If you’ve been paying attention to where momentum is building in Ontario, Pembroke is a city you can’t ignore. In 2026, Pembroke sits at the intersection of opportunity, lifestyle, and strategic growth, and forward-thinking businesses are starting to take notice. Even HGTV has recently turned its attention to the city, selecting Pembroke as a potential location of interest for its hit series Home Town Takeover, shining a national spotlight on the community’s charm, potential, and pride.
Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, Pembroke offers more than small-town appeal. It delivers real advantages for entrepreneurs, investors, and expanding companies ready to grow somewhere that values both innovation and quality of life.
A community that shows up
Pembroke is known for its strong sense of community, and that spirit directly benefits local businesses. Residents actively support independent shops, restaurants, and services, creating a loyal customer base that believes in buying local. At the same time, business owners benefit from a collaborative environment, where partnerships, mentorship, and city-led support programs help ideas turn into sustainable ventures (learn more at Choose Pembroke).
Strategic assets and shovel-ready opportunity
Pembroke’s location places businesses within reach of powerful regional anchors. The city is just over an hour from Ottawa and sits near Chalk River Laboratories, Canada’s premier nuclear science and research facility, and CFB Petawawa, one of the country’s largest military bases.For industrial, manufacturing, and logistics-focused businesses, the TransCan Industrial Park offers a compelling opportunity. With available serviced land, proximity to major transportation routes, and room to scale, TransCan provides a shovel-ready environment for companies looking to expand without the constraints or costs of larger urban centres.
Education, healthcare, and workforce strength
Pembroke benefits from a growing talent pipeline supported by Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, which trains students in healthcare, skilled trades, business, and technology. This local access to education helps employers recruit and retain skilled workers without competing with big-city salary pressures.At the same time, the Pembroke Regional Hospital continues to expand and modernize, reinforcing the city’s role as a regional healthcare hub and attracting professionals, families, and investment tied to healthcare innovation and services.
Affordability meets lifestyle
Lower commercial rents, affordable real estate, and reduced operating costs allow businesses to scale faster and smarter. But what truly sets Pembroke apart is lifestyle. Employees and owners enjoy access to the Ottawa River, world-class whitewater rafting, proximity to Algonquin Park, and year-round outdoor recreation, all minutes from downtown. This balance makes recruitment easier and burnout rarer.
Tourism and future-facing potential
Tourism in Pembroke is growing, driven by outdoor adventure, cultural events, and renewed interest in the downtown core. As attention increases, from visitors, investors, and even national television, businesses established now are well positioned to grow alongside the city’s next chapter.
A city ready for investment
Pembroke in 2026 is a city on the rise. With strategic industries, educational and healthcare investment, unmatched affordability, and a lifestyle people actively seek out, it offers businesses a rare opportunity: room to grow, support to succeed, and a community ready to welcome what’s next.
Author Bio
Kathleen Barr is the Investment Attraction Officer with the City of Pembroke’s Economic Development department, which works to support local businesses, attract new investment, and drive sustainable economic growth. The department takes a collaborative, community-focused approach to showcasing Pembroke as a place where businesses can grow, invest, and succeed.
