DRIVEN BYINNOVATION,EXPERTISEAND LEADERSHIP

Visit our web sitewww.business.markham.ca

Markham, located in the heart of the Greater Toronto

Area (GTA) is one of the most culturally diverse,

economically vital and fast growing municipalities in

the GTA with over 340,000 people.

Our city, known as Canada’s High Tech Capital is home

to over 1000 hightech and life sciences businesses that

generate 39,000 jobs, a quarter of Markham’s total

employment of 158,000. Over 400 corporations are

headquartered in Markham including world renowned

businesses, such as IBM, TD Bank, Aviva Insurance,

Allstate, CGI, Parsons, Huawei Technologies, Bank of

China, and Honda.

Our growing knowledge economy is supported by a robust technology sector,

talented workforce, cross-sector partnerships, and commercialization infrastructure.

The Markham Convergence Centre and VentureLAB are examples of innovative

networks established to support R&D activities and help technology start-ups

accelerate growth through bringing to market new products and services.

Markham’s strong entrepreneurial spirit has inspired many businesses to make the

city their home and grow their employment footprint. Our ability to understand and

support businesses in a flexible and results- oriented manner is critical to the City’s

expanding collaborations with our local business associations, and to the delivery of

an active global investment and attraction program in our targeted markets,

including China, India, the U.S.A., and Europe.

I invite you to explore opportunities in Markham and

join our community of dynamic, innovative and

growing businesses !

Frank ScarpittiMayor, City of Markham179

1,000+High-Tech & Life Sciences Companies

871High-Tech Companies

400+Corporate Head O�ces

Life Sciences Companies

Residents with Post-Secondary Education 60%

CommercialIndustrial

2014 TAX RATES

1.76%2.04%CommercialIndustrial

Available Land – Serviced & Market Ready

286 acres586 acres

Building Permits Issued (Jan.- Dec., 2014)

2,368

New Residential Units (Jan.-Dec., 2014)

1,276

Construction Value (Jan.-Dec., 2014)

$612.2 million

Commercial O�ce Inventory (Q4, 2014)

5.4 million sf

Industrial Inventory (Q4, 2014)

32.0 million sf

Markham is located within the Greater Toronto Area (6 million people) and is within one day’s drive of 135 million North American consumers – about 44% of the U.S. population.

Mayor's MessageMarkham at a Glance

Employment inHigh-Tech & Life Sciences

158,000Total Employment

39,000

Businesses In Markham9,900

ITC & LifeScienceConvergence

InformationEntertainment& CulturalIndustries

ProfessionalScienti�c &TechnicalServices

Finance &InsuranceServices

Creative Markham

Sustainable Markham

Network Markham

Global Markham

Infrastructure Markham

Healthy Markham

Branded Markham

Talented Markham

SUCCESSby design

Our actions focus on our ability to retain and attract business and labour. They include: technological infrastructures and social networks; global linkages; efficient infrastructure (including roads, transit and public utilities); health and wellness; an identifiable brand; creative capacity; and a skilled, educated labour force.

“TD has a wonderful relationship with the City of Markham, not only it’s a banking relationship but it’s a very personal relationship. It’s a partnership: we work together on a variety of community projects, we work together in making the community grow, and we work in terms of creating jobs at TD for the City of Markham.”

Frank Mc Kenna I Deputy Chair, TD

“Here in Markham we �nd the key factors leading to our success: talented people, diversi�ed community and the best business environment. That is the reason why we continue to invest here.”

Sean Yang I CEO & President, Huawei

“As IBMers we have called Markham our home in Canada for over 30 years. We have our headquarters, our largest software lab and distribution centre located right here. Along with the numerous businesses that have moved into the area, we help Markham hold the title of Canada’s High Tech Capital.”

Pat Horgan I Vice President of Manufacturing, Development and Operations, IBM Canada

“We’re playing a larger role in research and innovation. When we opened our campus in Markham, we moved our o�ce of research and innovation here, and that’s the o�ce that oversees all of our activities which are growing every year whether it is in computer study, life science or �nancial services across our programs. What we �nd in Markham is an innovation ecosystem that is really thriving.”

