This week’s round-up of business news features the launch of the Million Dollar Makeover building improvement grant and loan program in the City of Kawartha Lakes, the naming of the Haass family as 2018 Farm Family of the Year, a donation by TD Canada Trust to the TRACKS Youth Program, the Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Centre in the renovated Bata Library at Trent University, and the five finalists of the Cubs’ Lair youth entrepreneurial competition.
Also featured are the winners of the Pitch It! entrepreneurial competition, the planned opening of the new Boardwalk Cafe in downtown Peterborough this December, a roundtable discussion of the new United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, the Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group’s annual giveaway of Christmas trees in Lindsay to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre recommending Ontario Arts Council funding for playwrights.
New regional business events added this week include the Lindsay Chamber and MicroAge’s business networking event on November 21st, the Bobcaygeon Chamber’s annual general meeting on November 27th, the Peterborough Chamber’s Business Summit in on November 28th, the Port Hope Chamber’s coffee break with MPP David Piccini on November 30th, the Haliburton Highlands Chamber’s breakfast and networking event with MP Jamie Schmale on December 4th, and the Kawartha Chamber’s holiday social at Kawartha Lakes Construction on December 12th.
Million Dollar Makeover launches in the City of Kawartha Lakes
The City of Kawartha Lakes has launched its Million Dollar Makeover, a funding program to support property and business owners in improving the commercial, mixed-use, or heritage designated residential buildings.
Over $1 million in financial incentives are available through loan and grant programs for eight types of improvement projects: updating signage and façades, building repairs and renovations, accessibility improvements, heritage conservation, installing outdoor art and patios, and costs to prepare high quality design studies for large projects.
Loans are available to property and business owners across the City of Kawartha Lakes, at a low interest rate over a five-year term.
Matching fund grants for 50 per cent of eligible costs are available to properties within the downtown areas that completed a downtown revitalization project (Lindsay, Omemee, Coboconk, Norland, and Fenelon Falls). The grants are available for signage and façade and building repair and renovations.
The first year of a multiyear strategic community improvement plan, the Million Dollar Makeover is funded by the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation, the Province of Ontario, and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Applications are open until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday January 17, 2019. For more information and to begin the application process, visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/makeover for more information and to begin the application process.
The Haass family is 2018 Farm Family of the Year
The Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture (PCFA) and the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce have announced the 2018 Farm Family of the Year: the Haass family, of 3275 Wallace Point Road in Otonabee Township.
The Haass family has been operating their 1,600-acre farm in Peterborough County since 1969. Over the years, they have focused on a variety of farming types, including dairy, cash crops, and beef, and now harvest winter wheat, beans, and corn. They recently expanded into custom work, spraying, and trucking in the area surrounding Peterborough, and also provide hydraulic service to local farmers and businesses.
The Haass family is actively involved in volunteering in the farming community, including service on the PCFA Board of Directors, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and the Peterborough Agricultural Society. The family has hosted both the Peterborough County Plowing Match and the PCFA’s annual barbeque on two occasions. They are regular participants in the annual Plowing Match as well as in parades in Peterborough, Millbrook, and Keene.
The award will be presented to the Haass family at the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture Annual Banquet on Friday, November 23rd, at the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building at Lang Pioneer Village Museum (104 Lang Road, Keene). For tickets, call Karen Jopling at PCFA at 705-927-5677.
TD Canada Trust donate $8,344 to the TRACKS Youth Program
On behalf of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, staff at the Chemong branch of TD Canada Trust have donated $8,344 to the TRACKS Youth Program for its G’Chi-Nibi (Sacred Water) project.
The main purpose of the TRACKS project is to promote education about and appreciation for water in the greater Peterborough area. For this project, TRACKS will deliver education on the topic of water at two outreach events, three PA day camps, a March break camp program, and a World Water Day celebration event. All activities will be offered free of charge, and the PA day and March Break activities will be offered in First Nations communities.
