Skip to Content

Live: Council Webcast

  • Emergency Police, Fire, Medical Call: 9-1-1
  • MED After-Hours: 867-920-2737
  • A-Z Services

City of Yellowknife Logo City of Yellowknife Logo

Contact Us
  • Living Here
    • Animals
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Arts, Culture, and Heritage
    • Business Directory
    • Career Opportunities
    • Click and Fix YK
    • Community Programs
    • Composting
    • Construction
    • Contact Directory
    • Education
    • Elections
    • Environment
    • Events Calendar
    • Garbage
    • Health Services
    • Homelessness
    • Indigenous Peoples
    • Life Events
    • Manage Utility Tax Accounts
    • Parking
    • Pay All Tickets
    • Pingstreet Mobile App
    • Places of Worship
    • PlaceSpeak - Public Engagement Platform
    • Programs
    • Property Search
    • Property Taxes and Assessments
    • Public Library
    • Public Safety
    • Recycling
    • Roads and Transportation
    • Seniors
    • Slow Down Campaign
    • Snow Removal
    • Support and Wellness
    • Transit
    • Water and Sewer
    • Weather and Climate
    • World Council on City Data (WCCD)
    • Yellowknife Videos
  • Getting Active
    • Programs
    • Parks and Outdoors
    • Events
    • Facilities
  • Exploring Yellowknife
    • About Yellowknife
    • Arts, Culture, and Heritage
    • Aurora Forecast
    • Extraordinary Yellowknife
    • Farmers Market
    • Foodies
    • How to Get Here
    • GIS
    • Promotional Videos
    • Self Guided Tours
    • Shop Local Initiatives
    • Visitors Guide
    • Yellowknife Tourism Links
  • Doing Business
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Available Properties
    • Bids and Tenders
    • BizPaL
    • Business Directory
    • Business Resources and Services
    • Design Standards
    • Development Incentives
    • Economic Development Initiatives
    • Filming
    • Open Data
    • Planning and Development Initiatives
    • Promotional Campaigns
    • Property Taxes
    • Public Engagement
    • Short Term Rental Accommodation
    • Tourism Development
    • Trademarks
    • University
    • Water and Sewer
    • Why Yellowknife
    • World Council on City Data (WCCD)
  • City Government
    • About City of Yellowknife
    • Bids and Tenders
    • By-laws
    • Career Opportunities
    • City Budget
    • City Council and Mayor
    • Committees of Council
    • Community Grants
    • Community Organizations
    • Complaints
    • Contact Directory
    • Departments
    • Elections
    • Facility Hours and Locations
    • Media Room
    • Open Data
    • Policies
    • Public Notices
    • Reconciliation
    • Reports and Publications
    • Virtual City Hall
    • Volunteering
    • Webcast Video
    • World Council on City Data (WCCD)
    • Yellowknife 50th Anniversary
  • Newcomer
    • Education
    • Housing
    • Yellowknife Videos

Default Banner

Doing Business-Economic Development Initiatives

HomeDoing BusinessEconomic Development Initiatives
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

 Economic Development Strategy

 

The City of Yellowknife is committed to engaging our residents and businesses in growing and developing our community.

We support partnerships and initiatives that contribute to a diverse and vibrant local and regional economy, draw investment to Yellowknife and the NWT, and encourage new business and residents to join our growing and prosperous community. We enjoy working with local creative people and welcome your involvement in helping the City communicate better and enhancing our local economy.

The Economic Development Strategy is the result of learning from the past, using the knowledge of today and developing a vision for the future.  This vision sees Yellowknife as a city open for business, a diverse business community,  a dynamic, growing community and a talented and educated community.

City of Yellowknife's Economic Development Strategy 2020-2024

During deliberation of the 2019 Budget, Council approved the capital expenditure of $50,000 for the purpose of retaining  professional services to update the City of Yellowknife’s Economic Development Strategy that was completed in 2013.

To assist with development of the Strategy, Council established the Mayor's Task Force on Economic Development in May 2019. The Task Force provided feedback and direction throughout development of the Strategy. Interviews from a cross-section of key informants and a survey of local businesses were also conducted, the results of which helped inform the recommendations and priorities contained in the Strategy.

The purpose of the Economic Development Strategy 2020-2024 is to strengthen the economic base of the City and contribute to sustainable prosperity for residents and businesses.

At its meeting on April 14, 2020 Governance and Priorities Committee discussed a memorandum regarding whether to adopt for information the City of Yellowknife Economic Development Strategy 2020-2024. Committee recommended that Council adopt for information the City of Yellowknife Economic Development Strategy 2020-2024.

At its meeting on April 27, 2020 Council adopted for information the City of Yellowknife Economic Development Strategy 2020-2024.

At its meeting on March 22, 2021 Council adopted the proposed Implementation Plan for the recommendations arising from the City of Yellowknife Economic Development Strategy 2020–2024.

Downtown Revitalization Vision

On September 11, 2017 City of Yellowknife Council voted in favour to adopt A Downtown Revitalization Vision for Yellowknife. The Vision was initially presented to the Municipal Services Committee in a Memo on August 28.

Downtown Patio Incentives

 On June 19, 2017 City of Yellowknife Council passed Motion #0122-17 establishing a Downtown Patio Incentive and a Public Washroom Incentive.

