Startups and tech giants transforming Kitchener-Waterloo

“Our community is rich and smart,” says Waterloo’s Mayor

There was once a time when many young and aspiring professionals had to leave Kitchener-Waterloo for better opportunities. However, that is certainly no longer the case.

You see, the region is now home to scores of tech startups and big tech companies who are creating jobs and fueling growth on every level. The businesses here are successful too, and they are making massive strides in artificial intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things), drones, intelligent marketing, space manufacturing, bionics, not to mention wearables.

Earlier this year Google opened up its Kitchener space and pledged $2.1 million for its science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs for youth in the area. BlackBerry Limited (formerly known as Research in Motion) is headquartered in Waterloo and they recently reported revenue of $1.309-billion.

We Are Waterloo, an economic business development support division, indicates that tech startups and tech giants are employing well over 30,000 technology professionals, and what is even more interesting is that Kitchener-Waterloo’s tech scene is now the second fastest growing market in all of North America, just behind Charlotte, North Carolina.

“It’s ‘all things tech’ here, that’s for sure,” says Christina Hackett, a local who manages a popular vape-shop in Waterloo.

She is only in her early 20s, has her own place, and enjoys the fact that she didn’t have to move to another city to secure work.

“I have a full-time job, thanks to all the tech companies,” she explains. “Our area is now a huge tech hub which is creating endless opportunities. I so am glad to work where I was born and raised. It’s a great place and everyone is so friendly. Even the nightlife is fun now and that never used to be case.”

Over in Kitchener, Lisa McDonald, who operates The Sign Depot, says the tech boom is very positive news.

“We make signs, all kinds of them, and tech businesses need them too,” she laughs. “Over the last few years we have definitely seen an increase in business with all the new tech ventures opening up. We love it and so do the locals: the big boom happening right now is awesome for the local economy.”

With a population of over 500,000, Kitchener-Waterloo is rapidly growing, and the area is only about an hour drive to downtown Toronto. Both cities, which have separate municipal governments, are located in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. The region also consists of Cambridge and the townships of Wellesley, Woolwich, Wilmot, and North Dumfries.

Kitchener-Waterloo has long been a unique community. The west area and the Mennonite lands were settled by people with German background from Pennsylvania, and the southern and river-based areas still resemble the Scottish-Celtic traditions from settlers over a century ago.

“Our community is rich and smart,” says Waterloo’s Mayor, Dave Jaworsky. “Waterloo is ‘Canada’s education city’ as we have three well-known institutions of higher learning here – The University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College – that all offer world-class programs. Each year hundreds of students graduate from these well-known institutions and tech companies here really appreciate the fact that they have access to a dynamic talent pool.”

Jaworsky says that growth is happening fast here. Next spring the region will have its own Light Rail Transit (LRT) system that will move more people around efficiently, and Uptown Waterloo will see more high-rise condominiums built.

“Uptown is going to see some changes and it’s for the better. We are building up and not out; we are going to intensify and we are not going to sprawl. Our Uptown will be very compact and will provide accessibility for everyone, and the streetscape will include LED lighting that can be changed for special occasions, just like the lighting at the CN Tower.”

Waterloo was recently awarded the Gold Level Bicycle-Friendly Community Designation from the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, and the city has already secured the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities Designation.

“Waterloo is a special place and it has plenty to offer people of all ages,” says Jaworsky. “It’s a dynamic place and people are down to earth and it’s a place that encourages lifelong learning that has helped reinvent who we are as a city.”

Berry Vrbanovic, who is Kitchener’s Mayor, is also excited to see all the growth happening.

“Our area has been blessed to have three amazing post-secondary institutions and this is playing a big role in helping shape out the tech and innovation sectors that continually evolve,” says Vrbanovic.

He says that development in Kitchener is happening because of all the new tech companies moving in. Lots of the abandoned manufacturing buildings and warehouses are now being transformed into office spaces for new businesses.

“The recession crushed our manufacturing industry, but it was a blessing in disguise,” he explains. “We are now embracing the tech trend and we are moving in a whole new direction… we are thriving and we want it to stay this way. The more companies we have here means more jobs and that’s great for the economy.”

Vrbanovic stresses that the transportation issue should be top of mind for everyone and addressed quickly. At present, there are four GO trains that depart in the morning to Toronto and four trains that come back in the evening.

“We need more GO trains to-and-from-Toronto,” he says. “I even like the idea of high-speed rail. Once we have our transportation problems solved, then it will brand the Kitchener-Waterloo-Toronto corridor as the Silicon Valley of Canada.”

Both mayors emphasize that living here is lots of fun too.

The region boats tons of craft breweries and distilleries, coffee shops, restaurants, farmers markets, and live theatre and performances year-round. The area also offers plenty of biking and walking trails for those who enjoy the outdoors, as well as sports and recreation facilities.

Some of the big notable events include the Kitchener-Waterloo Octoberfest, a nine-day annual festival that is billed as the second largest in the world. Then there is the TD Kitchener Blues Festival and the Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival. Throughout the year, the city hosts plenty of cultural events, and the local hometown pride is alive and well at all the Kitchener Rangers home games.

“The quality of life here is superb and you have so many great choices,” says Vrbanovic. “Our LRT will soon get you around and there is no shortage of things to do.”

Jaworsky echoes his view. “Here you can have an urban experience or a rural experience – it’s the best of both worlds that is affordable compared to other cities in the GTA. Our region is a great place and this is why our population is growing. We offer a great quality of life and we are just down the road from Toronto.”