This week’s round-up of business news includes a new butcher shop called Sweet Beast opening in Peterborough’s East City, 45 tech startups receiving almost $1 million in seed funding, Hastings Highlands entering into a deal for a cannabis production facility, the announcements that Payless Shoe Source and Home Outfitters retail stores in Peterborough are closing this year, the opening of nominations for the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce 2019 Business Excellence Awards, Showplace Performance Centre’s new partner program with selected downtown Peterborough restaurants, and both the City of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County councils approving their municipalities’ 2019 budgets.
New regional business events added this week include Community Futures Peterborough hosting an Ignite100 information session on February 25th in Peterborough, Venture13 hosting a Fresh Food Mapathon on March 2nd in Cobourg, Kawartha Lakes Arts Council hosting a copyright workshop for creators on March 6th in Janetville, and the City of Kawartha Lakes hosting a public open house on downtown Lindsay reconstruction on March 7th in Lindsay.
A new butcher shop called Sweet Beast is opening in Peterborough’s East City
If you like your heritage vodka with a side of heritage pork, you’re in luck.
A new butcher shop is opening in Peterborough’s East City, in the same plaza as from Black’s Distillery.
Sweet Beast Fine Meats & Fish is located at 95 Hunter St. E., the storefront previously occupied the Heads of Hair salon.
The space is currently being renovated and the shop is expected to open by early spring.
kawarthaNOW has learned the new business is owned by Grant Slavin, the former head butcher at the Community Butcher Shop in downtown Peterborough (which closed in 2017 after two years of operation).
While they haven’t posted anything yet, you can follow Sweet Beast on Instagram @sweetbeastbutchershop.
More than 40 area tech startups receive almost $1 million in seed funding from N1M-2 program
In December 2019, FedDev Ontario invested $1.1 million in Northumberland CFDC to exapnd the N1M program, which provides high-potential idea and validation stage start-ups with seed funding, training, and mentoring to help accelerate the growth of their businesses.
The N1M-2 program matches private investment of up to $30,000. The performance-based seed funding is non-dilutive, meaning that the founders do not have to give up any equity in their companies in return for the funding.
Of the 45 funded startups, 24 per cent are based in Northumberland County, 22 per cent are based in rural eastern Ontario, and 12 per cent are based in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Green tech startups make up 12 per cent of the total, and 24 per cent of the startups are led by women.
“With our second round of N1M, Northumberland CFDC is now powering some 75 technology startups across southern Ontario,” says Northumberland CFDC executive director Wendy Curtis. “We are inspired to see such a diverse group emerge in response to our call to action to accelerate women-led, green tech and rural Eastern Ontario-based ventures with renewed funding and support from FedDev Ontario.”
In addition to seed funding, the N1M program also provides entrepreneurial development and skills training opportunities for founders.
Here’s the complete list of the 45 startups receiving funding.
- Able Innovations ($30,000)
- Agro For You ($30,000)
- Alchemy Inc. (Neverfrost) ($30,000)
- Audience GPS ($10,000)
- Augmented Experiences ($4,750)
- Authority Formula Consults ($20,000)
- Biosphere GPS ($20,000)
- BlushDrop ($20,000)
- Bob Tonner Applied Research ($10,000)
- Canuck Play Inc. ($20,000)
- Char Technologies ($30,000)
- ConnexHealth ($25,000)
- Convictional Commerce ($30,000)
- Eagle Areospace ($25,000)
- Elemental Solutions ($25,000)
- EmulGreen Labs ($30,000)
- FanSaves ($25,000)
- Foundation Cloud Systems ($25,000)
- Frontier Labs ($25,000)
- Gnowise ($17,250)
- Grain Discovery ($25,000)
- Greenlight Analytical ($30,000)
- H2nano ($30,000)
- Hops on Board ($25,000)
- Intelline ($4,000)
- Mero Technologies ($15,000)
- Meta Innovation Technologies ($15,000)
- MFMG ($20,000)
- Microfactory Co-operative ($25,000)
- Netmechanics ($25,000)
- Open Ocean Apps ($25,000)
- Phycus Biotechnologies ($30,000)
- Pliant ($30,000)
- ProPaintGear ($6,500)
- Riverwood Acoustics ($30,000)
- Simple Life Homes ($15,000)
- SN Technologies ($25,000)
- SpaceiShare ($10,000)
- Suffuse ($10,000)
- Treewell ($20,000)
- Turnkey Aquaponics ($10,000)
- U-Dimensions ($10,000)
- UnLock Math ($20,000)
- VR Headspace ($25,000)
- Wavve Boating ($10,000)
Hastings Highlands enters into deal for cannabis production facility
The Municipality of Hastings Highlands has entered into a deal with AeroPonLeaf Canada to develop a vacant property north of Bancroft to be used as a cannabis production facility.
