‘Nice ring to it’: Innovation hub opens in Midland as ‘Route 93’
By: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: MidlandToday.ca, May 12, 2025
Route 93 might have a new name, but it’s full of familiar faces.
Rebranded from the Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe (or EDCNS), an official launch of Route 93 took place this week at its new innovation hub on the corner of Hugel Avenue and King Street in Midland.
“If you think about Highway 93, it brings everybody to North Simcoe and it’s inclusive of all of our communities,” said EDCNS chair Paul Marchildon. “Our purpose is not only to grow the businesses locally, but it’s also to attract innovation and bring new business to the area. We felt from an economic development perspective that it had a nice ring to it.”
The manufacturing sector was represented through Triumph North, True North Manufacturing, and Baytech Plastics. Midland Mayor Bill Gordon and Tay Township Mayor Ted Walker attended with other politicians on the EDCNS board. North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation also joined, along with the Midland Public Library.
Within the first minutes of the kickoff event, networking was already taking place. Integration analyst and I.T. manager Daniel Dickinson with Ambient Activity, a company building kiosks for seniors and long-term care homes, had connected with electronics engineer Stephen Makk of Makk Design.
Said Ron Neumann, vice chair of the EDCNS board: “We’re really bringing together a lot of resources, to help grow and build companies with a special focus on manufacturing, construction, tourism, and agriculture.”
Cathryn Love, director of the innovation hub, said that the location at 270 King Street in the heart of Midland’s downtown core was exciting. “I think there’s so much talent up here and there’s a lot of great businesses; we just need that opportunity and that space to connect, and that’s really what we’re hoping to bring with Route 93.”
Board member Trina Duguay represented Georgian Bay District Secondary School through her role with the business studies department, and looked forward to connecting students with local leaders and opportunities.
“When we organized events, developed programs, or tried to make connections for students in the past, it was very piecemeal,” said Duguay. “I think this hub will give us that venue where we can siphon all those types of activities and opportunities for students through one track. The resources that Route 93 will be able to provide for making these connections and giving students rich experiences is something that we’re also very much looking forward to.”