News & Events
The Town of Ajax is a rapidly growing community that is changing everyday. We encourage you to visit this section periodically in order to remain up-to-date on the latest business activities and happenings in Ajax.
Current news and events in Ajax:
A look at the season ahead for Economic Development
The Economic Development Office has a full calendar in 2008! Whether we are networking, attending trade shows, or getting to know our business community better, our team will be busy attracting and retaining business in Town. Take a look at the Business Events Calendar to mark down some important dates now.
Calling all small and medium sized businesses! If you've ever felt that navigating Government Services is similar to a never-ending maze, this is the event for you.
The Town of Ajax has partnered with the Town of Whitby and other Durham Region municipalities to host Destination Success: a one-day government services tradeshow and business educational conference targeted to small and medium-sized businesses in Durham Region. The event will be held at Cullen Central Park on May 14, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and promises learning, leverage, support, and networking opportunities for local businesses, government agencies and the media. Access government resources, educational sessions, a new business marketplace and networking opportunities.
This is a free event that you don't want to miss! For more information about the event or to register, visit the Destination Success webpage at www.destinationsuccess.whitby.ca or contact the Ajax Economic Development Office.
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Durham College are a critical component of Durham Region’s strong business environment. Not only do these institutions fuel our strong and healthy workforce, they provide businesses with great opportunities for collaborative research, new and innovative technologies, and corporate training services. To showcase these services and the new state of the art campus, UOIT is hosing Campus Connections 2008: a special open house for local and regional industry partners, on Monday May 26 from 3 to 7 p.m.
This is a great opportunity to learn about the unique aspects of the University, through lab and facility tours, faculty poster presentations, information on industry/academic collaborations, and an exciting sneak peek at plans for our new General Motors of Canada Automotive Centre of Excellence.
To register for this free event, e-mail rsvp@dc-uoit.ca or contact the Economic Development Office for more information.
Business Forum Breakfast - Friday June 6, 2008
The federal government offers a number of services to help businesses grow and succeed in today’s challenging marketplace.
To highlight opportunities that you should be taking advantage of, M.P. Mark Holland is inviting Ajax businesses to a Business Breakfast Forum on June 6 from 7:30-9:30 am at the Rotary Park Pavillion (177 Lake Driveway West, in Ajax). The event, organized by the Federal Government, with the support of the Town of Ajax, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade, and The City of Pickering, will cover a number of important topics, including:
- Winning contracts with the federal government
- Optimizing the tax system to your business’s advantage
- Federal programs that help grow your business
- Programs that help start or expand your export business
For more information, click here to view the flyer. To register for this free event, email hollam@parl.gc.ca or call (905) 426-6808.
Welcome to Ajax!
Please join us in welcoming the following businesses who have recently opened their doors in Ajax:
Angel Wings & Fairy Dust
161 Harwood Ave. North, Unit 6 - Durham Annex Plaza
Visit their website at: www.angelwingsandfairydust.com
Argosy Securities Inc.
66 Church Street South
Visit their website at: www.argosynet.ca
Frostline Cup-cake bakery
235 Bayly Street
Learna Education Centre
235 Bayly Street West
Visit their website at: www.learna.com
Marie’s Diner
95 Kingston Road
Sunshade Blinds & Drapery
88 Old Kingston Road
Visit their website at: www.sunshade-blinds.com
First News
 The Economic Development Office periodically produces a newsletter with current business stories and information. To view the latest editions of the First News, click on the respective date below.
 July, 2007
May, 2006
December, 2005
Record Levels of Business Growth in the Town of Ajax
More and more businesses continue to discover the Ajax advantage. Over the past 18 months, construction has reached record-setting levels with $166 million worth of building permits issued for new industrial and commercial facilities in the Town of Ajax. More than 1.2 million square feet of new industrial and commercial space is currently under construction and once all of these new facilities are open, over 1,000 new jobs will be created.
This strong investment in the local economy is being made by both existing businesses wanting to expand and by new companies that have made the decision to relocate to Ajax. The mix of both existing and new businesses constructing new facilities is the strongest possible testament that Ajax truly offers a strategic business location.
The construction projects currently underway will greatly enhance the Ajax business landscape. Below are the companies that will soon open their doors in Ajax:
- Loblaw Distribution Centre - The first phase of this 1.2 million square foot facility is currently under construction on the northwest corner of Bayly Street and Audley Road. Once open in 2008, this facility will serve as one of the company’s main distribution hubs for southern Ontario.
- Olympic Wholesale and Terry C. Stapley - These two distribution businesses have each constructed their own buildings on Green Court in south Ajax, collectively totaling over 100,000 square feet of new industrial space.
- BMW Dealership - Construction has recently begun on the new 45,000 square foot home for Durham’s BMW Dealership on the southside of the Highway 401 and Salem Road interchange.
- New Office Buildings - Two new office buildings totaling 34,000 square feet are currently under construction on the southside of the Highway 401 and Salem Road interchange. This new office space is a welcomed addition to the Salem Centre Business Area.
- Bruce Bissell Dealership - A current Ajax business, Bruce Bissell has opened their new 24,000 square foot facility at Bayly Street and Mackenzie Avenue.
