Area Information

London Ontario, is an ever growing city and holds a strategic geographical position within Southwestern Ontario. With urban centres Toronto, Windsor, Detroit, Buffalo and Cleveland within a 200km radius, London's central position and ease of access through superhighway 401, rail, or the London International Airport, is bringing in big business. Living up to its name, The Forest City is filled with natural beauty from its many parks, preserved forests, the Thames River and greenery throughout the city and downtown core. This ever growing dynamic city is host to year round festivals, national and international sport and entertainment events, and over 70 golf courses to enjoy. Most importantly, London offers a skilled workforce, world class health and educational facilities, dynamic industry and a strong committment to business growth. London Ontario offers a world of opportunity.

Our Labour Force

• Skilled manufacturing workers make up 14.1% of our total labour force.
• One in five Londoners over age 25 is a university graduate.
• At least 71.2% of London residents have pursued post-secondary education compared to the national average of 50.7%
• The Life Science sector employs 6.8% of London's total labour force

Our Location

• London is the geographic center of Southwestern Ontario, within a day's drive of 150 million people.
• We are less than a two hour drive from Windsor/Detroit, Toronto, and Buffalo.
• We are strategically located on the NAFTA superhighway at the junction of Highway 401 and Highway 402.
   

Our Transportation Infrastructure

• London International Airport offers direct, regularly scheduled service to a growing number of Canadian and U. S. metropolitan locations with connecting flights to destinations around the world, and now is the 11th busiest airport in Canada.
• Via Rail's London passenger terminal is the fourth busiest terminal stop in Canada and local businesses and industries enjoy excellent rail freight service.
   

Our Health Care Facilities

• London is recognized as one of the premier medical centers in the world and is home to world-class health care and medical research facilities.
• Three teaching hospitals and two of the country's largest research institutes keep London on the leading edge of innovation. 
• More than $80 million is spent in London each year on basic and applied research.
   

Our Educational Institutions

• London's University of Western Ontario is home to one of Canada's top ranked Universities for the second year in a row.
• More than 88,000 students come to London each year to pursue post-secondary studies at the University of Western Ontario, Fanshawe College and more than 30 registered private Vocational Schools.
   

Our Research Facilities

• The Virtual Environment Technologies Centre at the Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (IMTI) is the most advanced virtual reality center of its kind in the world.
• The Department of Engineering at the University of Western Ontario works closing with research groups focused on manufacturing.
• The London Biotechnology Commercialization Centre (LBCC) at the University of Western Ontario works with entrepreneurs by providing state-of-the-art physical space, business management and an array of technical support.
   

Our Industrial Strength

• Four major automotive manufacturers and more than 30 major auto parts suppliers within 60 kms of London.
• The London region added over 3,000 new manufacturing jobs in 2002.