News & Events
The Town of Ajax is a rapidly growing community that is changing everyday. We encourage you to visit this section periodically in order to remain up-to-date on the latest business activities and happenings in Ajax.
Current news and events in Ajax:
What's happening in Economic Development?
The Economic Development Office has a full calendar in 2008! Whether we are networking, attending trade shows, or getting to know our business community better, our team will be busy attracting and retaining business in Town. Take a look at the Business Events Calendar to mark down some important dates now.
A strong season of growth ahead for the Town of Ajax
The arrival of warmer weather marks the start of several new construction projects in Ajax. This construction represents more than just bricks and mortar - it represents the creation of new jobs for Ajax residents and new opportunities for local businesses. Here’s a glimpse of the projects currently or soon to be underway, as well as an update of new business openings in Town.
New Industrial Construction
A number of exciting development projects in Ajax’s key employment areas are soon to begin. In total, they represent approximately 80,000 square meters of new industrial space that once complete, will greatly enhance the business landscape in Town.
As a result of a major purchase of employment lands on the southeast corner of Harwood Avenue and Rossland Road by Higgins Development Partners, several new businesses will soon call Ajax home. Over 60,000 square metres of new employment facilities will be built over the next three years creating hundreds of new jobs. Construction of the first 10,000 square metre building is scheduled to begin this summer.
In south Ajax, the attraction of businesses will continue with the introduction of new industrial space on the eastside of Westney Road just north of Shaw Court. Three buildings are proposed for the site totaling 4,000 square metres.
The North Harwood Centre, a new prestige employment development in North Ajax, will soon begin construction on the eastside of Harwood Avenue south of Taunton Road. Two buildings totaling 8,000 square metres will create new and exciting business opportunities.
A BMW dealership totaling 4,500 square meters will soon become the newest edition to the Salem Centre Business Area. Located at the prominent corner of Salem and Achilles Road, the dealership will be a landmark building featuring an urban square.
 |
Moving just down the road from their existing location, Ajax Nissan is currently constructing their new dealership on the north side of Bayly Street, just west of Westney Road. Construction is well underway on this 2,500 square metre building which should be open in the coming months. |
Messier-Dowty, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of landing gear systems for both commercial and miliary aircraft and one of Ajax’s top employers, is currently adding 1,100 square metres to the front of their building. This expansion is the result of being awarded the contract for the assembly of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner landing gear.
New Retail Construction
Ajax’s retail sector also continues to flourish, with a number of significant developments planned for the upcoming season.
The Durham Centre has expanded bringing several new retailers to Ajax. Located on the northwest corner of Salem and Kingston Road, new businesses include the Bank of Montreal (the first private LEED certified building to be built in Ajax), a number of retailers and The Keg Restaurant.
Also on Kingston Road, west of Wicks Road, a new retail development will feature five new buildings totaling 6,600 square metres. Future tenants include a pharmacy and restaurants, as well as retail and office uses.
At the southwest corner of Taunton and Ravenscroft Roads, six buildings totaling 15,500 square metres will soon be built. Proposed future tenants include a RONA, Scotiabank, a grocery store and several smaller retail tenants.
In north Ajax, construction will soon begin at Salem Road and Taunton Road where six new buildings totaling 10,000 square metres will be built. Proposed new retailers include an A&P Supermarket, LCBO, TD Canada Trust and a Shoppers Drug Mart among others. Construction on the development will begin this summer.
Open for Business
While construction is underway at many sites in Ajax, it is winding down for a number of others. The Town of Ajax is pleased to announce the opening of several new facilities that bring with them exciting employment opportunities.
| The first phase of the Atlas Logistics Ajax Inc. distribution centre is now open. Totaling close to 90,000 square metres, this is the largest facility to open in Ajax and will be the main distribution hub for Loblaw products in southeastern Ontario. Once at full capacity, the facility will employ approximately 700 people. |
 |
Terry C. Stapley and Olympic Wholesale are two new distribution businesses located on Green Court. Combined, these two new buildings total 10,000 square meters of new industrial space and have created over 100 new jobs.