- Ajax Convention Centre - This 21,000 square foot facility will be opening this Fall across from the Hilton Garden Inn on the northside of the Highway 401 and Salem Road interchange and will be able to accommodate functions for up to 900 people.
- New Fire Hall Headquarters and Fire Station - This new 28,000 square foot facility located on the southwest corner of Salem and Rossland Roads also includes a state-of-the-art training facility. The Town of Ajax is proud that this facility will be the first Gold LEED certified building constructed in the Region of Durham.
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New retail space - A new retail block with confirmed tenants that include Bank of Montreal, The Keg, Le Chateau and Ardene's, is currently under construction at the corner of Salem Road and Highway 2. Total size of the combined buildings is over 33,600 square feet.
Based on this high level of growth, there is no doubt that Ajax offers the advantages sought by business leaders. In order to further strengthen what the Town can do for the business community, on May 14 2007, Ajax Council adopted a new Strategic Plan which sets the vision for the future.
Recognizing the importance of having a strong business base, one of the plan’s five guiding principles specifically addresses the Town’s Economic Prosperity. Within this guiding principle are a number of initiatives addressing the retention and expansion of existing businesses, as well as the attraction of new businesses within the Town’s target sectors of advanced manufacturing/automotive, energy and the office sector.
Fundamental to a strong local economy is ensuring that the Town has a strong supply of serviced employment lands available for businesses to construct their new facilities. While the Town’s employment lands have been under pressure for conversion to residential uses, it remains a priority for the Town to protect these lands and the significant opportunities that they create. Preservation of the Town’s employment lands is a commitment made by Town Council and is included as a top priority within the Town’s new Strategic Plan.
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To make the employment lands even more attractive to business, in 2007, the Town is investing in extending services along Salem Road through the Carruthers Creek Employment Area. Once the installation is complete at the end of the year, these new services will assure that these lands are ready for development within a short-time frame.
One of the new areas the Town will be focusing on is growing the tourism industry. With the Town’s natural open spaces and trial network, and the opening of the Slots at Ajax Downs and Hilton Garden Inn last year, the foundation has been set to promote Ajax as a recreational destination. |
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Complementing this, the upcoming opening of the Ajax Convention Centre this summer, coupled with the Deer Creek Conference and Banquet facility, means that Ajax will be known as the convention destination in the eastern GTA. The Town will be working with these businesses to grow this new part of the local economy.
From small business to multinationals, close to 2,000 companies have already discovered why Ajax is an exceptional location for business. The Town continues to receive increased attention as a solid investment decision with more and more businesses choosing to make Ajax their new home.
Look at the green thumb on Ajax
As the pressure to correct the adverse affects of pollution and global warming continues, increased ownership is being placed on everyone to do their part to protect our fragile environment. The Town of Ajax has become a leader in environmental preservation and restoration.
Paving the way of the future, the Ajax Fire Headquarters and Training Facility that is currently under construction in north Ajax will be the first Gold Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building in Durham. The building, expected to be completed early next year, will be equipped with a number of features that will yield maximized water and energy efficiency. It is projected to save the Town 50 per cent in energy and utility costs.
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The Town has also taken an active stand in improving the Ajax waterfront. On March 21, 2007, the Minister of the Environment issued an order to the Regions, imposing a total of 15 new conditions on the Duffins Creek Water Pollution Control Plant Expansion, 13 of which addressed issues raised by Ajax. The Town, in conjunction with The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Regions of Durham and York, will also be undertaking water quality testing of the waterfront. The objective is to determine which factors are affecting water quality, particularly the sources of pollutants that cause beach closures and impact the growth of Cladophora (algae). |
Ajax is also a founder and active member of the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance (DSEA), an alliance of municipalities in the Region of Durham, private sector businesses and the region’s academic institutions. The Town is working with its peers towards the mission of fostering an energy-friendly environment in Durham that is a model for action in Ontario and Canada. For more information about the DSEA, visit www.dsea.ca.
It’s clear that Ajax is leading by example. Visit regularly to stay up to date with these and other environment driven initiatives.
Introducing Smart Commute
As the population of Ajax continues to grow, we are regularly evaluating and improving our road infrastructure to limit traffic, congestion and pollution. But even more can be done! To give businesses the opportunity and resources to do their part, the Region of Durham has launched an initiative centred around "smart commuting".
Smart Commute is a partnership between the cities and regions of the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton. Smart Commute Durham was recently launched, and Durham Region became the first official member in September. We’re calling on Ajax businesses to show their support and dedication to preserving our environment by taking part in this great initiative.
Here’s a glimpse at the services that the program offers:
- Performing site assessments and surveys to understand the commuting behaviour of each businesses’ specific workforce
- Assisting with the development of a customized commuting options program for each workforce
- Offering exclusive ride-matching programs for employees
- Providing assistance in implementing emergency-ride-home programs; preferential parking strategies; pedestrian and cycling facilities/services; and alternative work arrangements
- Acting as a conduit with Durham Region Transit to examine improved transit services to the workplace
- Providing workshops, lunch-and-learn sessions and seminars for employees to raise awareness of alternative modes of transportation.
Membership is free and easy and the benefits are endless. To find out more, visit www.smartcommutedurham.ca. Or, click here to read the first edition of the "Travel Smart" newsletter.
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