The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (FEF) is a national charity dedicated to funding grassroots environmental projects in communities across Canada. Since 1990 years, TED FEF has provided over $89 million to more than 26,000 environmental projects and programs in communities across Canada, including $1.5 million to over 600 projects in the Peterborough area.
Renovated Bata Library at Trent University hosts Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Centre
The renovated Bata Library at Trent University, which held a grand opening on Friday (November 16), is now a host of the Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Centre located within the library.
The centre is a collaborative initiative of the university, FastStart Peterborough, and the Innovation Cluster Peterborough & the Kawarthas.
Located at the library’s main entrance of the Bata Library, the centre will support Trent students who are interested in become entrepreneurs. Braden Clark, innovation specialist from the Innovation Cluster, will be on site every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The centre will also be offering skills training, workshops, and other events in the future.
Five finalists announced for Cubs’ Lair youth entrepreneurial competition
FastStart Peterborough, the Innovation Cluster, and the Trent Youth Entrepreneurship Society have announced the five finalists for the Cubs’ Lair youth entrepreneurial competition.
Jeremy Brooks (AVROD), Dylan Trepanier (Alexander Optical), Cody Cameron and Joshua Williams (Devout Fitness), Mariah Eshkakogan and Madawi Abunayyan (Grand Najd) and Dillon Ahola (We) will compete to win the grand prize valued at more than $10,000 beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 22nd at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough).
The business ideas range from virtual reality innovation and mobile apps to an apparel line that promotes inclusivity. The top finalists have prepared for the event through prior workshops held by the Innovation Cluster to form skills from leadership to pitching, which they will be able to convey at the event to the judges.
The panel of judges include Helen Smith, Controller at Part Time CFO Services, and Jenn Olauson, Dean of Business at Fleming College), with two more judges to be announced.
The top finalist will win a grand prize value at more than $10,000, including incubator space at the Cluster, coaching and mentoring from established startups, and more.
Winners of the Pitch It! entrepreneurial competition announced
Four student teams each took home $500 at the fourth annual Pitch It! entrepreneurial competition held last Thursday (November 15) at Fleming College’s Sutherland campus in Peterborough.
The four winning teams were Joao Borges and Emily Scott (clean technology and agriculture), Nolan Maguire (trades and retail), Caelan Booth (information technology and digital), and Jordan Moody (secondary school).
Hosted by FastStart Peterborough, 12 student groups from Trent University, Fleming College, and local high schools competed in a Dragons’ Den style competition where they pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges in one of four categories: clean technology and agriculture, trades and retail, information technology and digital, and (new this year) secondary school.
Boardwalk Cafe opening in downtown Peterborough in December
The new Boardwalk Cafe at 261 George Street in downtown Peterborough is expected to open in December.
Brothers Dylan and Connor Reinhart have been running the Boardwalk Board Game Lounge for almost two years, hosting public board game events in partnership with local businesses (including Beard Free Brewing) and community organizations.
The cafe will be the business’s permanent location, featuring a board game collection comprising more than 300 titles along with food and drink (Dylan Reinhart is a certified chef who worked most recently at The Riverhouse Co. in Lakefield).
After paying a small cover fee, customers can play any of the games for as long as they want.
The cafe is located beside Riley’s, at the location previously occupied by the Sweet Spirits dessert bar.
New United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement discussed at Peterborough Chamber roundtable
Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef co-hosted a roundtable discussion with the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber’s offices in downtown Peterborough on Friday (November 16) to discuss the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Attendees included representatives from local industry and manufacturing, as well as local economic development organizations including the Innovation Cluster and Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development.
Once ratified by the governments of the three countries, the USMCA will replace the existing North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The three countries are expected to sign the deal at the G20 meeting in Argentina at the end of November.
