Forming the western side of Waterloo Region, Wilmot Township is made up of 14 communities with ample space to live, work and play.
Wilmot offers historic charm with modern conveniences. Known for its strong agricultural and industrial roots, the township has become a hub for growing businesses throughout the years. Meanwhile, its spacious, rural landscape makes for a quiet lifestyle and a quick commute to and from neighbouring cities and townships in Waterloo Region.
While the region’s three cities offer big-city benefits in small-city packages, the townships provide expansive room for business growth in communities with rich histories and scenic surroundings.
In this article, we’ll uncover what makes Wilmot unique and why it could be the right choice for your business expansion.
About Wilmot
Wilmot is nestled along the banks of the Nith River, where you’ll find scenic farmland and a growing population, with over 22,000 people making their home in Wilmot’s towns and villages, projected to grow to over 30,000 by mid-century.
New Hamburg and Baden are the township’s two largest communities, accommodating over 65% of the township’s current population and the majority of its future growth.
The rural settlements of St. Agatha, Petersburg, Mannheim, New Dundee, Philipsburg, Shingletown, Wilmot Centre, Haysville, Luxemburg, Lisbon, Sunfish Lake and Foxboro Green help round out the community of communities that make up Wilmot.
Wilmot is home to North America’s largest operating waterwheel in New Hamburg. The 50-foot wheel was constructed to honour the township’s industrial roots with water-powered mills along the Nith River.
The waterwheel also highlights the township’s connection to green energy as the birthplace and childhood home of Sir Adam Beck, founder of Ontario Hydro and visionary of Ontario’s role in the provision of clean energy solutions for a growing economy.
Wilmot offers pre-existing and build-to-suit industrial land opportunities located close to multiple transportation options. CN Rail runs through the cores of Baden and New Hamburg providing rail access to surrounding regions.
Located along provincial Highway 7/8 and the CN railway, the township is less than a 20-minute drive to the downtown cores of Kitchener and Waterloo and conveniently situated amongst the greater Southwestern Ontario transportation network. Grand River Transit provides bus services to and from Baden and New Hamburg.
Over 65% of Wilmot Township’s residents live in New Hamburg and Baden.
Big Brands and Hometown Successes
Wilmot’s business landscape is diverse, with success stories emerging from the transportation, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
Located in New Hamburg, Ontario Drive & Gear (ODG) is a leader in the design and manufacture of gears and transmissions. Founded in 1962, the company has grown to support manufacturers across North America. ODG operates two facilities in New Hamburg with more than 100 employees working in 140,000 square feet of state-of-the-art space.
Beyond gears and transmissions, ODG’s vehicle division produces the ARGO, a world leader in amphibious vehicles. First developed in 1967, Argo all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are known around the world for their ability to tackle any terrain, from swamps to deserts to everything in between.
Moving raw and finished food products from point A to point B is the mission of Erb Transport Ltd. Located in Baden, the company started as a one-person operation in 1959 and has grown to more than 1,500 employees and owner-operators. The company is a favourite among trucking professionals, being recognized as one of Canada’s Best Fleets to Drive for by the Truckload Carriers Association and Trucking HR Canada’s Top Fleet Employer.
Iron Bridge Fabrication relocated to their brand-new manufacturing facility in New Hamburg in 2020. The company is a leading designer, builder and installer of prefabricated bridges, highway bridges and other large-scale custom fabrication.
For a longer list of businesses in the region, visit our Business Directory.
Attractions & Amenities
Tourists and locals alike can discover history and beauty in the township’s unique communities.
Castle Kilbride, a popular attraction in Baden, was built in 1877 by flax industrialist James Livingston. Today, it’s a National Historic Site that offers tours, teas and other specialty events.
Car lovers unite just down the road in New Hamburg at Moparfest, the largest Mopar festival in Canada. The annual two-day celebration of all things Mopar attracts thousands of visitors to the township for a swap meet, vendors, games and more.
Wilmot celebrates its agricultural heritage each September with Wilmot Agricultural Society’s New Hamburg Fall Fair, one of the oldest Fall Fairs in Ontario.
New Hamburg is also home to the annual Mennonite Relief Sale and Quilt Auction, drawing thousands of visitors to sample traditional Mennonite foods from around the world and bid on hundreds of incredible quilts.
Castle Kilbride is a National Historic Site that offers tours, teas and other specialty events.
Discover Waterloo
From space for advanced manufacturing to sites for research and development, Wilmot offers community, transportation options and a beautiful rural setting. It’s also one of several exciting possible destinations to grow your business in Waterloo Region.
Waterloo Region is made up of three cities and four townships, all of which offer unique benefits for business expansion. Conveniently located along Canada’s 401 superhighway, it’s an ideal destination for manufacturing, automotive and technology companies looking for room to grow.
Contact us to learn more about how to locate, re-locate or expand your business in Waterloo.