Start and Grow Your Business

Whether you’re in the early planning stages or ready to grow, our Economic Development team is here to support you at every step. We’re passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed and ensuring Centre Wellington remains a thriving, business-friendly community.

What We Offer

• Business Concierge Service
• Personalized Support
• Local Insight
• Advocacy and Connection

Stay Connected 

Be the first to know about new programs, business stories, and local opportunities delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up for our quarterly Economic Development Newsletter

Connect With Us

We’re here to help — and we love hearing from local entrepreneurs, no matter what stage you’re in.

Phone: 519.846.9691 x304

Email Us

The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven non-profit organization which serves as a community resource to promote and maintain business growth through advocacy, networking and educational opportunities.

Website: Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce

Phone: 519.843.5140

Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are local organizations that bring together business owners, commercial property owners, and the municipality to support and strengthen designated commercial areas.

In Centre Wellington, the Fergus BIA and Elora BIA work to enhance their respective downtowns through:

• Beautification and Revitalization Projects

• Marketing and Promotions

• Special Events and Community Programming

• Business Recruitment and Retention

• Liaison Work with the Township and Local Partners

By joining a BIA, you gain access to a network of supportive businesses and a voice in shaping the future of your downtown district.

Learn more about the Fergus BIA

Learn more about the Elora BIA

The Government of Ontario offers a wide range of programs and services to support entrepreneurs, small businesses, and growing companies. Whether you're looking to start, scale, or innovate, there are tools and funding options available to help you move forward.

Key supports include:

• Funding and Grant Programs for hiring, training, innovation, and equipment

• Business Advisory Services and one-on-one guidance through Small Business Enterprise Centres

• Resources for Business Registration, Licensing, and Compliance

• Sector-Specific Programs for manufacturing, tech, agri-food, and more

These programs are designed to help you start strong, stay competitive, and access the expertise and financing you need.

• Province of Ontario Resources
• Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade supports a strong, innovative economy that can provide jobs, opportunities and prosperity for all Ontarians.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs supports and prioritizes the sectors that keep rural communities economically successful. Information on how to start a commercial food business as well as a home-based food business. 

The Government of Canada provides a wide range of programs and services to help businesses launch, grow, and succeed. From start-up guidance to financial assistance and exporting tools, federal supports are designed to meet businesses at every stage.

Key resources include:

• Grants, Loans, and Financing Programs through agencies like Canada Small Business Financing and BDC

• Business Planning Tools and Market Research

• Exporting and Trade Resources through Global Affairs Canada

• Support for Innovation and Technology Adoption

• Hiring and Training Incentives for employers

Whether you're just getting started or expanding into new markets, federal programs can provide the financial and advisory support you need.

• Government of Canada Resources
• FedDev Ontario is a one-stop shop for information on how to start and grow businesses in Canada – tons of information from being an entrepreneur to accessing investment capital.
• Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) - access grants and expertise to transform your business.

Business Centre Guelph-Wellington provides the entry point for entrepreneurship in Guelph and Wellington County, helping individuals get into business for themselves. They support the growth and expansion of small businesses by offering a variety of workshops, resources and one-on-one advisory services.
 
www.guelphbusiness.com

The Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin (WPB) helps business, educators, unions, governments, and jobseekers better understand labour market dynamics and realities. If you are an employer and need data to improve your hiring processes or understand the current labour market, please reach out. 

www.workforceplanningboard.com

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) 

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) is a Health and Safety Association, supporting employers and workers in the agricultural, manufacturing, and service sectors, throughout Ontario. They are here to help you build your health and safety knowledge, skills, and capacity.

Learn more about Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) 

Your new home, career and life are waiting for you in Centre Wellington. Live and Work Centre Wellington connects job & home seekers with opportunities and properties in the communities of Elora and Fergus.

Our interactive map and listings is a one-stop location for the region’s employment and property listings, connecting you with the job you need and accommodations for sale or rent nearby.

We're here to support you in finding the right home for your new or growing business in Centre Wellington. Whether you're just starting out or ready to expand, explore a range of commercial and industrial properties available across the township—including serviced lots in the North Fergus Business Park.

View Available Properties

Learn More About the North Fergus Business Park

Wellington County Economic Development is a valuable resource for local businesses, offering programs and services to help our community thrive. Their initiatives focus on fostering a strong local economy and positioning Wellington County as a premier place to live, work, and invest.

Working in partnership with member municipalities and community organizations, they:

• Monitor and share local market data

• Provide tailored business support services

• Host events that help businesses connect, grow, and innovate

• And much more

By championing local initiatives and strengthening the business environment, Wellington County Economic Development is driving long-term growth, investment, and employment across the region.

Visit Wellington County Economic Development to learn more.

The Canadian and U.S. economies are closely connected, with trade playing a vital role in both markets. In 2023, an average of $2.5 million in goods and services flowed between our countries every minute. The United States remains Canada’s largest trading partner, accounting for approximately 75% of Canadian exports.

If your business is navigating cross-border trade, tariffs, or export-related challenges, these resources curated by Wellington County may help.

Tariff and Trade Resources