More than 700 jobs created in Orillia last year

Employers in Orillia created or regained more than 700 jobs in 2011, arguably a record year for the City.

The revival of TeleTech, a U.S. based call centre, accounted for the bulk of the job growth. TeleTech had been force to layoff two-thirds of its workforce in 2009 during the depths of the recession.

Over the past year TeleTech hired or rehired more than 600 workers. The company now has three major multi-year contracts with a total of 739 employees.

Site director Trevor Forrester notes “We are offering more specialty career opportunities – auto technicians, financial specialists, and account consultants; this is great for our company and community.”

Forrester also credited good communication with the City of Orillia in assisting his company through the challenging times.

Manufacturing related jobs were also on the increase in Orillia last year, bucking the trend of contracting manufacturing growth.

Leadbetter Foods purchased and renovated the former Parker Hannifin plant on Hughes Road to expand its meat processing. The company announced more than 60 additional workers would be hired when the new site is occupied in 2012.

CCI Thermal Technologies Inc. expects to add up to 30 new employees when work to double its 50,000-square foot facility is completed.

In July, 2011, Strongco, a company that maintains and services heavy equipment, announced it was opening a business in Orillia, resulting in at least six new jobs, including heavy equipment mechanics.

Madison County Food Services is also looking to take on up to 15 new employees after picking up new work, including the contract to operate a new food services building for the Orillia campus of Lakehead University.

Both Lakehead University and Georgian College also experienced job growth in 2011.

Dan Landry, Orillia’s Manager of Economic Development, says the job front news in 2011 is a sign our local economy is healthy and expanding.

The return and creation of more than 700 jobs in our City over the past year arguably represents a best ever, if not a best in a long while,” he said. And, he says, there could be even more growth on the horizon.

“A recent survey of our businesses indicated almost half of them are looking to expand in the next three years,” said Landry. “The City is looking to work with those businesses to help facilitate those expansions.”

Landry points to initiatives like the City’s recent announcement of a three-year moratorium on industrial development charges as catalysts for growth.

“As a result of the work of our former manager and the City’s decision to place a moratorium on development charges, our board approved a 50,000 square foot expansion,” said current manager Robert Hart. “Of course there were many other factors involved, but the City’s co-operation certainly made the decision to expand in Orillia easier.”

Looking to encourage continued economic development, Landry's office is working with the City’s planning department to streamline approval processes and removing red tape.

"A lot of these businesses are thinking about expansion so we have to work with them. It is a good sign that there is potential to grow from within," he said.