Local Small Business Services & Contacts

Thinking of starting or growing your small business? There are numerous local resources and partners that can assist your small business. Below is a list of local organizations and contacts to help your small business prosper.

Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

The mission of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade (APBOT) is to encourage and foster free enterprise and economic development. To support good government and create and maintain a positive business climate in the community. The APBOT hosts various networking events and annual activities, advocate to various levels of government on behalf of businesses and offer membership benefits such as group insurance and retail membership discounts.  

Business Advisory Centre Durham

The Business Advisory Centre Durham Inc. (BACD) was founded in July 1998 in partnership with Industry Canada for the purpose of promoting and improving the economic welfare, by providing support services to the business community in Durham Region. The BACD is regionally focused and serves start-up and new businesses as well as existing businesses seeking services to assist in growth initiatives.

Financial Institutions, Insurance Brokers and Funding Sources

Most entrepreneurs and small business start-ups will at some point have to consider the need for financial assistance and/or insurance. Access to financing for investments such as capital and inventory are critical to a business succeeding, while insurance coverage helps protect a business in the case of an unforseen incident or accident. There are a number of financial institutions and insurance brokers in Ajax ready to assist you. 

Click here to open Ajax's Business Directory, click on Advanced Search from the menu located on the left hand side of the page. Beside NAICS type in the number 524 for Insurance Carriers or type in 522 for Credit Intermediation. You may also click here for a list of federal financial assistance programs.

There is also a Small Business Funding Centre that provides information and tools to help small businesses access grants, loans, and other forms of funding from the Canadian government. Whether it is for writing an effective business plan, or detailed information on writing a grant application for your company, the Small Business Funding Centre provides easy-to-understand answers to detailed questions about Canadian government business grants.

Realtors and Brokers

If you are an entrepreneur seeking to open a new business or an existing business looking to expand, the right location decision can mean the difference between success and failure. For many entrepreneurs this is one of the first steps that needs to be taken when implementing a business plan. Local realtors and brokers have the knowledge and insight of the marketplace that will assist you in making a well thought out location decision.

The Economic Development Office has identified a number of active realtors and brokers in the area. For a more comprehensive listing of realtors and brokers click here to open Ajax's Business Directory, click on Advanced Search from the menu located on the left hand side of the page. Beside NAICS type in the number 531 for Real Estate. 

Additional Local Partners for Growth

There are numerous partners, associations and organizations in Ajax and the surrounding area to help businesses expand and prosper. Many of these groups exist exclusively to serve the needs of the Ajax business community, while others operate at the provincial and national level with a local focus. Ajax's partners, associations and organizations have been compiled into various categories such as government, business, education and labour, financial services and transportation.