Editing Kitchener, Ontario (section)

==Economy==
{{see also|Economy of Ontario}}
[[File:Downtown Kitchener, Ontario 2.jpg|thumb|right|Benton and Frederick Streets (the name changes at the intersection with King Street in the foreground) form one of the most important corridors for traffic and public transit routes entering Downtown Kitchener.]]
[[File:Tannery building Kitchener Ontario 1.jpg|thumb|right|Former Lang Tannery building, now used as hub for digital media companies]]
[[File:MarketSquare-Frederick&KingStE-Kitchener.jpg|thumb|right|Market Square, on the corner of Frederick St. and King St. East]]

Kitchener's economic heritage is rooted in manufacturing. Industrial artifacts are in public places throughout the city as a celebration of its manufacturing history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/IndustrialArtifacts.asp |title=City of Kitchener – Industrial Artifacts |publisher=City of Kitchener |access-date=6 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911200210/http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/IndustrialArtifacts.asp |archive-date=11 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> While the local economy's reliance on manufacturing has decreased, in 2012, 20.36% of the labour force was employed in the manufacturing sector.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/resources/2011_01_Fast_Facts.pdf |title=Fast facts about Kitchener |publisher=City of Kitchener |access-date=6 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108210848/http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/resources/2011_01_Fast_Facts.pdf |archive-date=8 November 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The city is home to four municipal business parks: the Bridgeport Business Park, Grand River West Business Park, Huron Business Park and Lancaster Corporate Centre. The largest, the Huron Business Park, is home to a number of industries, from seat manufacturers to furniture components.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/resources/2011_01_Fast_Facts.pdf |title=City of Kitchener |publisher=City of Kitchener |access-date=6 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108210848/http://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/resources/2011_01_Fast_Facts.pdf |archive-date=8 November 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Some of the notable companies headquartered in Kitchener include: [[Waterloo Brewing Company]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://waterloobrewing.com/contact |website=Waterloo Brewing |publisher=Waterloo Brewing LTD |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref> [[D2L]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Contacts & Locations |url=https://www.d2l.com/about/locations/ |website=D2L |publisher=D2L Corporation |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref> [[Vidyard]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://www.vidyard.com/contact/ |website=Vidyard |publisher=Buildscale, Inc |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref> and [[ApplyBoard]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact Us |url=https://www.applyboard.com/contact |website=ApplyBoard |publisher=ApplyBoard Inc. |access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref>