The facility will be located on Y Road, about five kilometres north of the Town of Bancoft, on the property formerly occupied by GP Flakeboard.
The property has remained undeveloped since the particle board plant closed in 2003.
A public meeting with representatives from AeroPonLeaf Canada will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 28th at Emond Hall at the Hastings Highlands municipal offices (33011 Hastings County Rd 62, Maynooth).
Payless Shoe Source and Home Outfitters retail stores in Peterborough are closing
Peterborough’s retail sector suffered a double blow last week when both Payless ShoeSource and Hudson’s Bay Co. announced they were shutting down retail operations.
U.S. discount shoe retailer Payless ShoeSource, which filed for bankruptcy protection last Monday (February 18), announced it would be closing is 2,354 stores in North America.
This includes the Payless ShoeSource store at Lansdowne Place Mall in Peterborough.
All stores will be closed by the end of May 2019.
Then on Thursday (February 22), Hudson’s Bay Co. announced it is winding down its Home Outfitters housewares business in Canada, affecting 37 stores in Canada, including one in Peterborough located at 821 Rye Street, across from Best Buy.
The company expects to complete the store closures in 2019.
Both of the Peterborough stores are the only locations of Payless ShoeSource and Home Outfitters in the Kawarthas.
Nominations now open for Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce 2019 Business Excellence Awards
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for its 2019 Business Excellence Awards, which will be awarded at a ceremony on April 27th in Hastings.
Nominations are being accepted in the following nine categories: Excellence In Business (Retail-Based Business), Excellence In Business (Service-Based Business), Pride And Progress, Customer Experience Award (Service Business), Customer Experience Award (Retail Business), Community Impact, Non-Profit Organization, and the Chair’s Award.
All nominations must be submitted to the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22nd.
For rules and regulations and an online nomination form, visit trenthillschamber.ca/business-awards/.
Showplace Performance Centre partners with downtown Peterborough restaurants
Showplace Performance Centre is partnering with selected downtown Peterborough restaurants for its new “Dining pARTnership” program.
The program offers discounts on pre- or post-concert dining, drinks, and desserts at The Night Kitchen, The Food Forest, Silk Roots, Curry Village, Village of Thai, La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Le Petit Bar, and Publican House Brew Pub.
Present your ticket stub on the day of the concert for a 10 to 15 per cent discount. Showplace members can present their membership card at any time for a 10 to 20 per cent discount.
Only one discount applies per bill, beverages may not be included, and gratuities are extra. Check with the restaurant for any restrictions and black-out periods that may apply.
For more information, including a description of the participating restaurants, visit www.showplace.org/dining/.
City of Kawartha Lakes Council approves 2019 operating budget
The City of Kawartha Lakes Council approved the municipality’s $200 million operating budget for 2019 last Wednesday (February 20). The initially projected tax levy increase of 4 per cent was reduced to 2.85 per cent.
New programs, pilot projects, and service enhancements approved by council include: a $100,000 city-wide grant program under the Million Dollar Makeover initiative; an increase of $36,000 to the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative to develop and deliver a Family Physician Professional Development program; allowing year-round leaf and yard waste drop-off, free of charge up to 250 kg (about 25 bags), in addition to existing curbside collection of leaf and yard waste; a new staff position to manage statutory heritage requirements under the Ontario Heritage Act; and funding a three-month Paramedic Community Outreach pilot program, at a cost of $25,000, to identify high-risk discharge patients from Ross Memorial Hospital and help bridge the transition from hospital to home.
Peterborough County Council approves 2019 budget
The County of Peterborough Council approved the county’s 2019 budget last Wednesday (February 20).
The approved budget will see a tax rate increase of 3.95 per cent. This means an average home in the county assessed at $257,750 would pay approximately $29.91 more in county taxes.
Of the 3.95 per cent increase, 2 per cent will go to dedicated infrastructure levy for roads and bridges, 1.29 per cent will go to all other county departments (operating and capital), and 0.66 per cent will go to external boards and organizations.
Community Futures Peterborough hosts Ignite100 information session on February 25 in Peterborough
Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) is hosting an information session for the Ignite100 entrepreneurial competition from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, February 25th in the lower level boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
If you wish to attend this free events, RSVP by calling 705-745-5434 or by emailing Pat Peeling at pat@cfpeterborough.ca.
Port Hope Chamber holds its annual general meeting in Port Hope on February 26
Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26th in the Sculthorpe Theatre at Cameco Capital Arts Centre (20 Queen St., Port Hope).
Trevor McPherson, vice president of member services at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, will be the guest speaker.
The meeting will also feature the election of new board members, review and approval of by-law revisions, new style guidelines and marketing materials, and more.
A light lunch will be provided. To RSVP, email admin@porthopechamber.ca or call 905-885-5519.
