Economic Development Annual Report
Annual updates on the year’s economic activity, competitive positioning and departmental initiatives.
Siemens to establish global AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for Battery Production in Canada
In March 2025, Siemens announced a $150 million investment to establish a Global AI Manufacturing Technologies Research and Development (R&D) Center for Battery Production at its Oakville headquarters and received $7.2 million from the Invest Ontario Fund in support of this investment.
Spotlighting success
Geotab
Neil Cawse, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oakville based Geotab, has been recognized by The Globe and Mail as their 2025 CEO of the Year, an honour that reflects his leadership in advancing one of Canada’s most prominent technology companies. Geotab, headquartered at 2440 Winston Park Drive, has expanded from a two-person startup into a global leader in telematics and connected vehicle technology. The company now employs more than 3,000 staff worldwide and supports millions of connected vehicles operating in over 160 countries.
Key 2025 initiatives
Launching the Branches to Business Program
Invest Oakville launched Branches to Business in October 2025, a new Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program designed to strengthen and support Oakville’s business community. The program streamlines access to help in four key areas: funding, workforce development, scaling and growth, and navigating municipal processes.
As part of the launch, businesses can now access custom one on one support and participate in an annual Business Conditions Survey. The first survey is scheduled for late Q2 2026, giving local businesses a direct voice in shaping future support.
Seasonal Commercial Patio Program
2025 marked the second year of Oakville’s permanent Seasonal Commercial Patio Program, permitting 47 patios and introducing a streamlined online permitting system for the first time.
The year also saw the launch of the interactive Patio Map, making it easier for residents and visitors to explore patios located on municipal land.
Applications for the 2026 patio season (May–November) are now open.
Ontario Auto Mayors Caucus
Invest Oakville supported the Ontario Auto Mayors Caucus through three advocacy sessions in 2025 focused on trade pressures, supply chain resilience, EV transition, and workforce readiness. Meetings brought together municipal leaders, provincial and federal officials, and industry stakeholders. including sessions with Minister François Philippe Champagne and Premier Doug Ford. Insights gathered from these sessions are informing work underway for 2026, including the provision of feedback and comments on the National Automotive Strategy.
DiscoveryX 2025 - Hamilton-Halton Delegation
In April 2025, staff participated in DiscoveryX, Canada’s premier innovation event hosted by the Ontario Centre of Innovation. The team connected with Oakville based companies and worked alongside partners across the Hamilton–Halton innovation ecosystem to promote the region as a leading destination for investment. Key partners included the Generator at Sheridan, Innovation Factory, the Synapse Life Science Consortium, Invest in Hamilton, Hamilton Health Sciences, Mohawk College, and McMaster University.
Trade Talk and Tariff Task Force
In April 2025, the Oakville Partnership Committee (including Invest Oakville) hosted Trade Talk: Programs & Resources for Businesses, featuring speakers from the Halton Go Global Business Centre, Export Development Canada, and Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service. The event helped local businesses understand available programs, navigate shifting trade conditions, and explore new market opportunities. Throughout the year, staff also supported businesses affected by U.S. - Canada trade measures by co chairing the Town’s Tariff Task Force and developing an online tariff resource hub on invest.oakville.ca, which will continue to be updated in 2026.
Oakville Chamber of Commerce Student Job Fair
In November 2025, Invest Oakville partnered with the Oakville Chamber of Commerce to present a Student Job Fair. Hosted at the Town of Oakville Town Hall, the event welcomed over 300 students and recent graduates, along with 14 employers eager to connect with emerging talent.
