Perfectly situated between Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, one of the province’s oldest cities is in the midst of an economic boom.
Known for its long-standing history in manufacturing, Cornwall’s economy has evolved and diversified to include new business sectors, bringing with it an influx of job opportunities for both new and existing residents.
“The cost of living is low and the economic and employment opportunities are high,” says Bob Peters, Manager of Cornwall Economic Development.
As an urban centre with a small-town feel, the region is quickly establishing itself as a place to grow both a family and a career. In the last few years, the city has attracted some big-name businesses that have set up logistics centres in the area, creating thousands of jobs.
Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart and auto parts distributor Benson Group are just some of the names operating out of the Cornwall Business Park, opening up millions of square feet in facility space, and injecting a similar amount of money into the city’s economy.
“We’ve had job growth from our biggest employers, and we’ve also had job growth from just about every sector,” says Peters.
The area is also a growing hub for food processing plants, with snack food manufacturer Leclerc Group and meat processing firm Olymel both expanding operations. Manufacturing remains healthy, with growth in firms such as SigmaPoint, Morbern and Laminacorr.
But the city is not just for large corporations looking to take advantage of Cornwall’s low electricity rates and strategic location on Highway 401. Peters says there has been a notable surge in entrepreneurs looking to build their businesses in Cornwall, with nearly 40 new companies opening up every year.
“When it comes to recruiting, we simply have more jobs than people,” he says. “We’ve been very fortunate over the last couple years to help our companies attract that workforce, but they don’t show signs of stopping, which means we can’t as well.”
In an effort to attract new residents to the area, the city has invested in local amenities to offer even more opportunities to live, work and play in the community.
The area recently added a new indoor field house, a multi-rink sports complex, an aquatic centre and a curling centre to complement the vibrant downtown area. Plans are underway for a new downtown arts centre.
The region is also ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of biking and walking paths running alongside the St. Lawrence River as well as several festivals and events throughout the year that attract thousands of visitors.
With a bustling downtown core filled with shops and restaurants, a vibrant St. Lawrence College, below-average housing prices and an ever-growing list of job openings, Cornwall is a must-see place for anyone looking to put down roots, says Peters.
“If you haven’t been to Cornwall, it’s definitely time to take a closer look.”
