Did you know that Hamilton is southern Ontario’s most populated and economically active region?

Over 1 million* educated and skilled workers live within a 30-minute drive from the city. Meaning that if you live in the Greater Toronto Area and you’re thinking about starting a new business, you might want to shoot Hamilton to the top of your list!

Here’s why…

You’ll Find the Support You Need

It’s easier to start a small business when you have the necessary support and information nearby. The Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre offers every budding entrepreneur the tools and support they need to grow their business. The Centre is a one-stop shop for business information, guidance, and professional advice on how to start and run a thriving business.

The Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre offers free consultations on:

• How to prepare a business plan
• How to identify the rules and regulations that could affect your business
• How to determine which government and private sector programs could be useful for your business
• How to get help during the critical start-up and growth phases of your business

You can also sign up to take part in four different workshops covering the following topics:

• 10 Steps to Starting a Business
• Business Planning
• Marketing Strategies and Social Media
• Bookkeeping and Taxation Basics

But what if you have more in-depth business questions? Maybe you need to know about zoning, how long it would take, or how much it costs to set up or expand?

The One Stop for Business part of The Centre is available to help answer all these questions, in addition to having all of the applications you need to complete and if you need a licence or not.

What it really comes down to is that Hamilton has a very strong sense of community, a great #shoplocal spirit and pride, and part of that it the support network for startups. With all this support in one easy to access place, it’s really a no-brainer! Hamilton is an ideal place to start a new business.

You’ll Attract Employees

Of course, there’s so much more to Hamilton, Ontario than just the Small Business Enterprise Centre.

For example, Hamilton is home to McMaster University and Mohawk College. These institutions are excellent resources when it comes to research and innovation/apprentice training.

Moreover, the graduates of these fine institutions, along with their relative proximity to other towns and cities in the area, offer a pool of over one million skilled workers available to you. Now that’s a lot of talent to pull from to help your business grow and succeed!

But what about if you were hoping to bring some talent with you when you relocate? Well, the cost of living in Hamilton is far cheaper than in a big city like Toronto. Hamilton also has some of most comprehensive quality medical care in the province, including six hospitals and a cancer care centre.

As a city, Hamilton doesn’t only concern itself with big business and industry; it also has a focus on the neighbourly things that matter, such as parks and playgrounds. This makes it not only the ideal place to start a business, but also a family!

You’ll Find All the Necessary Infrastructure

Did you know Hamilton is a transportation hub of Ontario?

This city boasts the Port of Hamilton, is in close proximity to railway links, and it has the 400-series highways. What’s more, the John C. Munro International Airport acts as a large courier/cargo hub, perfect for any international shipping and receiving your business might need.

Another bonus to starting a new business in Hamilton is that it has a lot of available land for industrial development at a fraction of the prices in and around the GTA.Plus, the Hamilton agricultural sector is exploding, to the tune of $1.26 billion annually. So, if your business is related to this sector, you don’t want to think twice. Hamilton is the perfect spot for your entrepreneurial initiatives!

You’ll Have Access to the Best Accountants

Here’s a professional tip: one of the best ways to grow your Hamilton-based business is to partner with a professional accountant that you can really trust. The Number Works Professional Corporation is located right here in Hamilton. We’re a virtual accounting, and financial coaching firm that’s here to help any entrepreneurs in Hamilton and the surrounding Southern Ontario area.

We’d love to help you get started with your new Hamilton business, or help get your existing business on the right track. Your business will benefit from many of our financial services, including full-cycle accounting, financial statement analysis, strategic planning, and taxes!

By outsourcing your accounting to us, you get all the benefits of competent financial reporting without any headaches from onboarding, training, or paying a full-time employee. The Number Works is your one-stop shop for all your accounting needs.

So, if you’re looking for an accountant who has a real passion for helping your business succeed, let’s connect! Together we can make sure your new business in Hamilton, Ontario is a wild success!

 

*https://www.hamilton.ca/moving-hamilton/economic-development/doing-business-in-hamilton