This week we feature Long & McQuade in Peterborough raising funds for Five Counties Children’s Centre, Aclarus helping Cobourg become the first city in Canada to use ozone to treat wastewater, Ship Shape Service opening a new cafe in Buckhorn, a Workforce Development Board employer survey on newcomer recruitment and hiring, and upcoming regional business events.
Long & McQuade Peterborough raises $3,175 for Five Counties Children’s Centre
Long & McQuade Peterborough has raised $3,175 for Five Counties Children’s Centre.
The musical instrument retailer held a fundraising drive at its store at 129 Aylmer Street during November and December, when customers were encouraged to add a donation when they made a purchase.
Long & McQuade supports music therapy at hospital and programs across the country.
The funds will be used to provide music activities to children who receive life-changing services at Five Counties Children’s Centre, a children’s treatment centre serving Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland and Haliburton counties.
For more information on Long & McQuade Peterborough, visit www.long-mcquade.com/location/Ontario/Peterborough/.
Peterborough-based company Aclarus helps Cobourg become the first city in Canada to use ozone to treat wastewater
Peterborough-based company Aclarus Inc. continues to grow, having installed its innovative ozone system at Cobourg’s wastewater treatment plant in 2017 — making Cobourg the very first city in Canada to switch from chlorine to ozone for a safer and more sustainable solution.
Cousins Michael and Adam Doran co-founded Aclarus in 2012 with local investors to design and build advanced ozone systems for multiple markets. As of 2017, Aclarus has installed more than 600 systems in Canada and 10 other countries. Aclarus’ proprietary process treats water using ozone, which is 3000 times faster and 300 times stronger than chlorine, breaks down to oxygen, preserves healthy water minerals, and has no consumables.
Bill Peeples, the Manager of Environmental Services for the Town of Cobourg, says employees of the plant find the new automated ozone system more time-efficient and don’t need to worry about a chlorine leak or any health concerns while working.
“People are just looking for a reason to get rid of chlorine,” says Bill Peeples, Manager of Environmental Services for the Town of Cobourg. “Money is the main impediment for most cities and why they haven’t switched. The Aclarus system however, has improved the ozone solubility, so it’s a more efficient use of ozone. It also has a higher oxygen to ozone conversion rate, so it uses less electricity than traditional ozone units as well.”
Other communities are also exploring opportunities with Aclarus for both drinking and wastewater treatment, while Montreal is planning to install one of the largest ozone waste treatment plants in the world.
Alcarus is also working with First Nations communities, which often suffer from water quality issues. Currently in Ontario, 65 long-term drinking advisories for First Nation reserves are in effect and many are regularly under boil water advisories, as they require new or upgraded treatment systems and equipment. Seven reserves remain under do not consume advisories, with one being affected since 2006.
In 2017, Aclarus installed ozone systems at Wabauskang and North Spirit Lake First Nation Communities in northwestern Ontario with a partner company, and there are several more slated for this year.
Ship Shape Service opening new cafe in Buckhorn in May and is hiring
Ship Shape Service, a dockside interior boat cleaning service located in Buckhorn, is opening the new Lock Stop Cafe in Buckhorn on the May 24th long weekend.
Onwer Kelli Coon is hiring staff for the new cafe, as well as for the 2018 boating season. Her company is seeking an assistant manager/barista, a part-time kitchen preparation person, and two part-time cleaners and yard workers for boats and cottages.
If you’re interested, bring your resume to a hiring event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 3rd at 1919 Lakehurst Road in Buckhorn, where you can also learn more about the new cafe.
For more information, email coonscottagecare@yahoo.ca.
Ship Shape Service, a division of Coon’s Cottage Care, was one of the entrants of the 2017 Bears’ Lair entrepreneurial contest.
VIDEO: Ship Shape Service – 2017 Bears’ Lair Finalist (Goods & Services)
Survey seeks input from local employers on newcomer recruitment and hiring
The Workforce Development Board / Local Employment Planning Council is sponsoring a research project on newcomer employment that will produce locally relevant information to shape future programming in the city and county of Peterborough, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
Local for-profit and non-profit employers of any size are being asked to complete a brief anonymous survey before Monday, February 5th. The questions ask about employer recruitment and hiring experiences and needs. The survey can be completed at
www.surveymonkey.com/r/EmployersNewcomerProject.
“Newcomer employment integration is important to the economic success of our region,” says Jennifer Lamantia, CEO of the Workforce Development Board. “”The goal of this project is to document the successes and gaps in order to build the best possible system of supports for both employers and newcomers.”
There is also a separate survey of local newcomers, focused on their job search and employment experiences. Local communications firm Laridae is conducting the research project in consultation with employment services agencies, business organizations, and the New Canadians Centre, among others. The final report on the research project will be available later in 2018.
Workforce Development Board is a not-for-profit organization located in Peterborough and serving Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton. Founded in 1996, WDB is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development to provide labour market information, coordinate employment and training services, and engage employer communities.
Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting on January 30
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 111th Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, January 30th at 6 p.m. at The Woodlawn Inn (420 Division Street, Cobourg).
Members are invited to attend and hear an overview of the Chamber’s activities for the past year, including presentation of the Chamber’s audited year-end financial report. The 2018 Executive will be introduced, and elections will be held to fill the available seats on the Board of Directors.
Immediately following the AGM, there will be “The Chair’s Dinner”, featuring a four-course meal with wines to accompany each dish.
For more information, visit the Chamber’s website at nccofc.ca.
Coffee and conversation with Fleming College president Tony Tilly on January 30
The Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event called “Coffee and Conversation with the President” on Tuesday, January 30th at Fleming College’s Frost Campus (200 Albert St. S., Lindsay).
The event, which takes place from 8 to 9 a.m., features Dr. Tony Tilly, the retiring president of Fleming College, and Chamber president Mike Perry.
Dr. Tilly will be speaking on the topic of local skills and workforce development.
For more information and to register, visit www.lindsaychamber.com.
Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce open house on January 31
The Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an open house to kick off 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31st at the Chamber office (180 Kent St. W., Lindsay).
The celebration with the Chamber board and staff will include networking and refreshments in the Chamber’s refurbished office space. Members are encouraged to bring their most recent brochures or business cards to display.
For more information and to RSVP, visit www.lindsaychamber.com.
Upcoming business seminars at Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland: January 31, February 7, March 6
The Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland is hosting three upcoming seminars as part of its Advanced Seminar Series.
On Wednesday, January 31st from noon to 1:30 p.m., Peter Thomas will present a social media seminar. He will speak about developing a social media marketing plan, understanding your buyer persona, and tools for social media with a focus on business Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
On Wednesday, February 7th from 1:30 to 3 p.m., professional photographer Mike Gaudaur will present a product and business photography workshop. He will discuss set up and lighting for your product photos, how to make your photos effective for your online marketing, and taking professional-quality photos of yourself and your staff.
On Tuesday, March 6th from noon to 2 p.m., Peter Thomas will present a seminar on today’s online marketing environment. He will speak about what makes a good website, search engine optimation, content marketing, digital marketing plans, and more.
The cost is $10 for members of the Port Hope and Trent Hill chambers and $15 for non-members (cash only at the door). Advance registration is required to secure a space. Email bizhelp@northumberlandcounty.ca or call 905-372-9279.
Launch & Learn at Headwaters Community Farm & Education Centre in Cobourg on February 7
Headwaters Community Farm & Education Centre (3517 Rowe Rd, Cobourg) is hosting a “Launch & Learn” from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7th.
Owners Linda and Tony Armstrong are inviting representatives from organizations to find out more about corporate and wellness day retreats offered at the farm, which is located 10 minutes north of Highway 401 between Port Hope and Cobourg.
The preview includes a sampling of Headwaters’ food and mocktails, a tour of their activity and meeting facilities, a presentation about what the centre has to offer, and a choice of three sample workshops.
To reserve your complimentary spot, email info@headwatersfarm.ca by Wednesday, January 31st.
Nomination deadline for Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce 12th Annual Business & Community Achievement Awards – February 15
Nominations for the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s 12th Annual Business & Community Achievement Awards are open until 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 15th.
Award categories are Business Achievement, Customer First, Business, Customer First, Employee, Entrepreneur of the Year, Innovation & Creativity, New Business (1-3 years), Young Professional of the Year, Not-for-Profit of the Year, Skilled Trades & Industry, Tourism & Hospitality, and Highlander of the Year.
The awards gala will be held on Saturday, March 17th at Pinestone Resort (4252 Haliburton County Rd 21, Haliburton).
For more information and to download a nomination form, visit www.haliburtonchamber.com.
Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Annual General Meeting on February 21
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, February 21st, at The Village Inn (39 Queen St, Lakefield).
The meeting will include highlights from the past year, and the nominating committee will present the slate of directors for the coming year.
Networking and refreshments will begin at 5 p.m. The meeting will run from approximately 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, visit www.kawarthachamber.ca.
Peterborough Chamber “Power Hour” evening with elected officials returns on February 21
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Power Hour” — an evening with Peterborough’s elected officials — returns on Wednesday, February 21st.
The event takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m at The Venue in downtown Peterborough.
There will be a full hour of questions and answers with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, MPP Peterborough Jeff Leal, County of Peterborough Warden Joe Taylor, and City of Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett.
Tickets cost $65 for Chamber members and $75 for non-members (or $450 for a table of seven for members and $525 for non-members). HST will be added to the ticket price. Register here.
“Bridges Out of Poverty” workshop for employers on March 7
The City and County of Peterborough Social Services, along with Agilec, Employment Ontario, Employment Planning & Counselling, Fleming Crew Employment Centre, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge, are hosting a free workshop for employers on “Bridges out of Poverty”.
The Bridges out of Poverty fraemwork, which originated in the U.S. and has been adopted by other communities in Canada, aims to help people who grew up in poverty and educate the agencies who assist them. The workshop will provide information on the framework as well as the variety of financial incentives available for employers in the community. It will also provide information on understanding and retaining employees.
The free workshop takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7th at Agilec Peterborough office (Brookdale Plaza, 863 Chemong Rd, Unit 20-A). Refreshments will be served.
Space is limited. Register at bridgesforemployers.eventbrite.ca.
