Huron County, Ontario — known as Ontario’s West Coast — sits along the eastern shore of Lake Huron and ranks as one of the province’s most productive agricultural regions. The County of Huron’s Economic Development Department focuses on helping the local economy grow by supporting businesses, attracting investment, promoting tourism, and building stronger communities.
Whether you’re thinking about starting a business, expanding an existing one, investing in the area, or simply curious about what’s happening here, this is a practical look at economic development in Huron County in 2026.
Huron County’s Economy at a Glance
The local economy rests on a few solid foundations:
- Agriculture remains a cornerstone, with roughly 270 agricultural value-chain businesses supporting about 1,900 jobs.
- Manufacturing includes around 234 establishments that employ approximately 3,340 people. Wood products and beverage manufacturing have shown steady growth.
- Tourism, promoted under the Ontario’s West Coast brand, draws about 1.2 million visitors each year.
- Healthcare supports more than 3,425 professionals across over 330 establishments.
Clean energy is an emerging area, with connections to the broader Bruce Power region. The county keeps unemployment low and offers access to a larger regional workforce. The most recent population estimate (July 2025) sits at around 67,250 residents. Median household income is about $84,200 and the median age is 46.8 years.
If you’re exploring the area, places like Bayfield are an easy day or weekend trip from Toronto — you can check how far Bayfield is from Toronto for planning details. The shoreline also features some of Ontario’s best beaches, which play a real role in the tourism side of the economy.
Strategic Direction Huron County
The previous THRIVE 2022–2025 plan guided work around four simple ideas: Include, Collaborate, Sustain, and Communicate.
In 2025 the Huron County ran a full round of community consultations — online surveys, focus groups, and sessions in all nine partner municipalities — to shape a new Economic Development Strategic Plan. That plan (covering 2026–2030) was brought forward to Council in early 2026 and now sets the direction for the next several years. It keeps the focus on supporting existing businesses, developing the workforce, attracting the right kinds of investment, growing tourism, and helping people feel they belong here.
The department works across four main areas:
- Investment Attraction and Sector Supports
- Tourism Marketing (Ontario’s West Coast and Taste of Huron)
- Business Support and Advisory Services through the Huron Business Centre
- Building Welcoming Communities
Key Programs and Supports for Businesses
The Huron Business Centre is the practical hub for entrepreneurs. Here’s what’s currently available:
- Starter Company Plus offers training, coaching, and grants of up to $5,000 to help people start, expand, or buy a small business. In 2025, 12 participants went through the program and 10 businesses received a combined $36,500 in funding, supporting 15 local jobs. The 2026 intake ran from July 1 to July 31 with a total grant pool of $35,000.
- Summer Company is aimed at students aged 15–29 and provides up to $3,000 plus training and mentorship for a summer business.
- SLED (Supporting Local Economic Development) gives municipalities and registered non-profits grants of up to $10,000 for projects that line up with local priorities such as workforce development, downtowns, tourism, local food, youth, and newcomers.
- Foodpreneur Advantage supports people starting or growing food and beverage manufacturing businesses focused on consumer-packaged goods.
You’ll also find the Economic Development Dashboard (useful data on labour, infrastructure, and sectors), the Supporting Local Toolkit, and the JobsInHuron.ca job board that pulls listings from multiple sources.
Opportunities for Investors and Expanding Companies in Huron County
The Economic Development team acts as a single point of contact if you’re looking at sites or expansion. The area offers available industrial land, solid infrastructure, and a collaborative network that includes local municipalities, the Huron Manufacturing Association, and the Chamber of Commerce. Growth is showing up in wood products, beverage manufacturing, healthcare, and clean energy.
Tourism and Everyday Life
Ontario’s West Coast branding highlights the Lake Huron shoreline, outdoor recreation, farm-to-table experiences, wineries, and small-town character. Tourism supports hospitality, retail, and related businesses while adding to the quality of life that makes the county attractive for both visitors and people considering a move. Huron County often flies under the radar compared with more famous spots, which is why it shows up on lists of Ontario’s hidden gems. Nearby parks such as Pinery Provincial Park also draw people who then explore the wider region.
Getting Involved
You can find the latest information, program applications, and contact details on the official site: huroncounty.ca/economic-development.
The office is at 57 Napier Street in Goderich (N7A 1W2). Phone is 519-524-8394 extension 6, and they’re open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you’re exploring options in Huron County — whether it’s a business idea, an investment, a job, or just a visit — the Economic Development team is set up to help you figure out the next practical step. The combination of solid agricultural and manufacturing roots, growing tourism, and hands-on local programs makes this a place where real progress is still possible.
FAQ
What does the Huron County Economic Development Department actually do?
They support local businesses, help entrepreneurs get started or expand, attract investment, promote tourism under the Ontario’s West Coast brand, and work on making the county a more welcoming place for newcomers and young people. Their work covers everything from one-on-one coaching to grant programs and investment inquiries.
How can I get funding or grants to start or grow a business here?
The main program is Starter Company Plus, which offers training, mentorship, and grants of up to $5,000. There is also Summer Company for students (up to $3,000) and the SLED program for municipalities and non-profits (up to $10,000). The Huron Business Centre is the best place to start — they can walk you through what’s available and whether you qualify.
What are the strongest industries in Huron County right now?
Agriculture is still the foundation, followed by manufacturing (especially wood products and beverage), healthcare, and tourism. Clean energy is growing as well. The county has a solid base of established employers and room for smaller, specialized businesses.
Is Huron County a good place to relocate or invest?
Many people are drawn to the quality of life — Lake Huron shoreline, smaller communities, and a slower pace — combined with practical business supports. Available industrial land, relatively competitive costs, and a hands-on Economic Development team make it workable for the right kind of project. Bayfield and other shoreline towns are popular starting points for both living and visiting.
How do I contact someone or apply for programs?
Visit huroncounty.ca/economic-development, call 519-524-8394 ext. 6, or go to the office at 57 Napier Street in Goderich. They’re open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Huron Business Centre handles most entrepreneur and small-business support.
Does the county support tourism-related businesses?
Yes. Tourism is one of the four main service areas. They actively market Ontario’s West Coast, support local food experiences, and work with operators on product development and visitor attraction. The shoreline beaches and nearby parks are a big part of that draw.
Where can I find job listings or local data?
JobsInHuron.ca pulls openings from multiple sources. The Economic Development Dashboard on the County website has current labour force, sector, and infrastructure information if you need numbers for planning.