Business Input Invited - Peterborough County Unveils the Draft G.R.O.W. Economic Development Plan

Peterborough County, ON – November 13, 2025 – Peterborough County is proud to announce the release of its Draft G.R.O.W. Economic Development Plan, its first and forward-thinking strategy designed to foster Growth, Resilience, Opportunity, and Workforce development across the region.

The G.R.O.W. Plan is a comprehensive roadmap aimed at building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable rural economy. Developed through extensive collaboration with local municipalities, industry partners, and community stakeholders, the plan outlines strategic actions to support existing businesses, grow key sectors, enhance investment readiness, and strengthen community development.

Key Highlights of the G.R.O.W. Plan:

• Support for Existing Businesses: County-wide implementation of the Local Advantage Program, quarterly business roundtables, and the launch of a Data Centre Business Resource Hub
• Sector Growth: Focused initiatives in Agriculture, Tourism, and Small- Scale Manufacturing, including support for agri-tourism, experiential tourism, and workforce development.
• County-Township Collaboration: Establishing joint programming, and a shared CRM system to unify and track economic development efforts.
• Investment Readiness: Identification and promotion of “shovel-ready” sites, real estate reviews, and engagement with commercial realtors and site selectors.
• Celebrating Local Success: Amplifying small business achievements through storytelling, media engagement, and digital campaigns.
• Building a Unique Economic Identity: Launching a “Made in Peterborough County” campaign to position the region as a premier destination to live, work, invest, and visit.

“The G.R.O.W. Plan represents more than just a strategy, it’s a promise to our businesses, our communities, and our shared future. We’ve actively engaged with local entrepreneurs, farmers, manufacturers, and tourism operators to understand the support they need, and this plan reflects their insights. Now, we’re inviting our business community to take a closer look and help us shape the final version. Together, we can build a resilient, inclusive economy that truly reflects the spirit and strengths of Peterborough County.”
Warden Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County

Call to Action:
Peterborough County invites business owners, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to review the draft plan and provide feedback to ensure it meets the needs of the local economy. Input can be submitted through the Engage Peterborough County platform over the next 4–6 weeks.

To view the full Draft G.R.O.W. Economic Development Plan, visit G.R.O.W Economic Development Plan or contact the Economic Development Office at ecdev@ptbocounty.ca

For more information, please contact: 
Tracie Bertrand 
General Manager, Tourism and Communications tbertrand@ptbocounty.ca 
705-743-0380 ext. 2502