their business through digital marketing support and knowledge
  • Assistance with finding buildings for relocation or expansion (to rent or own)
  • Business plan creation and support
  • Process for adding small accommondations on properties such as tents/yurts/geometric domes and how to approach planning departments

Barriers to Business

Businesses are reporting the following barriers to business growth in the region. PKED works with industry partners, agencies, and municipal staff to mitigate these barriers; however, a collaborative approach will be required to address these high-level challenges.

aerial view of George Street in downtown Peterborough

Low inventory of available lands and buildings

two people stand over a piece of manufacturing machinery

Workforce skills gap for many local employers

Last-minute accommodation booking

←

Start-Ups & Entrepreneurship

→

Business Feedback: Opportunities

Peterborough & the Kawarthas is in the process of undergoing significant changes to the economic development and tourism delivery model in the region. Community Futures Peterborough is now operating the regional Small Business Enterprise Centre (Business Advisory Centre).

Beginning in 2025, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County will assume full responsibility for economic development and tourism services, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development will cease operations at the end of 2024.

For economic development support please contact:

Peterborough County: www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdevtourism or contact Rhonda Keenan at 1-800-710-9586 ext. 2600

City of Peterborough: www.peterborough.ca or call 1-800-855-3755

For tourism and visitor services support please contact:

Peterborough County: www.ptbocounty.ca/ecdevtourism or contact Tracie Bertrand at 1-800-710-9586 ext. 2502

City of Peterborough: https://peterborough.ca/en/explore-and-play/explore-and-play.aspx or 1-800-855-3755

NOTE: investptbo.ca website will be decommissioned on November 20th, 2024