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Why Smiths Falls?

There are several reasons why the Town of Smiths Falls is an ideal location for businesses and residents alike. Advantages in establishing a business in Smiths Falls include a good location with excellent transportation access, a good quality of life, and a welcoming community.

Top 10 reasons to establish a business in Smiths Falls

01

Smiths Falls is located only 40 minutes away from Ottawa and just 1 ½ hours away from Kingston.

02

The Town of Smiths Falls has serviced industrial and commercial property for sale at affordable prices.

03

Smiths Falls has a growing and diverse community that is warm and accepting.

04

The Town of Smiths Falls is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rideau Canal, a booming summer tourist destination.

05

IN the KNOW magazine lists Canada as 2nd lowest business costs in the world. Couple that with Smiths Falls being on Flight Networks top 50 Canadian towns (one of only 7 in Ontario) makes Smiths Falls a business attraction.

06

The Town of Smiths Falls Department of Economic Development works to ensure that a stellar lineup of events and festivals are held throughout the year.

07

A new hospital with a 24/7 emergency room provides dependable medical services to the Town’s residents.

08

The Town is also located close to several other postsecondary educational institutions in Ottawa and Kingston.

09

The Town of Smiths Falls offers excellent incentives to prospective entrepreneurs, such as the absence of development fees and low water hookup fees.

10

Smiths Falls offers land and buildings at affordable prices. The town also has a skilled and diverse labour force that is suitable for various kinds of employment.

Location Advantage:

Whether you’re looking to expand an already growing business or starting up a new one, location is a top priority.

Smiths Falls is only one hour’s drive from the nation’s capital, and an hour and a half’s drive from Kingston and the United States border. A population of nearly 1 million people lives within an hour’s drive from Smiths Falls.

Transportation Gateway:

Smiths Falls provides easy access to a number of major transportation connections.

The 417 and 401 freeways are both located less than one hour’s drive from the Town, which is also home to a VIA Rail station that provides easy access to major urban centres such as Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. Moreover, a private airport is located just outside the Town

Services and Infrastructure:

Smiths Falls is a full-service community built around education, medical services, recreation and leisure activities, shopping, and government services.

Over the past several years, more than 50 million dollars have been invested in Smiths Falls to upgrade the Town’s infrastructure; examples include a new hospital, a new arena, and the rehabilitation of the Stone Arch Bridge. As a result, Smiths Falls is well positioned for growth.

Quality of Life:

Regardless of your business style, an important part of every business is a high quality of life for you and your employees.

The people-friendly community of Smiths Falls offers excellent services, remarkable attractions, and various festivals.

The Town also prides itself on its residents.

Our workforce offers a wide variety of highly skilled workers with diverse levels of education. The community offers a safe and secure environment, with a readily available and skilled workforce and a quality of life that make Smiths Falls the ideal place to call home.

Quick Facts
Population

8,795  in private households

Census 2011
Land Area

9.61 km2

Population Density

(per square km)

934.6

Total Experienced Labour Force

(aged 15-64)

5,824 (Source: Census 2011)

Over 1 million (within a 1-hour commute)
Largest Industry Groups

Manufacturing - 655

Health Care - 650

Retail Trade - 610

Business Services - 560

Finance & Real Estate - 140

(Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census)

Unemployment Rate

Census 2011

9.4 %

Total Private Dwellings

 4,070 (Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 Census)

Housing Starts

(Jan-Nov 2009)

7 single family dwellings

Number of Households

4,070

Median House Price

$219,200

Average Earning

$30,776

Business Networks

The Town of Smiths Falls collaborates with many different business organizations in order to improve the field of resources to which the public has access.

These include:

  • Ontario East Economic Development Commission;
  • Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO);
  • Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC);
  • Rideau Heritage Route Tourism Association; and
  • Lanark County Tourism.

Immigrant Friendly

Smiths Falls is a diverse community and encourages immigration to the area; offering programs to provide assistance to immigrants settling in the area. The Town’s Economic Development Statement of Objectives includes ”putting people first by focusing on talent retention and attraction.”

Local Immigration Partnership

The Smiths Falls Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Council was officially established on May 16, 2011 when the appointments to the newly formed LIP Council were approved by Smiths Falls Town Council.

Among the various settlement services, other community organizations and businesses represented on the new LIP Council were the Chinese and Canadian Heritage Cultural Association;

TR Leger Immigrant Services; Willis College of Business, Health and Technology; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; United Way of Lanark County; Welcome Wagon; and Smiths Falls Free Methodist Church, as well as newcomers to the Smiths Falls area.

The LIP Council acts as a strategic planning body that works to coordinate and enhance the integration of newcomers in the community.

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