finance

Collingwood Roundtable and Action Plan Target Workforce Support for Local Service Businesses

Initiatives like the Mayor's Roundtable and Economic Development Action Plan address needs in Collingwood's dominant service sectors.

By Collingwood Business Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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Collingwood Roundtable and Action Plan Target Workforce Support for Local Service Businesses — Photo by Alan Light / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Collingwood regularly hosts the Mayor's Roundtable on Economic Development to identify gaps in business support resources and engage the local business ecosystem. This ongoing effort aligns with broader workforce development steps that include hosting the Futures conference at Blue Mountain Resort from October 28 to 30, 2026, under the theme Investing in People, Strengthening Futures.

Roundtable Focus on Resource Gaps

The Town of Collingwood uses the Mayor's Roundtable on Economic Development to connect directly with businesses facing workforce challenges. Participants discuss practical barriers to hiring and retaining staff in a region where service roles dominate employment. The roundtable serves as a recurring forum that links town resources to everyday operations of local employers without requiring new infrastructure.

Action Plan Targets Knowledge-Economy Roles

Collingwood's Economic Development Action Plan (2020-2025) sets a goal of creating more than 1,500 local jobs over 10 years while prioritizing attraction of young skilled workers for businesses in water, environment, and health sciences. These priorities complement existing service-sector employment and aim to expand the range of opportunities available to residents.

The Poplar Regional Health and Wellness Village, a $2 billion mixed-use development approved via Minister's Zoning Order, is projected to create over 3,500 knowledge-based jobs and include 2,200 workforce housing units. This project adds concrete capacity for housing that supports workers in both service and knowledge sectors.

Current Employment Picture

Over 70% of jobs in Collingwood are service sector-related, with the Retail sector employing 2,740 people and the Accommodation & Food sector employing 2,610 people. These figures illustrate the scale of local businesses that rely on a stable workforce and stand to benefit from coordinated development efforts.

The next steps center on continued use of the Mayor's Roundtable to match specific business needs with available programs and partnerships. Local employers can participate in upcoming roundtable sessions to share operational details and explore support options already in place through town channels.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.