Community Profile
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Economic Development Division City of Cambridge COMMUNITY PROFILE A Summary of Cambridge’s Economic and Social Features Office of the City Manager Economic Development Division Corporation of the City of Cambridge 50 Dickson Street, 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 669 Cambridge Ontario Canada N1R 5W8 Tel: (519) 740‐4683 Fax: (519) 740‐4512, www.cambridge.ca CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY PROFILE CITY ECONOMIC OF 2 DEVELOPMENT CAMBRIDGE DIVISION CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY PROFILE COMMUNITY PROFILE Introduction Cambridge is one of the fastest growing and strongest economic areas in Canada. Over the past ten years, on average, $244 million has been invested annually in building construction, with about one third towards the new residential sector. The average annual population growth rate is just over 1%, while the employment growth over the last census period has been 3% annually. Over the past five years, the establishment of business has increased 3.4% annually. Cambridge’s thriving business climate is why many businesses are choosing to locate and expand here. This booklet provides details on the community and many reasons why the City of Cambridge is your location for success. Economic Development Division The professional staff of the Economic Development Division is available to assist you with your business requirements. Whether you need specific detailed information about Cambridge to help you with your business‐decision making process or a tour of the community and its available “Sites and Buildings”, we are here to provide confidential and expert assistance. Our pro‐business attitude and attention to customer service will facilitate your business transactions with the City’s municipal offices. Please call us with your questions and requirements. Economic Development Division Corporation of the City of Cambridge 50 Dickson St., P.O. Box 669, Cambridge, ON N1R 5W8 Telephone: (519) 740‐4683 Fax: (519) 740‐4512 James Goodram Director of Economic Development Ext.4785 Leah Bozic Senior Economic Development Officer Ext.4535 Trevor McWilliams Business Liaison Officer Ext.4800 Laura Pearce Economic Development Officer Ext. 4615 Devon Hogue Administrative Assistant Ext. 4724 Jacqueline Haynes Clerical Assistant Ext.4678 Alternate formats and accommodations are available upon request Last Revised: May 6, 2016 ECONOMIC CITY DEVELOPMENT 3 OF DIVISION CAMBRIDGE CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY PROFILE TABLE OF CONTENTS HIGHLIGHTS .................................................................................................................................................. 6 ADVANTAGEOUS LOCATION ..................................................................................................................... 9 GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS .................................................................................................................. 10 EXCELLENT TRANSPORTATION LINKS .............................................................................................. 11 ROADS .......................................................................................................................................................... 11 CAMBRIDGE'S INTERNAL ROAD NETWORK ................................................................................................... 12 TRUCKING INFORMATION .............................................................................................................................. 13 PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE ............................................................................................................................. 13 RAIL SERVICE ............................................................................................................................................... 13 AIRPORTS ...................................................................................................................................................... 14 ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY ................................................................................................................................ 14 DEMOGRAPHICS ........................................................................................................................................ 17 ECONOMIC PROFILE ................................................................................................................................ 31 ECONOMIC BASE ........................................................................................................................................... 31 LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS .............................................................................................................. 35 CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY ............................................................................................................................ 36 CAMBRIDGE INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS PARKS ..................................................................................... 37 EDUCATION PROFILE ............................................................................................................................... 40 ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ................................................................................................. 40 POST SECONDARY EDUCATION FACILITIES ................................................................................................... 41 UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO .......................................................................................................................... 41 WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY .................................................................................................................... 42 UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH ............................................................................................................................... 43 CONESTOGA COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED LEARNING ......................................... 44 UTILITIES AND MUNICIPAL TAXATION ............................................................................................... 47 ELECTRICITY................................................................................................................................................. 47 NATURAL GAS .............................................................................................................................................. 48 WATER, SEWER, AND SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ............................................................................................. 49 TELECOMMUNICATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 50 PROPERTY TAXES AND TAX RATES ............................................................................................................... 51 LABOUR FORCE PROFILE ....................................................................................................................... 54 LABOUR FORCE HIGHLIGHTS ........................................................................................................................ 54 LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS .............................................................................................................. 54 UNIONIZATION .............................................................................................................................................. 57 WAGE RATES ................................................................................................................................................ 58 CITY ECONOMIC OF 4 DEVELOPMENT CAMBRIDGE DIVISION CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY PROFILE DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS ................................................................................................................ 59 CAMBRIDGE BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY BY SECTOR .................................................................................. 59 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ......................................................................................................................... 60 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................................................... 63 INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................... 65 OTHER INITIATIVES ....................................................................................................................................... 67 CHRISTIAN LABOUR COUNCIL ...................................................................................................................... 68 RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................................................................ 69 BUSINESS RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................. 71 FINANCING .................................................................................................................................................... 71 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................... 74 HUMAN RESOURCES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS .......................................................................................... 76 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................................... 79 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS .....................................................................................................