Agilec hosting spring hiring fair in Peterborough on February 26
Employment services company Agilec is hosting a multi-employer hiring fair from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26th at Northminster United Church (300 Sunset Blvd., Peterborough).
Numerous employers looking to hire part-time, full-time, and seasonal positions will be in attendance.
For more information, contact Arlayna Curtin at Agilec at 705-740-2577 ext. 5210 or acurtin@agilec.ca.
Trent University’s Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Centre presents Drew Dudley in Peterborough on February 28
The Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Centre (ESIC) at Trent University is presenting leadership guru Drew Dudley from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 29th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
Dudley is the founder and chief catalyst of Day One Leadership, Inc., which helps organizations around the world increase their leadership capacity. His clients have included some of the world’s most dynamic companies and organizations, including McDonald’s, Dreamworks Animation, JP Morgan Chase, and over 75 colleges and universities.
This event is run in collaboration with the Royal Bank of Canada and the Innovation Cluster.
Doors at 6 p.m. The event is free, but you must reserve your seats by registering at www.eventbrite.com/e/trent-university-esic-presents-drew-dudley-live-at-market-hall-tickets-54553981427.
Northumberland CFDC presents customer acquisition workshop featuring Sarah Stockdale on March 1 in Cobourg
Northumberland CFDC is presenting a one-day interactive workshop called “Innovating in Customer Acquisition for Tech Startups” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at on Friday, March 1st at Venture13 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The day will feature a morning session led by Chris Gillies (entrepreneur, venture catalyst, and manager of applied research and business development at Durham College) and an afternoon keynote from Sarah Stockdale, founder and CEO of Valkerie (a boutique growth consultancy for startups and innovation focused companies).
The workshop is free, but you must register at www.eventbrite.com/e/innovating-in-customer-acquisition-featuring-sarah-stockdale-tickets-54555591242.
Peterborough Chamber presents Power Hour with local elected officials on March 1
Recheduled from the original date of February 12th because of weather, the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is presenting its annual “Power Hour” featuring Peterborough’s elected officials from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 1st at The StoneHouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough).
The Power Hour is a lively interactive dinner and question-and-answer session with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones, and City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien.
Peterborough City and County councillors, along with the Chief Administrative Officers of the City and County of Peterborough and First Nations leaders, will be invited to join individual tables.
The event will be recorded for broadcast on Cogeco’s YourTV Peterborough/Lindsay.
Tickets are $65 per person or $450 for a table of seven for Chamber members, and $75 per person or $525 for a table of seven for non-members. REGISTRATION CLOSES 12:00PM FEBRUARY 26th 2019
For more information and to register, visit peterboroughchamber.ca.
Venture13 hosts Fresh Food Mapathon on March 2 in Cobourg
Innovation and entrepreneurship centre Venture13 is hosting the Fresh Food Mapathon from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 2nd at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The free event will challenge participants in a team to design a digital mapping solution that improves access to local fresh food to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles in Northumberland County.
No previous knowledge of digital mapping required, Geographical Information System (GIS) training will be provided by professional practitioners. You can bring your own devices or use on of the 12 laptops with access to OpenStreetMap and ArcGIS Online that will be available.
A $200 cash prize will be awarded for best use of digital technology in each of the following areas: surveying local needs through crowdsourcing, analyzing and improving local community food security, promoting healthy eating and an active lifestyle, and promoting technical and vocational entrepreneurship. A $600 prize will be awarded to the team with the best working prototype that integrates all four categories.
A free catered lunch will be provided. For more information and to register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/put-fresh-food-on-the-map-tickets-55766448950. You can register with a team or as an individual and Venture13 will find a team for you.
Harvest Haliburton hosts Food and Agriculture Economic Development Forum in Minden on March 5
Sustainable food association Harvest Haliburton is hosting the Food and Agriculture Economic Development Forum from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5th at the Minden Community Centre (55 Parkside St., Minden).
The forum is a chance for interested residents, food producers, farmers, retailers, restauranteurs, elected politicians, municipal staff, and others to learn about the exciting food and agriculture-related projects underway in Haliburton County. Participants can also discover how they can support and shape the future of the local food sector.
Staff from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will deliver a keynote address on the tools and strategies available to help the area’s local food sector thrive. There will also be discussion topics including selling and branding local food, culinary and food tourism, municipal food planning, and more.
The forum is free to attend and includes a lunch showcasing ingredients from many of the area’s primary food producers.
For more information and to register by February 20th, visit www.harvesthaliburton.com.
2019 Win This Space finale in Peterborough on March 5
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is presenting the finale of the 2019 Win This Space competition from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5th at ARIA (331 George St. N., Peterborough).
The winner of the annual competition will be announced at the event. The grand prize package, valued at more than $40,000, includes a free year-long least of a storefront in downtown Peterborough and thousands of dollars in donated prizes including office and computer supplies, marketing and financial services, and advertising and promotion.
