By: Christian Collington, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca
Halton Hills council has approved a three-year contract with German-based CARO Investment Consulting GmbH to lead the town’s international investment attraction efforts through 2028.
According to the report presented at the Feb. 17 council meeting, the agreement, which allows the town to spend up to $120,000, is a key component of the town’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) strategy, which specifically targets high-growth sectors in Germany and the Netherlands.
The choice to focus on these two European markets, through the German firm, is deliberate, according to Graham Lowe, the town’s senior economic development officer.
“The focus on Germany and the Netherlands is deliberate, strategic and aligned with both local sector strengths and broader provincial and federal priorities,” Lowe said.
He further noted that the engagement reflects a strategic alignment between the town’s priority sectors — including advanced manufacturing, agribusiness and clean technology — and international trade agreements like the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Lowe added that “CETA significantly reduces trade barriers, making Canada — and by extension Halton Hills — an attractive North American gateway for European firms.”
When asked about what opportunities these specific markets offer the town, Lowe said Germany “offers world-class advanced manufacturing capability and leadership in clean technology and renewable energy innovation.”
He added that German firms are highly valued partners because they “often pursue long-term, stable market entry strategies and value skilled labour, strong infrastructure and stable regulatory environments.”
Lowe highlighted that the Netherlands “is one of the world’s most globally oriented economies and a major logistics and agri-food hub.”
He noted that Dutch expertise in “advanced greenhouse, agricultural technology and sustainability” aligns with the town’s focus on innovation and climate change priorities.
During the council meeting, Coun. D’Arcy Keene raised concerns regarding the lack of a competitive bidding process for the contract.
Lowe emphasized the specialized nature of the work noting that over the past three years, CARO has provided between 75 and 100 investment leads, with 15 to 20 potential investment projects currently active in the town’s pipeline.
Lowe also described the service as a “boutique, customized matching” process that delivers higher-quality investment leads than larger, transactional firms.
Damian Szybalski, the town’s commissioner of community services, clarified the town is not “locked in” to use and pay for the full three years; rather, the contract provides a “runway” that lets the town keep a steady long-term presence in those markets, while still retaining flexibility.
He added town staff will present detailed data on investment leads, active projects and results in the Invest Halton Hills report, expected in March.
The contract will be funded through the town’s existing Economic Investment Attraction Fund, with staff seeking federal grants to subsidize the cost.
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