A global outsourcing company currently based in Newmarket will be picking up stakes and moving its head office to downtown Barrie by next June.
Mayor Jeff Lehman told a breakfast meeting of local business leaders on Wednesday that Bill Gosling Outsourcing will be taking two floors of a large office building at 90 Collier Street.
In a news release, the City says the company employs 900 staff from their head office location, and 240 in-office employees will be at the Barrie site at any time while the rest will work hybrid. The organization also supports a positive employee experience including a yoga room, onsite gym, games room and massage services.
"It's a huge announcement for our economy and especially our downtown," Lehman told Barrie 360. "This will be one of, if not, the largest employers in downtown Barrie."
Lehman saved the news to the tail end of his speech that highlighted his 12 years in the mayor's chair.
The mayor says the choice to move the head office downtown is very significant.
"I think it sends a message to many other businesses that this company which could operate anywhere in the world is choosing Barrie, and not just that, choosing downtown Barrie."
Lehman added that Gosling chose downtown Barrie because it's a people business.
"They have a large workforce, and they want that workforce to be able to enjoy our environment, our shops and services, our patios, restaurants or coffee shops, and our waterfront. It's a selling feature to help attract employees, and that's really wonderful to hear about a downtown that we've worked on for years."
Lehman is in his waning days as mayor.
Ward councillors and mayor-elect Alex Nuttall will be sworn in at city council's inaugural meeting on Wednesday, Nov.16 for a four-year term of office.
Banner image: Mayor Jeff Lehman attends the Barrie Business Progress Breakfast on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022