David Agnew I President, Seneca College

“At the GE Grid IQ Innovation Centre in Markham, we research, develop and manufacture smart grid technologies not just for Ontario but the world. Together we develop technologies to address sustainable energy problems that are around the world. And the world is coming to the Grid IQ Centre in Markham for their solutions.”

Elyse Allan I CEO & President, GE Canada

“An excellent example of collaboration between the City of Markham and York University is Markham Convergence Centre. It enables York University to use its knowledge for the bene�t of the community, by supporting the creation of new companies as well as supporting the growth of existing companies.”

Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri I President and Vice Chancellor, York University

“Markham has a unique set of o�erings that make it a very interesting and unique place to commercialise innovation in the Province of Ontario. It’s made up of a couple of key things including a cluster of multinational corporations headquartered in Markham, world class academic institutions, and an incredible cluster of start ups of small and medium sized enterprises that are building capacity here in Markham and York Region.”

Jeremy Laurin I CEO & President, VentureLAB

“The business philosophy of Markham matches Honda’s philosophy in so many di�erent ways. We like the proximity to Highway 404…and the proximity to our factory in Alliston, Ontario where we are building almost 400,000 vehicles a year.”

Jerry Chenkin I President, Honda Canada

Markham 2020 Economic Strategy FrameworkWhy Markham: Business Testimonials

The Economic Development team at the City of Markham leverages their knowledge, skills, experience, and networks to help businesses address issues relating to operating and growing their businesses through the following programs and services: Support Business Development & Expansion • Site selection process support through access to vacant employment land database, real estate and development data and contacts, and facilitation of internal development process to expedite development applications. • Support business development through one- to-one meetings and access market information. • Connections with business representatives, networks and associations, international consul general offices, and government contacts. • Assistance with navigating municipal regulations and processes related to business operational activities. • Assistance with expanding business to international markets.

Markham Small Business Centre (MSBC) • Provide training and information services to new business start-ups, young entrepreneurs and the unemployed. • Promote entrepreneurship and self-employment

Markham Convergence Centre (MCC) • The Markham Convergence Centre serves as a one-stop innovation hub for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to commercialize their technologies. • MCC creates a thriving ecosystem by offering small and large businesses with access to physical space, extensive networks and resources dedicated to propelling ideas from concept to market. www.markhamconvergence.ca VentureLAB • Located within the MCC , ventureLAB™ helps talented entrepreneurs in York Region bring their innovation to market based on a program of mentoring, partnering and connecting. • VentureLAB™ has supported over 3,000 start-ups in the fields of: Advanced health technology, Digital media, Information communications technology, Green energy, Advanced materials/manufacturing, and Clean technology. www.venturelab.ca

Frank ScarpittiMayorfscarpitti@markham.ca(905) 475-4872

Alex ChiuCouncillor Ward 8Chair of Economic Developmentachiu@markham.ca(905) 479-7752

Alan HoCouncillor Ward 2Vice Chair, Economic Developmentaho@markham.ca (905) 479-7760

Economic Development Department

Markham Council

Stephen ChaitDirectorschait@markham.ca(905) 477-7000 x 4871

Chris WilsonAssistant to Directorcwilson@markham.ca

Christina Kaka�ikasManager of Special Projectsckaka�ikas@markham.ca(905) 477-7000 x 6590

Sandra TamSr Business Development O�cersandratam@markham.ca(905) 477-7000 x 3883

Don De Los SantosManager, Markham Small Business Centreddelossantos@markham.ca (905) 477-7000 x 3663

Huyen HareSr Business Development O�cer hhare@markham.ca(905) 477-7000 x 5255

Brigitte SharpeSmall Business CoordinatorMarkham Small Business Centrebsharpe@markham.ca(905) 477-7000 x 2528

We Are Here to Help

Business Commercialization Support