Top 5 Reasons to Invest in the Waterloo Region

People Power Diverse. Innovative. Entrepreneurial. Creative. Enterprising. There are many adjectives used to describe the Waterloo Region's labour force. The one constant is "talent." The presence of world-leading companies – from RIM, to Microsoft, to Toyota – who tap this resource with direct hires, and leverage considerable R&D capability in the Region, attests to this significant competitive advantage. An outstanding post-secondary education (50,000 students) feeds the constant regeneration of the talent feedstock, and spin-off of new companies leveraging intellectual property generated in the Region's academic institutions. The University of Waterloo consistently leads Canadian University Reputational Rankings (Macleans 2007) and has a world renowned Faculty of Computer Science. The Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Applied Learning has been Ontario’s top-ranked College nine of the last ten years. Wilfrid Laurier University is known for excellence in business, economics, music, and graduate studies. The Waterloo Region is home to internationally-focused research institutes: Perimeter Institute, Centre for International Governance Innovation, Academic Council on the United Nations System.

Stephen Hawking Accepts Research Post in Waterloo "Canada's profile in the international physics community got a huge boost today as renowned 'superstar' cosmologist Stephen Hawking accepted a research post at the country's "crown jewel" of theoretical physics study. Hawking will hold the title of distinguished research chair at the prestigious Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (University of Waterloo). The role will see him make regular visits to the southwestern Ontario city, beginning next summer." (Canadian Press, November 27, 2008)

A Matter of Economy – the Advanced Technology Cluster

The fabric of the Waterloo Region's dynamism, and its future, is woven from the threads of industry employing advanced technology in their product development and manufacturing processes, and using advanced technology as a key driver of business competitiveness. The Region's Advanced Technology Cluster crosses many sectors, but has particular prominence in the automotive, ICT, advanced manufacturing, and business and financial services sectors. The region's innovation prowess is reflected in the 26,000+ employed at 450 information technology companies. Competitive business costs and the most diverse economy in Ontario drive the continued expansion of the advanced technology cluster.

A Growth Leader Between 2001 and 2006, the Waterloo Region: was one of the fastest growing communities in Canada had the 6th fastest growing employment growth of all Canadian urban centres had the 3rd youngest median age of all Canadian urban centres generated 21.5 billion in GDP had the 2nd highest ratio of manufacturing labour force to total labour force in Canada The Waterloo Region economy generates roughly $12 billion in exports annually. Location Location Location The Waterloo Region is located astride highway 401, Canada’s busiest thoroughfare with convenient access to northeast and mid-west U.S. markets by road. The Region lies one hour away from Toronto, Canada's leading head office capital and largest census metropolitan area (5.1 million people). The Toronto International Airport, Canada's busiest airport, is 45 minutes away. 60% of the U.S. market lies within a two hour flight time. The Waterloo International Airport has daily service to Detroit, Calgary and Ottawa.

The Waterloo Region – Global Leader The Waterloo Region produces world-renowned products known for their distinctiveness, including RIM's Blackberry, and Toyota's Lexus RX350. The Waterloo Region is the recipient of numerous community awards: World’s Best Managed Waterway for the Grand River, the Silver Award for International Livable Community, and Top Intelligent Community in the world (2007)

Life Is Better

Work life balance is important to residents of the Waterloo Region. A study of level of life satisfaction in Canadian cities (UBC, 2007) ranks the Waterloo Region 4th in Canada. Recreation and leisure opportunities are extensive.

The Waterloo Region prides itself on being a safe and healthy community. It has the fourth lowest crime rate in Canada (2007).

The Waterloo Region provides a high standard of living at affordable costs. Cost of living is 1/3 less than in Toronto. There's also more time to enjoy life outside work. 80% of commuters in Waterloo Region live less than 30 minutes from work, with a median commute distance of 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles).