Although mostly a farming community, Ayton has an arena (ice rink), community hall, recreation hall, elementary school (Normanby Community School), an LCBO Outlet in Granny's General store (ATM), Lutheran Church, ELCIC, Roman Catholic Church and several other businesses. The old water-powered mill, in the heart of the town, has a new career producing hydro for the grid instead of grist for the farmer. Ayton is the home of Fisher Poultry, Domm Construction, Germania Mutual Insurance, Trixie Saloon, Weppler Farm Machinery Ltd. repairing older farm and construction equipment and sales of new smaller shortline equipment, and Filsingers Organic Foods with 100 acres of orchards and a store with a selection of health foods, some of several major industries in West Grey.