Invest Whitby: 2025 Year-in-Review

The Invest Whitby team experienced a year of strong momentum and meaningful progress in 2025. From new business openings to major private-sector investments and community partnerships, Whitby’s business ecosystem continued to grow through new builds, exciting expansions, and increased confidence in the local economy. This momentum positions Invest Whitby well as it delivers the 2022–2026 Economic Development Strategy and prepares for the next strategic planning period.

Key highlights delivered by the Invest Whitby Team include:

• Council approval of a $1.5 million, 10-year naming rights agreement for the future Fieldgate Sports Complex
• A multi-million-dollar investment in the new 279,000 sq. ft. Mazda Canada Parts Distribution Centre
• Expedited implementation of the Mayor’s Tariff Task Force, which received the 2025 Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Recovery Award
• Amendments to the procurement by-law to prioritize the purchase of goods and services from Canadian suppliers
• The opening of more than 105 new businesses in Whitby in 2025
• Delivery of Whitby Local Business Week 2025, a week-long celebration of local businesses and entrepreneurship
• Partnership with the Whitby Chamber of Commerce to deliver the 2025 Job Fair, connecting job seekers with local employers and supporting workforce development
• Hosting sector-specific roundtables to engage industry leaders, identify challenges, and inform future programming
• Launch of the Invest Whitby LinkedIn page, strengthening the Economic Development team’s digital presence
• Participation in EDCO Tourism’s Meet the Dragons event to support efforts to attract a new hotel and conference centre to Whitby
• Durham Region being named the 2025 Intelligent Community of the Year, supported in part by initiatives led by the Town of Whitby

As Invest Whitby enters 2026, the team is focused on advancing several key priority areas to continue supporting a resilient, competitive, and growing business community. Key areas of work include:

• Completing the 2022–2026 Economic Development Strategy and beginning the development of a new strategy that reflects the evolving needs of Whitby’s business community
• Advancing the implementation and completion of the Intelligent Cities Action Plan, including five data-driven community projects led by Invest Whitby
• Continuing proactive lead generation and management efforts to attract new businesses and employment opportunities to the Town of Whitby
• Identifying emerging issues and providing targeted support through the Invest Whitby Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program
• Continuing efforts to attract a new hotel and conference centre to the Town of Whitby
• Supporting businesses in priority sectors through targeted sector roundtables to identify emerging trends and opportunities for growth, including Advanced Manufacturing, Information and Communications Technology, Professional Services, Downtown and Lifestyle Businesses, and Clean Energy
• Supporting workforce development initiatives, including the Whitby Chamber of Commerce Job Fair, which attracts more than 1,000 job seekers annually
• Implementing the updated Concierge Program to help secure and advance significant development opportunities in Whitby
• Delivering the annual Whitby Local Business Week to engage, inform, and support the local business community
• Providing ongoing support to businesses impacted by tariffs through the Mayor’s Tariff Task Group

With an exciting year ahead, Invest Whitby looks forward to continuing to strengthen connections, support growth, and advance economic development opportunities across the Town of Whitby.

For more 2025 Town of Whitby success stories, read Mayor Roy's 2025 Year in Review.

Interested in getting more Invest Whitby Content? Follow us on our Invest Whitby LinkedIn page.