Economic Development

The Township established an Economic Development department in 2019. We serve the public sector, private businesses, as well as First Nations communities.

At the Township, we ensure that the quality of our work is beyond client expectations, whether it is a small business plan for a new entrepreneur, or research for the municipality or region. We pride ourselves in providing detailed research, recommendations and reports that lead to the best decision-making possible.

Township of Hornepayne | March 2024

Strengthening Local Business Success

The Township of Hornepayne is pleased to present the findings of the 2024 Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) study. This initiative builds on community engagement, local business surveys, and targeted analysis to identify the challenges and opportunities faced by existing businesses in our community.

This BR+E study confirms that supporting the businesses we already have is the foundation of a strong and sustainable economy.

Key Findings

• Local businesses expressed strong commitment to Hornepayne but noted challenges related to workforce availability, housing shortages, and infrastructure limitations.
• 72% of surveyed businesses indicated plans to expand, diversify, or invest over the next five years if local barriers are addressed.
• Top needs identified include:
• Skilled workforce recruitment and retention
• Housing for employees
• Business support services (e.g., training, networking, digital marketing)
• Businesses emphasized the importance of stable anchor industries (rail, forestry, energy) while seeking more support for small-scale entrepreneurs and service providers.

Opportunities Identified

Workforce and Housing Support

A lack of available housing is restricting business growth. Addressing this gap will directly support local businesses in hiring and retaining workers.

Business Services and Training

Opportunities exist to provide targeted support such as small business workshops, mentorship, and digital transformation training.

Community and Tourism Linkages

Many businesses see growth potential through improved tourism infrastructure, community branding, and regional marketing. This complements the Market Gap Analysis by connecting local businesses to new visitor-driven revenue streams.

Next Steps

The Township will work with its partners to:

• Expand housing initiatives to support workforce attraction.
• Deliver small business support programs tailored to local needs.
• Strengthen partnerships with regional organizations and industry anchors.
• Promote Hornepayne as both a place to invest and a place to grow existing businesses.

Read the Full Report

Full Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Study 

Questions?

For more information or to discuss business opportunities, please contact:

Economic Development Officer
Phone: 807-632-1978
Email: edo@hornepayne.ca

Date Published: March 2024
Prepared by: FBM Planning Ltd. & Preferred Choice
Commissioned by: Township of Hornepayne

A Community Improvement Plan is a strategic financial investment tool used to stimulate and support key community outcomes. 

The Township of Hornepayne's Community Profile provides a detailed overview of the Township's:

• Human assets (population, demographics, skills, labour, education, etc.)
• Economic assets (employment, income, business activity, tourism, economic development services, etc.)
• Infrastructure assets (land use, housing, municipal infrastructure and services, transportation, etc.)
• Social assets (population diversity, cultural heritage resources, community facilities, social services, etc.)
• Natural environment (parks and protected areas, natural areas, forests, etc.)
• Unique characteristics (character, values, goals, action plans, etc.)
• Location, land size and uses, Vision and Strategic Plan

The Community Profile also outlines details of area Aboriginal communities and organizations, health indicators, comparisons of community patterns with the region and province, and more.

If you are starting, expanding or buying a small business, you can apply for training, mentoring and a grant through Starter Company Plus.

Building a Stronger Local Economy

The Township of Hornepayne is pleased to share the results of the 2024 Market Gap Analysis, a detailed study that helps identify new retail opportunities and strategies to support economic growth in our community.

The report confirms what many residents already know—Hornepayne is full of potential. With a strong household income base and growing regional traffic, our community has room to grow and diversify its retail offerings.

Key Findings

• $22 million in total retail spending occurred in the Hornepayne Trade Area in 2023, but only 24% was captured locally.
• $16.7 million in estimated annual sales is leaking out of the community to other towns and online shopping.
• There is demand for approximately 8,000 sq. ft. of additional retail space.
• Categories with the greatest growth potential:
• Quick-service food & beverage (e.g., cafés, fast food)
• Personal services (e.g., hair, spa, prepared meals)
• Pharmacy and health-related retail

Opportunities Identified

Retail Gaps
Our residents often travel to Hearst or Wawa to access everyday goods and services. The analysis suggests substantial opportunity to bring those dollars back home by introducing new or expanded offerings.

Franchise and Local Business Potential
Franchises suited for small-town formats—such as Tim Hortons or Subway—could be successful in Hornepayne, especially with the new Studio 6 hotel welcoming travelers on Highway 631.

Personal Service Businesses like salons, laundry, or ready-made meals are also in high demand.

Read the Full Report

Full Market Gap Analysis (PDF)

Questions?

For more information or to discuss development opportunities, please contact:
Economic Development Officer
807-632-1978
edo@hornepayne.ca

Date Published: March 2024
Prepared by: FBM Planning Ltd.
Commissioned by: Township of Hornepayne

View our Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan "How We Prosper Together", which outlines the collective economic development strategic goals, objectives and action plan for the Superior East Region and neighbouring communities. The plan builds on our area's strengths, opportunities, aspirations, risks and results as they relate to economic development.

Learn about our four strategic objectives, which aim to lead our community to two main themes of outcomes (regional collaboration and regional self-sufficiency):

• Focus on workforce development
• Focus on economic diversification
• Focus on capacity building
• Focus on economic infrastructure and community development

Use our Business and Investment Assistant online tool below to learn more about business and investment tips and advice, business indicators and the local investment climate, workforce sizes and sector maps, and potential connections to valuable contacts.