January 2017 | Business View Magazine

154 155 owen sound, ontario erating facility in the world, is less than an hour away and significantly influences the regional economy. Bruce Power is currently undertaking significant re-investment that will positively impact the community for years to come. Many Bruce Power employees choose to live in Owen Sound and take advantage of the community amenities. Retail provides another 2,000 jobs; Wal-Mart, Home Depot,Winners, Michaels, Princess Auto– these big- box stores are definite draws to the community. Plus, there are many restaurants, boutiques and artistic endeavors gravitating to the rejuve- nated downtown core. Owen Sound is growing in popularity as a four-season tourist destination (over 400 hotel/ motel rooms), and employment numbers in that sector are on the rise. In terms of investment, there is a new 100- room hotel and conference center coming; a 160-bed nursing home facility being built; and two 33-unit condo projects on the go, down- town. One is a conversion, one is a brand new six-story building. Several residential develop- ments are also underway. A key trend is people wanting to live downtown. The activity there – restaurants, theater, art gallery, library, special events – is transforming the area. The City has two draft plans of subdivision applications with over 300 units proposed in each. In other downtown news, City Hall is being redeveloped, and the historic 150-year-old for- mer jail building has been purchased by the Tom Thomson Art Gallery for its new location. “Not only are we getting an expanded art gallery,” says Furness,“we’re saving and repurposing a fascinat- ing heritage building. It’s very exciting.” In the tech sector, many residents and compa- nies work remotely from the city with business AT A GLANCE OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO WHAT: Regional center of Grey & Bruce Counties; population 22,000 WHERE: Located on the southern shores of Georgian Bay, Ontario WEBSITE: www.owensound.ca