With our in-depth knowledge of operating businesses in Lakeshore, we can provide you great advice to start, grow, or pivot your business.
A good first step in any new business or expansion project would be a consultation with a professional from the Division of Economic Development and Mobility(EDM). This conversation can be set up within hours - either over the phone, in-person, or using video-calling technology. The professional staff at EDM can help with business basics including available funding, operating costs, legal structures, administration, planning, building, and zoning. The goal of the Division is to help you and your business. Even better, there is no cost to you to work with our economic development professionals.
Contact the Division Leader, Economic Development and Mobility via email: ecdev@lakeshore.ca or via phone 519.728.9758 ext. 240
Starting a Business |
THE PLANNING The team at Lakeshore can help take your dream to a reality. As a great first step, set up a meeting with the Division of Economic Development and Mobility (EDM). Our professionals can guide you through site selection, business planning, general legal requirements, and provide initial comments about the Municipality's specific requirements. Your contact will act as your main liaison to all Lakeshore staff. THE SPACE If you are building a new facility, making any structural changes to your space, or changing the use of the space, you will need to have a pre-consultation meeting with internal Lakeshore staff. This meeting will outline all requirements from you to get you business up and running. THE BUSINESS CASE Depending on where you are at in the planning process or the type of business you are setting up, staff can connect you to Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC) or Invest WindsorEssex (IWE). The team at SBEC and IWE works with entrepreneurs on a daily basis and has specific training and resources that can best set you and your new business up for success! ED&M will also help outline general best practices to help grow and sustain your business in the following business areas:
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Expanding Your Business |
Are you planning on expanding the footprint of your business or adding an additional use? You will likely need to set up a pre-consultation meeting to outline what is required from the various departments within Lakeshore. Economic Development and Mobility staff will provide some initial consultation and will be a main point of contact throughout the growth process. Depending on the project you are planning, EDM will work with you to try to find relevant financial incentives to help offset the cost of growth. For more information about incentives, see the section below. |
Site Selection |
Invest WindsorEssex has a comprehensive Site Selector Tool that the staff at EDM are well trained in navigating. You can explore properties by yourself, or request assistance from the staff in Lakeshore. This tool does a good job of identifying existing facilities for sale or lease; however, most greenfield development is not actively listed. Depending on your proposed location and the requirements of your site, you may be better suited to a greenfield development. For a greenfield development, EDM has a strong understanding of available and correctly zoned parcels of land within the Municipality. EDM works closely with the Division of Planning and will help guide you through the development process.
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Incentives |
LAKESHORE INCENTIVES Lakeshore currently has a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) in place in a section of the Municipality. The CIP generally covers the Community of Belle River and includes eight different funding sources to support your project. EDM can provide advice on your CIP application prior to submission.
REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL INCENTIVES A comprehensive list of incentives can be located through the Invest WindsorEssex page. Lakeshore staff will work with regional economic development professionals to put together a list of programs that may support the project. If the project has significant investment and extensive jobs associated with the development, provincial or federal incentives may be available. A good first stop to check for Business Benefits is the Government of Canada Business Benefits Finder. Lakeshore staff can also help connect you to any of the following benefits or contacts through the Employer Support Matrix.
FOREIGN TRADE ZONE The entire Windsor-Essex region is designated as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), which allows tax and tariff exemptions to promote cross-border business and production. Lakeshore staff will be able to connect you to the appropriate staff at Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) to access the Foreign Trade Zone Point services. For more information on the FTZ advantages, view this video or visit the comprehensive FTZ page through IWE. |
Quick Reference Starter Guides |
Download a quick reference guide to help walk you through the process of starting or expanding a business. The guides provide advice, items to consider, and links to key approval authorities. |
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