Recent developments that may threaten ratification of the deal in the U.S. include objections from the Democrats, who now control Congress following the U.S. mid-term elections and want to see stronger protections against pollution and climate change, as well as improved labour standards in Mexico and assurances the deal can be enforced. In addition, a group of 40 Republicans are protesting new protections for LGBTQ workers that Canada insisted be included in the agreement.
Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group giving away Christmas trees in Lindsay to support Big Brothers Big Sisters
Local home and auto insurance company The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group has announced its annual Christmas tree giveaway.
The company will be giving away a total of 150 Christmas trees to families in Lindsay, Alexandria, and Perth (50 trees in each community) on Saturday, December 1st, in exchange for a cash donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The Commonwell will match all public donations, up to $1,500 in each of the three regions, to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations in Lanark County and Kawartha Lakes – Haliburtan and Cornwall and District.
Trees will be given away on a first-come first-served basis. In Lindsay, the trees will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (or while supplies last) on Saturday, December 1st at The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group (336 Angeline St. S., Lindsay).
4th Line Theatre in Millbrook will be recommending Ontario Arts Council funding for playwrights
Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre will be recommending playwrights to receive funding of between $1,000 and $5,000 to develop new works through the Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators program of the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), an agency of the Ontario government which is the primary funding body for professional arts activities in the province.
Ontario-based professional theatre artists and artists’ collectives are eligible to apply by the closing date of January 18, 2019.
4th Line Theatre will administer the granting program with the primary goal of supporting as many worthy regional projects as possible. As a secondary priority, the theatre company will also be looking for projects that align with its artistic mandate of preserving Canadian cultural heritage through the development and presentation of regionally based, environmentally staged historical dramas.
Special consideration will be given to culturally diverse artists and collectives, artists living with a disability, and regional playwrights.
Applications are submitted through the OAC website. After the application deadline, 4th Line Theatre’s managing artistic director Kim Blackwell will review the applications and make a recommendation to OAC for funding. Grant amounts will be determined by the number of approved applicants and the funds available from the program.
For more information and to submit an application, visit www.arts.on.ca/grants/recommender-grants-for-theatre-creators.
Kawartha Family Business Group cannabis and the workplace seminar in Peterborough on November 19
The Kawartha Family Business Group (KFBG) is hosting “Weed and the Workplace” from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 19th at the Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough).
Chris Russell, Partner at LLF Lawyers, and Matthew Savino, Managing Partner and Senior Consultant at Savino Human Resources Partners, will discuss Bill C-45 and its implications and challenges for the workplace, including how to spot impairment and respond appropriately, the use of medical marijuana in the workplace, and updating workplace policies.
A question and answer period will follow.
Admission is free for KFBG Members and $75 per family for non-members. To reserve a ticket or for more information, email Michelle O’Neill at michelle@maxcommunication.ca or Jhane Brasier at jhane@maxcommunication.ca.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Funding Forum in Peterborough on November 20
The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Funding Forum takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20th in the lower level of VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Co-hosted by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development and the Innovation Cluster, the event will bring together a variety of business funding programs under one roof.
There will be networking and a trade show in the morning, which will also feature two panel discussions on “Angel Investment for Startups” and “Overcoming Financial Challenges in Growing Your Business, followed by more networking and a trade show in the afternoon.
The event is free and light refreshments will be available. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/peterborough-the-kawarthas-funding-forum-2018-tickets-50645305472.
Peterborough DBIA Breakfast Network with John Hucks on November 21
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is hosting its monthly Breakfast Network from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 21st at Empress Gardens (131 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
This month’s guest speaker is John Hucks, founding member of the Peterborough Immigration Partnership, who will be speaking about the value and untapped potential of newcomers and international students in Peterborough.
Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. with the guest speaker at 8 a.m.
Tickets are $5 at the door. The Breakfast Network is open to everyone.
Note: There will be no Breakfast Network in December, with the next meeting scheduled for January 16, 2019.
