Invest Whitby: 2025 Year-in-Review

Over the course of 2025, the Town of Whitby progressed or completed 100% of the 62 action items and initiatives outlined in the Community Strategic Plan, through the hard work of Town Staff and Whitby Council. These action items include initiatives that strengthen municipal governance, engage and support the business community, and attract new and exciting investment opportunities.

The Invest Whitby team saw many noteworthy highlights in 2025. From new businesses opening, to significant business investments and sponsorships, the Town of Whitby business community continues to grow with new builds, exciting expansions, and the momentum to carry Invest Whitby through the 2022  - 2026 Economic Development Strategy and into a new strategic planning period. A few highlights from the Community Strategic Plan action items delivered by the Invest Whitby Team include:

• Council Approval of a $1.5 million, 10-year naming rights agreement with for the future Fieldgate Sports Complex.
• The multi-million-dollar investment of the new 279,000 SQ FT Mazda Canada Parts Distribution Centre
• The expedited implementation of the Mayor’s Tariff Task Force, which won a 205 Economic Developer’s Association of Canada Recovery Award
• Over 105 new businesses opening in 2025
• The amendment of the procurement by-law in order to prioritize the purchase of goods and services from Canadian Suppliers
• The delivery of Whitby Local Business Week 2025, a weeklong celebration of the Whitby business community and local entrepreneurship
• Partnering with the Whitby Chamber of Commerce 2025 Job Fair to connect job seekers to local employers and support workforce development
• Hosting sector-targeted roundtables to connect local industry leaders, identify challenges and gather feedback for future programming
• The new Invest Whitby LinkedIn account, strengthening the digital presence of the Economic Development team
• Attending the EDCO Dragon’s event with the intent to attract a new hotel and conference centre to the Town of Whitby
• Whitby, as part of Durham Region, was named one of eight Intelligent Communities worldwide

As we enter 2026, a few key areas of work that Invest Whitby looks forward to working on include:

• Wrapping up the 2022 – 2026 Economic Development Strategy and beginning to develop a new strategy reflective of the emerging needs of the business community
• Completion and implementation of the Intelligent Cities Action Plan including five data-driven community projects lead by Invest Whitby
• Ongoing lead generation and management to attract new business and jobs to the Town of Whitby
• Identifying emerging issues and providing targeted support through the Invest Whitby Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program 
• Continuing to attract a new hotel and conference centre to the Town of Whitby
• Supporting businesses in priority sectors with sector roundtables to identify emerging trends and areas for support, sectors including; Advanced Manufacturing, Information and Communications Technology, Professional Services, Downtown and Lifestyles, and the Clean Energy sector
• Supporting Workforce Development initiatives such as the Whitby Chamber of Commerce Job Fair, which saw over 1,000 job seekers in attendance
• Implementing the updated Concierge Program to secure and realize significant development opportunities in the Town of Whitby
• Hosting the annual Whitby Local Business week to engage, inform, and support the business community
• Providing ongoing support to businesses impacted by Tariffs through the Mayors Tariff Task Group

With an exciting year ahead, Invest Whitby looks forward to continuing to grow and engage the Town of Whitby business community.

Read Mayor Roy's 2025 Year in Review

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