Business Toolkit
The Brock Advantage
Community Profiles |
Explore interactive community profile dashboards to learn why the Township of Brock in the Region of Durham is an exceptional place to live, work, play and do business. |
Starting or Expanding Your Business
Registering Your Business |
Those looking to register a business in the Province of Ontario are encouraged to reach out to the Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) as there are many variables to consider when choosing how to structure a business and how to get it registered with the appropriate levels of government. BACD’s business advisors can be contacted by emailing bacd@durham.ca or by calling 905-668-4949. Resources |
Site Selection |
Visit Invest Durham for information on available properties or 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.
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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.
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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. |
Health Inspections and Approvals |
Certain types of businesses require on-site inspections from Durham Region public health inspectors. Learn about public health inspection programs that may affect your business. If you plan to operate any of the types of businesses listed here, please contact the Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) to learn more about any public health requirements pertaining to your business. |
Development Charges (DC's) |
Discover municipal, regional, and education development charge rates for your type and size of project. Note: Municipal, regional, and education development charges apply |
Community Improvement Plan Incentives |
Find out whether any of Brock Township’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP) incentives apply to your project. |
Home-Based Businesses |
By-Laws Those currently operating or looking to start a home-based business within the Township of Brock should review the General Provisions section of the Zoning By-Law, specifically page 129 referring to Home Occupations and page 142 referring to Home Industries to ensure they are operating in accordance with these regulations. Home-Based Food Premises Operators are required to notify the Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) when opening a Home-based Food Premises (HBFP) within the Region. All food premises, including HBFPs, are subject to the requirements of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA), the Ontario Food Premises Regulation and inspections by a DRHD public health inspector. The Durham Region Health Department’s Home-Based Food Premises Info Sheet can help operators determine if their HBFP is suitable for operation. 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. |
Agri-Business |
Agricultural businesses bring vibrancy to our rural landscape and support our local economy. For resources related to starting or expanding your agricultural business, please review the following links and connect with agriculture@durham.ca.
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Entrepreneurship Resources |
Durham Region’s entrepreneurship ecosystem has the resources to help take your business to the next level.
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Township Presence at Business Events |
Please contact the Brock Board of Trade for ribbon cutting inquiries at info@brockboardoftrade.com |
Operating Your Business
Hiring Local Talent |
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. Diversity in the Workplace Review the resources below for tips on how to effectively recruit, hire, onboard and integrate newcomers into your business. Community Employment Services Connect with the local Employment Ontario office for help getting your job postings filled! |
Public Transit Options for Employees |
Durham Region Transit On Demand transit can help employees commute to and from their place of work in the Township of Brock and throughout north Durham. On Demand is a flexible service that provides customers public transit options in areas of Durham Region where demand does not support scheduled bus service. In the Township of Brock, customers will be picked up and dropped off at the end of the driveway of their point of origin and destination. If travelling to a larger community such as Port Perry or Uxbridge, customers will be picked up and dropped off at designated bus stops within the town. On Demand can also be used to transfer onto Durham Region Transit Route 905 in Port Perry or Uxbridge to continue into the urban area of Durham Region, or to connect to GO Train services at Whitby Station. Learn more about the On Demand program by reviewing the following resources: |
Brock Retail Design Guidelines |
Enhance your retail space’s appeal and functionality by reviewing Brock’s Retail Design Guidelines. |
Shop Local Initiatives |
Shopping locally has never been more important - or easier! Take part in region-wide shop local initiatives. |
Broadband |
Led by Durham OneNet Inc., work is being done to build a Regional Broadband Network (RBN) consisting of 700 kilometres of fibre-optic backbone that will connect Durham Region’s rural communities to high-speed internet. Similar to a highway network, this backbone will bring high-speed fibre-optic connectivity into our rural communities, providing “off-ramps” that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can leverage and build high-quality last mile networks delivering fast, reliable and affordable internet services. See whether service is currently available at your business address through any of North Durham’s operating Internet Service Providers (ISP’s): Learn more about the progress being made on the Regional Broadband Network! |
Funding Opportunities |
Brock business owners are encouraged to review the following resources and funding opportunities as they relate to their business. General
Digital Adoption Downtown Businesses Tourism
Agriculture |
Business Support Organizations |
Connect with local or regional business support organizations to be seen, heard and supported in the Township of Brock. |
Connect with Us!
Still have questions? Connect with us and we will be happy to chat!
Glen Macfarlane
Rural Economic Development Specialist
Invest Durham (Region of Durham)
glen.macfarlane@durham.ca
289-404-6490