In this episode of the Hyper Local EDCO Awards Series: A Deep Dive, host Mason Ainsworth sits down with Laura Thompson, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Town of Innisfil, to talk about the Innisfil Heights Investment Readiness Initiative.

Innisfil Heights is a provincially recognized Strategic Employment Area with huge potential — and a set of real barriers that were slowing industrial development. Laura walks through how the Town built a collaborative, low-cost action plan to remove those barriers, stand up a Site Selection Team, and turn investment inquiries into real projects.

The conversation covers the work behind major wins like Northern Transformer’s $207 million facility and 150+ jobs, a stronger approach to leads and landowners, and what other communities can take from Innisfil’s investment-readiness model.

This series was made in partnership with the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO). Thank you to the incredible staff and the Board of Directors for making this series possible.

Thank you to our Series Sponsor:

A special thank you to Peacock Tariff Consulting for sponsoring the Hyper Local EDCO Awards Series. With deep expertise in tariff strategy, customs compliance, and international trade, Peacock Tariff Consulting helps businesses navigate complex global trade challenges with clarity and confidence. We’re grateful for their support of conversations that strengthen Ontario’s economic development community.

Learn more at peacocktariffconsulting.com.

Thank you to our Podcast Partner, Michelle Samson of Storied Places Media.

Storied Places Media specializes in producing audio and video podcasts for economic development organizations. It's long-form content that busy people will actually consume. They can support your vision or take care of the whole process: hosting, interviewing, editing, and distribution on all major streaming platforms. They also advise on strategy and promotion to help it reach as much of your audience as possible.

Learn more at storiedplaces.ca

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