Business Toolkit

 Learn why the Township of Brock is an exceptional place to live, play and do business.

• Township of Brock – Community and Business Profile
• Invest Durham – Township of Brock
• Invest Durham – Regional Community Profile
• Durham Region Profile – Demographic & Socio-Economic Data

Strategic Plans

• Growing North Durham: Rural Economic Development Action Plan (2023-2027)
• Growing Agri-Food Durham: A Five-Year Plan to Grow the Agri-Food Industry in Durham Region (2023-2027)
• Connecting our Communities: A Broadband Strategy for Durham Region
• Ready Set Future: A PLACE Blueprint for Durham (2023 - 2027)

Contact the Region of Durham’s Rural Economic Development Specialist to discuss your site selection needs.

Development and Planning

If the establishment or expansion of your business in the Township of Brock involves any new development or construction, applicants are encouraged to review the Township’s Planning and Development webpage and contact the Development Services Department prior to submitting any development applications.

Building Permits

To ensure that buildings do not harm the health or safety of our community, you must have a building permit before starting a building or renovation project in the Township of Brock. 

• Learn about Brock's building permit process.
• Apply for building permits online and see the status of your application anywhere, at any time using Cloudpermit.

Business Licences and Permits

• Some types of businesses require a licence or permit to operate in the Township of Brock. Learn more by visiting the Business Licences and Permits webpage.
• BizPal helps business owners understand what municipal, provincial and federal licenses and permits they may need to consider when starting, operating or expanding their business.

Discover municipal and regional development charge rates for your type and size of project.

Note: Both municipal and regional development charges apply

• Township of Brock     

• Region of Durham

Business Directory

Count your home-based business in and grow your exposure by completing the Durham Region Business Count and opting-in to having your business listed on the Durham Region Business Directory. 

Durham Region’s entrepreneurship ecosystem has the resources to help take your business to the next level.

• South Lake Community Futures Development Corporation: South Lake Futures is a non-profit corporation delivering the federal government's Community Future's Program within the Township of Brock. South Lake Futures provides business loans to eligible small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and social enterprises. They also provide business counseling, education services and assistance with starting a new business.
• Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD): Durham Region entrepreneurs can take advantage of BACD’s free business support programming as they start or grow their business. From online or in-person workshops, one-on-one sessions or specialized programming, BACD has helped launch more than 1,700 local businesses and counting.
• Spark Centre Innovation Hub & Business Incubator: Durham Region’s business incubator providing advisory services, office space and day-to-day operational support to early stage and rapidly growing innovation and technology companies.

• Spark Angel Network: Spark Angel Network is a group of investors whose aim is to build economic growth within Durham Region by investing in innovative early-stage technology businesses.

• 1855 Whitby: Located in the former provincial Land Registry Office in Whitby, 1855 Whitby is Durham Region’s first and only technology accelerator whose mission is to position high potential tech companies for the global stage.

• Brilliant Catalyst at Ontario Tech University: Open to all Ontario Tech students, faculty, recent alumni and staff, Brilliant Catalyst offers a range of programs that help founders turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.

• FastStart at Durham College: Open to all Durham College students, fast start is designed to help entrepreneurial students develop and launch their own business, while studying at DC.

Post Secondary Talent

Durham Region is fortunate enough to be home to three world-class post-secondary institutions educating students in a wide variety of in-demand fields. Explore how your business can Tap into Talent.

• Ontario Tech University
• Durham College
• Trent University Durham GTA 

Diversity in the Workplace

Review the resources below for tips on how to effectively recruit, hire, onboard and integrate newcomers into your business. 

• Durham Region Employer Playbook
• Durham Immigration Portal - Hiring Immigrants

Community Employment Services

Connect with the local Employment Ontario office for help getting your job postings filled!

• North Durham Job Developer
• Durham College Community Employment Services - Beaverton Office

 Shopping locally has never been more important - or easier! Take part in region-wide shop local initiatives.  

• Shop Where You Live – Shop in Durham
• Downtowns of Durham
• Shop Local Food in Durham Region

Connect with local or regional business support organizations to be seen, heard and supported in the Township of Brock.

• Brock Board of Trade
• Invest Durham 
• South Lake Community Futures Development Corporation
• Durham Tourism
• Central Counties Tourism