Kitchener's economy has diversified to include new high-value economic clusters. In addition to Kitchener's internationally recognized finance and insurance and manufacturing clusters, digital media and health science clusters are emerging within the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/economicdevelopmentstrategy.asp |title=City of Kitchener |publisher=City of Kitchener |access-date=6 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904003045/http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/EconomicDevelopmentStrategy.asp |archive-date=4 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Beginning in 2004, the City of Kitchener launched several initiatives to re-energize the downtown core. These initiatives included heavy investment, on behalf of the city and its partners, and the creation of a [[Downtown Kitchener Action Plan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/BuildingADynamicDowntown.asp |title=City of Kitchener |publisher=City of Kitchener |access-date=6 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831000039/http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/BuildingADynamicDowntown.asp |archive-date=31 August 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The modern incarnation of its historic farmers’ market, opened in 2004. The Kitchener Market is one of the oldest consistently operating markets in Canada. The Kitchener Market features local producers, international cuisine, artisans, and craftspeople.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitchenermarket.ca/ |title=Kitchener Market |publisher=Kitchener Market |access-date=6 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830141647/http://www.kitchenermarket.ca/ |archive-date=30 August 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In 2009, the City of Kitchener began a project to reconstruct and revitalize the main street in Kitchener's downtown core, [[Waterloo Regional Road 15|King Street]]. In the reconstruction of King Street, several features were added to make the street more friendly to pedestrians. New lighting was added to the street, sidewalks were widened, and curbs were lowered. [[Bollard|Movable bollards]] were installed to add flexibility to the streetscape, accommodating main street events and festivals. In 2010, the redesigned King Street was awarded the International Community Places Award for its flexible design intended to draw people into the downtown core.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livablecities.org/awards/2010-design-awards|title=2010 Design Awards|publisher=International Making Cities Livable|access-date=6 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603061311/http://www.livablecities.org/awards/2010-design-awards|archive-date=3 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2009, Tree Canada recognized King Street as a ''green street''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treecanada.ca/news/05-29-2008.htm|title=Tree Canada announces Green Streets Canada 2008/09 Winners|publisher=Tree Canada|access-date=6 September 2012}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=Artix Kreiger 2 |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The redesigned King Street features several environmentally sustainable elements such as new street trees, bike racks, planter beds that collect and filter storm water, street furnishing made primarily from recycled materials, and an improved waste management system. The street was reconstructed using recycled roadway and paving stones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/KingStreetMasterPlan.asp|title=City of Kitchener – The New King Street|publisher=City of Kitchener|access-date=6 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029095456/http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/KingStreetMasterPlan.asp|archive-date=29 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In September 2012, the [[City of Toronto government]] used Kitchener's King Street as a model for Celebrate Yonge – a month-long event which reduced [[Yonge Street]] to two lanes, widening sidewalks to improve the commercial street for businesses and pedestrians.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metronews.ca/news/kitchener/357267/kitcheners-king-street-a-model-for-yonge-street-festival/|title=Kitchener's King Street a Model for Yonge Street Festival|publisher=Metro News|access-date=6 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904211302/http://metronews.ca/news/kitchener/357267/kitcheners-king-street-a-model-for-yonge-street-festival/|archive-date=4 September 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The groundbreaking ceremony for the [[University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy]] and downtown health sciences campus took place on 15 March 2006, and the facility opened in spring 2009. The building is on King Street near Victoria Street, on the site of the old Epton plant, across the street from the Kaufman Lofts (formerly the Kaufman shoe factory). [[McMaster University]] later opened a satellite campus for its [[Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine]] next to the University of Waterloo's School of Pharmacy. The Health Sciences Campus has been central to the emergence of Kitchener's health science cluster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/UwHealthSciencesCampus.asp|title=City of Kitchener – UW Health Sciences Campus|publisher=City of Kitchener|access-date=6 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108215557/http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/UwHealthSciencesCampus.asp|archive-date=8 November 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2007, Cadan Inc., a Toronto-based real estate development company, bought what had been the Lang Tannery for $10&nbsp;million. Supported by the local government, Cadan repurposed the building for use by commercial firms. Since its refurbishment, the Tannery has become a hub for digital media companies, both large and small.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/property-report/kitchener-finds-its-new-groove-in-industrial-past/article4097776/|title=Kitchener Finds its Groove in Industrial Past|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=6 September 2012|access-date=6 September 2012|location=Toronto|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227024036/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/property-report/kitchener-finds-its-new-groove-in-industrial-past/article4097776/|archive-date=27 December 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Desire2Learn]], an e-learning company, in the Tannery as the company expanded. In 2011, [[Communitech]] moved into the Tannery. Home to over 800 companies, Communitech is a hub for innovative high-tech companies in the fields of information technology, digital media, biomedical, aerospace, environmental technology and advanced manufacturing. Also in 2011, high-tech giant [[Google Inc.]] became a tenant of the Tannery, furthering its reputation as a home for leading high-tech companies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetannery.ca/|title=The Tannery District|publisher=The Tannery District|access-date=6 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530082010/http://www.thetannery.ca/|archive-date=30 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Kitchener office is a large hub for the development for Google's Gmail application.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Google's Kitchener team plays key role in Gmail redesign|url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/google-s-kitchener-team-plays-key-role-in-gmail-redesign-1.2812751|website = www.cbc.ca|access-date = 2015-11-20|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151120205452/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/google-s-kitchener-team-plays-key-role-in-gmail-redesign-1.2812751|archive-date = 20 November 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> In 2016, the [[University of Waterloo]]-sponsored startup hub Velocity Garage<ref>{{cite web|url=http://velocity.uwaterloo.ca/workspaces/velocity-garage/|title=Velocity Garage|date=24 June 2015|website=Velocity.uwaterloo.ca|access-date=7 August 2018|archive-date=8 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808184442/http://velocity.uwaterloo.ca/workspaces/velocity-garage/|url-status=dead}}</ref> relocated to the building, bringing over 100 additional startup companies into the Tannery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://velocity.uwaterloo.ca/companies/|title=Company Directory|website=Velocity.uwaterloo.ca|access-date=June 9, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614011842/http://velocity.uwaterloo.ca/companies/|archive-date=14 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The Province of Ontario built a new provincial courthouse in downtown Kitchener, on the block bordered by Frederick, Duke, Scott and Weber streets. The new courthouse was expected to create new jobs, mainly for the courthouse, but also for other businesses, especially law offices.  The new courthouse construction began in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/RegionalCourthouse.asp?_mid_=7545|title=City of Kitchener – Regional Courthouse|publisher=City of Kitchener|access-date=6 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108215825/http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/RegionalCourthouse.asp?_mid_=7545|archive-date=8 November 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In the downtown area, several factories have been transformed into upscale lofts and residences. In September 2010, construction began on the ‘City Centre’ redevelopment project in downtown Kitchener. This redevelopment project will include condominium units, new retail spaces, private and public parking, a gallery, and a boutique hotel.<ref name="New Residential Developments">{{cite web|url=http://www.downtownkitchener.ca/living_downtown/newresidentialdevelopments/|title=New Residential Developments|publisher=Downtown Kitchener|access-date=6 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829173407/http://www.downtownkitchener.ca/living_downtown/newresidentialdevelopments|archive-date=29 August 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The former Arrow shirt factory has been converted into a luxury, high-rise apartment building, featuring loft condominiums.<ref name="New Residential Developments"/>

In 2012, Desire2Learn, in downtown Kitchener, received $80&nbsp;million in venture capitalist funding from [[OMERS|OMERS Ventures]] and [[New Enterprise Associates]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/desire2learn-finally-accepts-venture-investment/article4516924/|title=Desire2Learn finally accepts venture investment|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=4 September 2012|access-date=6 September 2012|location=Toronto|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906135756/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/desire2learn-finally-accepts-venture-investment/article4516924/|archive-date=6 September 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The downtown area was in a boom phase by late 2017, with $1.2&nbsp;billion in building permits for 20 new developments expected by the end of February 2019.  That would add 1,000 apartments and 1,800 condominium units. The City indicated that the development would be a "mixture of high-density residential buildings with ground-floor retail, and office buildings with ground-floor retail". Since the [[Ion rapid transit]] (light rail) system, operated by [[Grand River Transit]], was approved in 2009, "the region has issued $2.4&nbsp;billion in building permits within the LRT corridor".<ref>{{cite news | last = Pender | first = Terry | date = December 29, 2017 | title = Boom Time: $1.2 Billion in Building Permits Expected for Downtown Kitchener | url = https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8029390-boom-time-1-2-billion-in-building-permits-expected-for-downtown-kitchener/ | work = The Record | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180110184811/https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8029390-boom-time-1-2-billion-in-building-permits-expected-for-downtown-kitchener/ | archive-date = 10 January 2018 | df = dmy-all | access-date = 31 December 2017 }}</ref>