Lindsay Chamber and MicroAge host business networking event in Lindsay on November 21
The Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce and MicroAge are hosting a business networking event from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21 at Pie Eyed Monk Brewery (8 Cambridge St. N., Lindsay).
The evening of networking, mingling, and oven-fired pizza is a great opportunity to meet new business owners in Lindsay.
Cubs’ Lair entrepreneurship competition final pitch in Peterborough on November 22
The final pitch event for the 2018 Cubs’ Lair entrepreneurship competition takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 22nd at the Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough).
An initiative of FastStart Peterborough, the Innovation Cluster, and the Trent Youth Entrepreneurship Society, Cubs’ Lair gives entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 29 the chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes.
At the final pitch event, a panel of established business professionals will test the top five competitors’ knowledge of how they will grow the business and judge the best pitch.
Tickets are free, but seating is limited and only a few tickets are left. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/cubs-lair-entrepreneurship-competition-2018-tickets-51587364195
Seminar in Peterborough on emerging issues in human resources law on November 27
Local consulting firm Laridae is hosting a free seminar on emerging issues in human resources law at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 27th at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
The seminar, exclusively for local non-profit and public sector leaders in Peterborough, will feature guest presentations from Kingston-based law firm Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP.
The spotlight will be on the latest in workplace issues, including cannabis, the #MeToo movement, and employee terminations.
The seminar is free to attend and will include a continental breakfast. For more information and to RSVP, visit laridaemc.com/workshops.
Bobcaygeon Chamber holding annual general meeting on November 27
The Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27th at the Bobcaygeon Service Centre (123 East St. S., Bobcaygeon).
Join the Chamber for a review of 2018 and to find out what’s being planned for 2019.
Light refreshments will be included.
Peterborough Chamber hosts Business Summit in Peterborough on November 28
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting Business Summit 2018, a half-day conference focused on strengthening business, from 7 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 28th at Ashburnham Funeral Home (840 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
The summit will include opening remarks from Peterborough Mayor-elect Diane Therrien, who will then participate in a panel discussion on planning for the future along with Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty and Dave Haacke of DNS Realty.
Attendees can then participate in two of four workshops: “Challenges, Opportunities, and Innovations” on the labour shortage or “Building a Cyber Resilient Business” and “Digitize Now – Transforming Your Business” or “Building a Marketing Plan”.
The cost is $25 for Chamber members or $35 for non-members, and includes a breakfast buffet.
For more details on the workshops and to register, visit peterboroughoncoc.wliinc20.com/events/Business-Summit-2018-637/details.
Port Hope Chamber hosts coffee break event with MPP David Piccini on November 30
The Port Hope Chamber of Commerce is hosting a coffee break event with Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini from 12 to 1 p.m. on Friday, November 30th in the council chambers at Port Hope Town Hall (56 Queen St., Port Hope).
MP Paccini will be updated Chamber members on the repeal of Bil 148 and Bill 47, the new “Making Ontario Open for Business Act”.
This free event is only open to Chamber members.
Haliburton Highlands Chamber hosts breakfast and networking event with MP Jamie Schmale on December 4
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber Chamber of Commerce is hosting a breakfast and networking event with Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schamle from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4th at Camp Medeba (1270 Kennisis Lake Rd., West Guilford).
The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members.
Space is limited and registration closes on Thursday, November 29th. Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07efug72to7394034b
Kawartha Chamber holiday social at Kawartha Lakes Construction on December 12
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its Business After Hours Holiday Social from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12th at Kawartha Lakes Construction (3359 Lakefield Rd., Lakefield).
As part of the event, the team at Kawartha Lakes Construction will be again be running their employee contest for do-it-yourself Christmas trees, where they challenge staff to come up with creative Christmas trees and have guests vote on their favourite.
Kawartha Lakes Construction will also be collecting toys for the Lioness Club Toy Drive, as well as non-perishable food items for the Lakefield Food Bank.
