The Ontario government is investing $180,000 in Barrie to help local businesses navigate U.S. tariffs, expand into international markets and strengthen their resilience.
The funding was announced Aug. 28 at Black Controls Company Inc. in Barrie. Provided through the province’s $40-million Trade-Impacted Communities Program, the $180,000 investment will support a two-year Export Development Initiative led by Invest Barrie.
Businesses will receive export training, market development resources, trade expertise and support navigating tariffs and global trade disruptions.
A Trade Accelerator Program cohort should launch in fall 2026 in partnership with the Toronto Region Board of Trade, City of Orillia and the County of Simcoe. The partners hope this will help businesses improve export readiness, enter new markets and diversify trade relationships.
The initiative aims to reduce reliance on U.S. markets, strengthen local supply chains and improve business competitiveness.
Barrie–Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin said the investment is about ensuring local companies have the resources they need to adapt.
“We are leaving no business behind, and we are creating funds like the one today to ensure that we give every business a leg up,” she said.
“In the face of economic uncertainty, the $40 million TICP initiative is a tactical tool launched by the Government of Ontario last year to protect good-paying jobs and build resiliency, self-reliance in communities across Ontario.”
Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downey said the funding will help Barrie-area businesses capitalize on new opportunities.
“We have such opportunity. In these uncertain times, when it comes to export markets, we need to make sure that we’re partnering in the right spaces,” he said.
“This is part of the Team Barrie approach to making sure that we’re protecting and helping our innovators, our risk-takers, the brilliant minds that we have in the area, either trained here or came here.”
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall said the initiative builds on Invest Barrie’s existing work supporting local employers.
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“The Trade Accelerator Program will provide training, market development resources, and expertise, giving our local business owners access to support to help them grow their companies, explore those new markets, and build long-term success,” he said.
The TICP was announced as part of Ontario’s nearly $30-billion tariff relief and support plan. The province said it has received more than 80 applications from communities since the program launched.
