City of Brantford highlights 2024 achievements in Economic Development, Tourism and Culture

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Brantford City Hall

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford is pleased to share the Economic Development, Tourism and Cultural Initiatives 2024 Year in Review, offering a comprehensive overview of the key performance indicators across sectors that drive Brantford’s local economy. The report highlights achievements in business investments, construction activity, tourism, film production, and other areas that contribute to Brantford’s continued growth.

Prepared annually, the Year in Review report serves as a valuable resource for community organizations, business leaders and investors. The report helps showcase Brantford’s successes and ongoing investments while promoting the City’s strategic location and advantages to attract investors, and to retain and recruit talent.

“The Economic Development, Tourism, and Cultural Initiatives Department helps promote all the great things that Brantford has to offer and create a city that our residents, visitors and investors are confident in,” says Joe Muto, Director of Economic Development, Tourism and Cultural Initiatives. “Our 2024 Year in Review highlights the successful year we had in 2024 and the strong foundation we’ve built. We anticipate the positive momentum to continue in the first two quarters of 2025.”

In 2024, Brantford experienced strong economic growth driven by significant business investments, a growing tourism sector, and strategic municipal investment. Some key highlights from the 2024 Year in Review include:

  • Several companies expanded their manufacturing facilities resulting in $132 million in construction value and 712,582 square feet of new or expanded floor space.
  • A new Municipal Accommodation Tax, which is collected on hotel, motel, B&B and short-term accommodations in Brantford, grossed $616,976 in the first year to be reinvested in tourism projects such as the Brantford Beats & Eats festival.
  • Sport tourism events increased to 81 events, the majority of which were multi-day which often encouraged overnight hotel stays in the city.
  • Attendance at Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts events and performances increased by 25 per cent.
  • Attendance at the Brantford Farmers’ Market increased by 20 per cent.
  • A new Economic Development Strategy for 2024-2031 was approved.

In early 2025, the economic landscape was deeply impacted by new tariffs from the United States and the resulting uncertainty in trade relations. However, several achievements in 2024 indicate that a resilient foundation is in place, including strong workforce development initiatives, investment in local businesses, and a growing local market for tourism.

To view the 2024 Year in Review, visit AdvantageBrantford.ca.

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Media Contact:

Chelsey Tobin | Tourism Marketing Specialist, Economic Development, Tourism & Cultural Initiatives
City of Brantford | 519-759-4150 ext. 5048 | ctobin@brantford.ca