Two new office buildings totaling 3,200 square metres are now open in the Salem Centre Business Area. This new space has already attracted a number of retail, restaurant and office uses to the area. Many more are expected as a result of an excellent location given its immediate proximity to the Highway 401-Salem Road interchange.
All this development growth represents a strong investment in the local economy which is being made by both existing businesses wanting to expand and by new companies that have made the decision to relocate to Ajax. The mix of both existing and new businesses constructing facilities is the strongest possible testament that the Town truly offers a strategic business location, and that Ajax is First for Business.
Welcome to Ajax!
Please join us in welcoming the following businesses who have recently opened their doors in Ajax:
Angel Wings & Fairy Dust
161 Harwood Ave. North, Unit 6 - Durham Annex Plaza
Visit their website at: www.angelwingsandfairydust.com
Argosy Securities Inc.
66 Church Street South
Visit their website at: www.argosynet.ca
Frostline Cup-cake bakery
235 Bayly Street
Learna Education Centre
235 Bayly Street West
Visit their website at: www.learna.com
Marie’s Diner
95 Kingston Road
Sunshade Blinds & Drapery
88 Old Kingston Road
Visit their website at: www.sunshade-blinds.com
First News
 The Economic Development Office periodically produces a newsletter with current business stories and information. To view the latest editions of the First News, click on the respective date below.
 July, 2007
May, 2006
December, 2005
Look at the green thumb on Ajax
As the pressure to correct the adverse affects of pollution and global warming continues, increased ownership is being placed on everyone to do their part to protect our fragile environment. The Town of Ajax has become a leader in environmental preservation and restoration.
Paving the way of the future, the Ajax Fire Headquarters and Training Facility that is currently under construction in north Ajax will be the first Gold Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building in Durham. The building, expected to be completed early next year, will be equipped with a number of features that will yield maximized water and energy efficiency. It is projected to save the Town 50 per cent in energy and utility costs.
 |
The Town has also taken an active stand in improving the Ajax waterfront. On March 21, 2007, the Minister of the Environment issued an order to the Regions, imposing a total of 15 new conditions on the Duffins Creek Water Pollution Control Plant Expansion, 13 of which addressed issues raised by Ajax. The Town, in conjunction with The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Regions of Durham and York, will also be undertaking water quality testing of the waterfront. The objective is to determine which factors are affecting water quality, particularly the sources of pollutants that cause beach closures and impact the growth of Cladophora (algae). |
Ajax is also a founder and active member of the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance (DSEA), an alliance of municipalities in the Region of Durham, private sector businesses and the region’s academic institutions. The Town is working with its peers towards the mission of fostering an energy-friendly environment in Durham that is a model for action in Ontario and Canada. For more information about the DSEA, visit www.dsea.ca.
It’s clear that Ajax is leading by example. Visit regularly to stay up to date with these and other environment driven initiatives.
Introducing Smart Commute
As the population of Ajax continues to grow, we are regularly evaluating and improving our road infrastructure to limit traffic, congestion and pollution. But even more can be done! To give businesses the opportunity and resources to do their part, the Region of Durham has launched an initiative centred around "smart commuting".
Smart Commute is a partnership between the cities and regions of the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton. Smart Commute Durham was recently launched, and Durham Region became the first official member in September. We’re calling on Ajax businesses to show their support and dedication to preserving our environment by taking part in this great initiative.
Here’s a glimpse at the services that the program offers:
- Performing site assessments and surveys to understand the commuting behaviour of each businesses’ specific workforce
- Assisting with the development of a customized commuting options program for each workforce
- Offering exclusive ride-matching programs for employees
- Providing assistance in implementing emergency-ride-home programs; preferential parking strategies; pedestrian and cycling facilities/services; and alternative work arrangements
- Acting as a conduit with Durham Region Transit to examine improved transit services to the workplace
- Providing workshops, lunch-and-learn sessions and seminars for employees to raise awareness of alternative modes of transportation.
Membership is free and easy and the benefits are endless. To find out more, visit www.smartcommutedurham.ca. Or, click here to read the first edition of the "Travel Smart" newsletter.
|
