The 2024 Municipal Benchmarking Study released by the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) named the City of Barrie as the overall best municipality across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for getting new housing developments approved. The City also received top status in the previous two studies, done in 2020 and 2022.

The Bryne Drive South extension, which connects Harvie Road through to Caplan Avenue, has opened ahead of schedule. The new link is part of the City's plans to enhance traffic flow to Highway 400 and will improve access to businesses in the area south end of Barrie.

Earlier this year, Barrie City Council approved a new Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP). CIPs are a tool used to attract investment and foster development by allowing municipalities to direct funds and implement policy initiatives toward a designated project area. The Housing CIP aims to encourage rapid investment in new housing units by providing financial incentives. 

For updates on Barrie's infrastructure and development projects, check out the City's Current Projects webpage.

High density, 1.5 acre re-development site in the heart of downtown Barrie. Adjacent to Jon Edwin Coupe Park and the Barrie Public Library.

Newly renovated 28,928 sf of office space at the Moore Industrial Centre in Barrie. 

On June 20th, Environmental Systems Corporation (ESC) graciously hosted Invest Barrie's Manufacturing Innovation Summit. With support of our sponsors, BDC and Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, it was a chance to celebrate our manufacturing community and go 'behind factory doors' of three of our leading manufacturers - Innovative Automation, Environmental Systems Corporation and SBS Drivetech Inc. 

Arranged by the City of Barrie's International Relations Committee, Invest Barrie hosted Masahiro Matsui, Consul, and Atsushi Kato, Information and Cultural Affairs Aid from the Consulate General of Japan introducing them to the economic opportunities that exist in Barrie. 

Invest Barrie joined Barrie's Reliance Yanch Home Comfort for the official unveiling of an electric vehicle (EV) and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The EV is a pilot to help Reliance determine the correct strategy for vehicle fleet moving forward and continue their commitment and focus as an organization to Call on a Better Tomorrow.

The City of Barrie and partners have won a Bronze in Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in the category of Talent Development & Retention for two sector specific job fairs hosted earlier this year - Commercial Trucking & Driver Job Fair and a Construction Industry Job Fair.

As a four-season destination, Barrie relies on tourism as an important economic driver. In 2023, Barrie welcomed more than 7.7 million visitors who contributed to more than $634 million to our local economy. Hosting events like the 2024 Barrie Airshow and the 2024 National SLO-Pitch Championships are example of how the City of Barrie and partners are working to grow tourism. 

The City of Barrie, with support from the Barrie Public Art Committee (BPAC), has embarked on a temporary exhibition of public art that will be hosted from September 27 to November 8. Seeds to Sow will feature six installations of site specific artwork that will change Barrie's landscape.

New research on safety and security in Canadian cities ranked Barrie at the top. The study was done by Rentola - a rental home search engine - to help provide insights to Canadians into important indicators that determine the safety of a community.  

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Contact us at 705-728-9850 or invest@barrie.ca.

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