Economic Development Strategy Annual Implementation Update 2018

4,700+companies =

69,000+jobs.

Employment growth of

1.5% or

1,025jobs added.

Richmond Hill experienced growth with new companies and jobs created between 2016 and 2017.

Source: 2017 York Region Employment Survey

The Economic Development Strategy is underpinned by four high level goals1, intended to anchor all strategic initiatives and actions. The following actions were implemented by the Economic Development team from mid-2017 to mid-2018.

•The Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre (RHSBEC) provided training, mentorship and funding to assist small businesses that make up 85% of all businesses in Richmond Hill

•Refreshed the RHSBEC marketing materials and established new partnerships and collaborations with community organizations to provide resources to small businesses

Foster an innovation ecosystem that supports business growth and investmentGoal 1

32 grants of

$128,000 totalfunded Starter Company Plus

and Summer Company programs

62businesses started

7businesses expanded

2017 Key Sector Employment

Health Care and Social Assistance 8,941 Employed

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 7,471 Employed

Finance and Insurance 4,239 Employed

Information and Cultural Industries 1,654 Employed

Sector Total Employment

ecdev@richmondhill.ca • 905-771-8800 BusinessRichmondHill.ca

Economic Development Strategy Annual Implementation Update 2018

Establish Richmond Hill as the “Creative Centre” of York Region Goal 2

1 Source: Staff Report for Economic Development Task Force [SRCAO.18.09]

•Collaborated on implementing the Town of Richmond Hill Cultural Plan recommendations, including the Creative Industries Symposium, Creativity Connected Awards, Cultural Summit, Arts Awards and workshops for business start-ups

•Promoted the Richmond Hill Centre as an area for higher density development. The most notable example over the past year was Richmond Hill’s response to the Amazon HQ2 RFP

•Partnered with York Region Rapid Corporation (YRRTC) on the initial stage for the design and engineering phase of the Yonge Subway Extension. Upon completion, it will provide a public transit link to attract talent and encourage business growth

•Developed and implemented a marketing campaign for the Town’s Community Improvement Plan that provides grants for new office development and building renovation in designated Richmond Hill areas

•Engaged with post-secondary institutions and innovation hubs to further drive innovation, collaboration and opportunities to source talent for Richmond Hill companies

•Conducted 90 corporate visits as part of the Corporate Calling Program to understand Richmond Hill companies and support them to reach their business goals

•Collaborated with the Richmond Hill Center for Business Development (CBD) to attract foreign companies to launch tech-based businesses in Richmond Hill, and help local tech-based companies expand internationally

• Introduced an online GIS interactive mapping tool that provides information on Richmond Hill’s vacant employment land inventory and to showcase new greenfield development opportunities

• Increased community engagements on social media by implementing social hashtags: #RichmondHill #WhoisHiring #FollowFriday #MedEdge #CreativityConnected #ccAwards #BusinessAmbassador

•Developed a Business Concierge Pilot Program called RH Concierge that is aimed at reducing the amount of time needed for the development application approval process

•Featured Richmond Hill companies in the YorkLink.ca marketing campaign as part of a continuous effort to highlight Richmond Hill within York Region

•Launched the two page Smart Place for Business flyer that highlights the key benefits of starting and growing a business in Richmond Hill

•Launched the Richmond Hill Business Ambassador Program – an initiative to recruit and support Business Ambassadors to attract new businesses to Richmond Hill and helps brand Richmond Hill as The Smart Place for Business

Enable the growth of technology-based business and industryGoal 3

Promote a confident community identityGoal 4

ecdev@richmondhill.ca • 905-771-8800 BusinessRichmondHill.ca