Economic Development Plan 2025-2029
The Town of Oakville has prepared an updated to its Economic Development Plan for the 2025-2029 period.
The town's dynamic entrepreneurs, creative thinkers, and leaders exemplify the intersection of innovation and economic growth, making Oakville an ideal location to explore, live, grow and innovate. Building on its historical successes in economic development, Oakville is ambitiously pursuing a forward-thinking agenda that thrives at the nexus of business growth, culture and technological innovation.
Oakville’s position as a leader in technology and talent supports its desired state of being the community where innovative companies want to invest, grow and thrive. The vision builds on the aspirations of interested parties and is based on a full community and economic profile as well as employment projections and industry benchmarks to 2030. The research underlying the plan highlights Oakville’s strengths in sectors with high potential for creativity and innovation including professional services; health and life sciences; film, information and communication technology (ICT), and digital media; and advanced manufacturing.
This plan is designed to include tools, programs and services that foster a diverse and resilient economy, while having the ability to be flexible to respond to ever-changing global economic conditions.
The following three strategic directions were developed using a strengths-based approach. Each area represents priority economic development initiatives to be implemented over the next five years, based on economic assets and strengths as well as the positioning of Oakville’s Economic Development department and the other organizations who support the business community.
The plan was prepared with the assistance of Deloitte LLP's Economic Advisory team.
The engagement process involved various methods, including one-on-one interviews, in-person and virtual workshops, an online business and public engagement survey.
The following interested parties were engaged through this process:
In addition to these efforts, the Economic Development department held aspirations and actions workshops and consulted with the mayor, members of Council, the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), and staff from nine municipal departments, including Planning and Development, Building Services, Strategic Business Services, Transportation and Engineering, Communications and Customer Experience, Corporate Strategy and Government Relations, Municipal Enforcement Services, Recreation and Culture and Oakville Transit.
Throughout the engagement process, community and business leaders shared their vision for the future of the town's economy. Their vision included an active and innovative economy with employment growth in high-skilled jobs, industry-leading companies, and a strong focus on supporting local businesses.
The feedback collected through public consultation has been reviewed and incorporated into the final Economic Development Plan. The plan was presented to Planning and Development Council on May 20.
