Economic Development News

City Council has approved a historic 25-year strategic plan that lays out key principles and priorities to secure Owen Sound’s future as a livable, safe and enjoyable city for everyone. 

“Vision 2050 charts our City’s future at a time of unprecedented change, challenge and opportunity,” said Mayor Ian Boddy. “It provides a compass bearing for current and future City Councils to set priorities and take action.”

Owen Sound is experiencing remarkable development growth in 2025, with building activity reaching historic highs. Years of preparation by City Council, along with the dedicated work of city staff, are now paying off as major projects move forward and investment in the city surges.

Construction values in Owen Sound have reached $214.5 million year-to-date. In the past six years, construction values peaked at $67 million in 2020. This exceptional growth reflects both the City’s commitment to strategic planning and the strong interest from developers in Owen Sound’s future.

The City of Owen Sound advanced several key priorities during very successful discussions with provincial leaders at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s annual conference in Ottawa this week. 

The City of Owen Sound is celebrating the groundbreaking of a landmark housing project that will bring 267 new rental suites to the community. Located at 3195 East Bayshore Road, the development by SkyDev, part of Skyline, represents a major step forward in expanding local housing options and supporting long-term growth in the area.

Next week, City of Owen Sound representatives are attending the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa to advocate on behalf of residents and taxpayers. The conference provides a vital platform for hundreds of municipalities to collaborate on addressing pressing challenges through direct conversations with provincial decision-makers.

The City of Owen Sound is pleased to announce that a building permit has been issued for the Bayshore Terrace development, located at the partially constructed site directly across from the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.

The latest video in Grey County’s Gather in Grey campaign is now live, highlighting some of the rich, diverse and delicious culinary offerings of Owen Sound. Titled ‘Gather in Owen Sound,’ the feature is part of a region-wide storytelling series hosted by internationally acclaimed chef and artist Roger Mooking, Grey County’s first Culinary Ambassador.

The City of Owen Sound hosted a professionally facilitated stakeholder meeting on Monday, July 28, to gather targeted feedback from downtown business owners, social service representatives, and other stakeholders on safety and business conditions in the River District. The “Community Stakeholder Discussion to Foster a Vibrant River District” was held in response to a request from the Owen Sound Police Services Board. 

The insights and potential actions from the meeting will be shared in a report to Owen Sound Council in September. 

The City of Owen Sound is thrilled to share that it was successful in its grant application to receive funding for the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre Ice Pad and Arena Board and Glass Replacement project, as announced earlier today by Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers. The project will receive up to $915,000 from the Ontario Ministry of Sport’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund. 

A new public-facing Geographic Information System (GIS) web application is now available through the City of Owen Sound’s website. This interactive tool offers residents improved access to a range of mapped city services and information. It makes it easy to explore a range of city services and infrastructure through information-rich map layers.