Downtown Sidewalk Patios

  1. Applicant is issued a Downtown Sidewalk Patio Permit. 
  2. Applicant completes construction of the Sidewalk Patio.
  3. City of Yellowknife Planner conducts a site visit to confirm that the patio has been constructed in accordance with the issued Downtown Sidewalk Patio Permit.   
  4. Applicant submits proof of construction costs to the Department of Planning and Development
  5. Department of Planning and Development verifies construction costs and authorizes issuance of the grant.

Agriculture Strategy

 To find out more information on the City's Agriculture Strategy and other reports go to our Reports and Publications page and select Economic Development.

Wayfinding Strategy

To find out more information on the City's Wayfinding Strategy and other reports go to our Reports and Publications page and select Economic Development.

Joint Economic Development Strategy - City of Yellowknife and YKDFN

In December 2019, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) and the City of Yellowknife signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which solidified the government-to-government relationship between the neighbouring communities. In the past, the two organizations have collaborated on projects with no formal strategy in place. The Joint Economic Development Strategy is intended to guide shared economic development interests and provide a framework for the partnership to move forward.

The purpose of the strategy is to support the communities of Yellowknife, Dettah and Ndilo in their efforts to maximize future economic growth and prosperity, to develop this partnership for future collaboration, and to benefit the residents of these communities. This strategy acknowledges the short-term economic challenges of COVID-19, as well as discusses our prosperous shared future.

With the help of business and community input, YKDFN and the City have conducted public consultations to explore economic and business opportunities for the communities.

On March 22, 2021, Council adopted for information the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and City of Yellowknife Joint Economic Development Strategy and its Technical Report.

On April 25, 2022, Council adopted the proposed Implementation Plan for the recommendations arising from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and City of Yellowknife Joint Economic Development Strategy.

For more information, contact: Department of Economic Development and Strategy (EDS) at 867.920.5600 or ecd@yellowknife.ca 

Business Licence Fee Waiver

The City of Yellowknife is taking action to help local businesses and our economy recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City will waive business licence fees for all local businesses when renewing their business licence from November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023. 

 

Read some FAQs here. 

 

Apply online to waive your business licence fee or in person at the City Hall.

For more information, contact us at ecd@yellowknife.ca or 867.669.3424

2023 Street Pole Banner Public Artwork Program 

The submission period for the 2023 Old Airport Road Street Pole Banner Public Art Program is now closed. The selection panel is currently in the process of reviewing submissions. The City will be in contact with all artists who entered to inform them of the status of their submission shortly. 

The City would like to thank all artists for creating a diverse range of artwork while meeting the goals of adding vibrancy to our cityscape and creating a sense of place and identity.

More information on selected artworks will be announced in September.

Yellowknife Business Grants

The City of Yellowknife offers grant programs to local businesses when budgets allow or funding becomes available. In 2023 the City awarded $230,000 in COVID-19 Recovery funding to local businesses, festivals and events to help the economy recover.

At this time, all grant applications are closed as all funding has been awarded.

  • Economic Development Initiatives
    Toggle Section Economic Development Initiatives Menu
    • Foodies
    • I Love This City
    • Local Spending
  • View Full Doing Business Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Available Properties
      Toggle Section Available Properties Menu
      • City Land for Sale
        Toggle Section City Land for Sale Menu
        • Engle Business District Phase 2 Subdivision
        • 5050 Lot - Downtown Revitalization Opportunity
      • Yellowknife Properties for Sale
    • Bids and Tenders
      Toggle Section Bids and Tenders Menu
      • Login
      • Register Now
    • BizPaL
    • Business Directory
    • Business Resources and Services
      Toggle Section Business Resources and Services Menu
      • Business Links
      • Economic Development Initiatives
        Toggle Section Economic Development Initiatives Menu
        • Our Yellowknife Promotional Campaign
        • Tourism Development
      • Licensing
    • Design Standards
    • Development Incentives
    • Filming
      Toggle Section Filming Menu
      • Filming Licence
      • Locations
    • Open Data
    • Planning and Development Initiatives
      Toggle Section Planning and Development Initiatives Menu
      • Active Transportation
      • Building By-law Review
      • Property Land for Sale
      • School Draw Parking and Gateway Node
      • Smart Growth Development Incentive Tax Abatement and Grant
      • Zoning By-law Review
    • Promotional Campaigns
      Toggle Section Promotional Campaigns Menu
      • Employee Profiles
      • Our Trailblazers
      • Our Yellowknife Campaign
      • Street Pole Banners
    • Property Taxes
    • Public Engagement
      Toggle Section Public Engagement Menu
      • PlaceSpeak - Public Engagement Platform
    • Short Term Rental Accommodation
    • Tourism Development
    • Trademarks
    • University
      Toggle Section University Menu
      • A Yellowknife University
      • Other Circumpolar Universities
      • University - Useful Links
      • University Post-Secondary Advisory Committee
    • Water and Sewer
    • Why Yellowknife
      Toggle Section Why Yellowknife Menu
      • 5 Reasons to Invest in Yellowknife
      • Fast Facts
      • Moving Here
      • Quality of Life
    • World Council on City Data (WCCD)

Contact Us

Subscribe to page updates

City of Yellowknife Footer logo

4807 - 52 Street, P.O. Box 580,
Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2N4
Tel: 867-920-5600

  • Living Here
  • Getting Active
  • Exploring Yellowknife
  • Doing Business
  • City Government
  • Newcomer
twitter:00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000

© 2022 City of Yellowknife

PrivacySitemapFeedbackIntranetContact UsHours of OperationCouncil Portal
By GHD Digital
Follow Us: View our Twitter Page View our Instagram Page View our Facebook Page View our YouTube Page

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.