The top 10 contestants vying for the grand prize are Sheneese Wilkins of Mink Magic, Becky and Kent Sheehey of Sweat Happy Wellness, Sandra Young of Statement House Vintage, Anthony and Samantha Lennan of The Food Shop, David Searle of Moloko, Emma Pineo of Studio Pineo, Jonathan MacKay of Sustain Your Eco Living & Building Store, Laura and Dave Clark of Knook & Cranny, Lacey Klatt of Cozy Home Designs By Lacey, and Jules Diotallevi of The Rabbit Hole.
Lakefield Career Fair and and Community Information Session on March 6
The City and County of Peterborough, Agilec, the Municipality of Trent Lakes, and the Township of Selwyn have organized the Lakefield Career Fair and Community Information Session from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6th at the Lakefield Legion (10 Nicholls St., Lakefield).
The free event is for job seekers of all ages, and will feature employers offering include year-round and seasonal positions including skilled and general labour, nursing, food service, cleaning, and more.
Employers at the event will include AGTA Home Health Care, Burleigh Falls Inn, Cameron Steel Inc., Canadian Armed Forces, Concentrix, Katchiwano Golf & Country Club, Lockstop Café\Coons Cottage Care, Nightingale Nursing, Ontario Provincial Police, Otonabee Conservation Authority, R&J Machine, Savage Arms, SGS Canada, Six Foot Bay Resort, and Regency Retirement Lakefield.
Kawartha Lakes Arts Council hosts a copyright workshop for creators on March 6 in Janetville
Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is hosting the “Copyright for Creators” workshop at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6th at Janetville Community Centre (693 Janetville Rd., Janetville).
Writers, visual artists, graphic designers, musicians and composers, actors, producers, filmmakers, and game designers can learn about copyright, trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing. You will find out how to protect original creative ideas, understand the rules about public domain, and ask questions about infringement, reproduction, and transformative use.
Panelists include Penni Holdham (master prop builder, designer, and muralist), Dwayne Collins (digital scholarship librarian), and Catherine Jones (music and media rights specialist) and the evening will be moderated by Dianne Lister (photographer and chair of Kawartha Lakes Arts Council).
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the evening will begin with a presentation at 7 p.m., followed by a Q&A session at 8 p.m. and refreshments at 8:30 p.m.
The cost is $10 for members of the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council and $15 for non-members and guests. Cash or cheque will be accepted to the door.
To register, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/copyright-for-creators-registration-55605907767,
Lindsay Chamber hosts its annual general meeting in Lindsay on March 6
The Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual general meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6th at The Auk’s Lodge on Fleming College’s Frost Campus (200 Albert St. S., Lindsay).
You can view the Chamber’s activities and successes of the past year, learn about Chamber initiatives for the year ahead, and review the 2018 financial statement. A motion will be passed for member to accept the next slate of board members.
Refreshments will be provided by The Olympia Restaurant and a cash bar will be available.
For more information, contact Colleen Collins at 705-324-2393 or colleen@lindsaychamber.com. To register, visit events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eg23a1s2f0dd87e6
City of Kawartha Lakes hosting public information centre on downtown Lindsay reconstruction on March 7 in Lindsay
The City of Kawartha Lakes is hosting a public information centre on the design project for the reconstruction of downtown Lindsay from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 7th at the Victoria Park Armoury (210 Kent St. W., Lindsay).
The information centre will present the proposed streetscape plans, building on previously completed planning and design studies and incorporating public feedback and input from stakeholder groups including the Lindsay Downtown BIA, the Downtown Revitalization Working Group, and Heritage Committee and Accessibility Committee.
Drop in between 6 and 8 p.m. A formal presentation will take place at 6:30 p.m.
Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting in Campbellford on March 7
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual general meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7th at the Clock Tower Cultural Centre (36 Front St. S., Campbellford).
The event will include networking, light refreshments, and a review of Chamber events, activities, and programs over the past year.
To register, visit business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/annual-general-meeting-for-the-trent-hills-chamber-of-commerce-3508.
FastStart Peterborough presents E-Connect: International Women’s Day – Female Founders on March 7
FastStart Peterborough’s next E-Connect session, “International Women’s Day – Female Founders”, takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 7th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).
The event features a panel discussion with Dana Empey (Carlson Wagonlit Stewart Travel Services), Gwyneth James (Cody & James Chartered Professional Accountants), and Michelle Ferreri (Michelleferreri.com and MF Media Group).
The event is free, but register at www.eventbrite.com/e/e-connect-international-womens-day-female-founders-tickets-55525255534 to secure your seats.
Men are also encouraged to attend.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts inaugural Business & Entrepreneurship Conference in Peterborough on March 28
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is bringing together business owners from across Peterborough & the Kawarthas for the inaugural Business & Entrepreneurship Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28th at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
This is a must-attend event for entrepreneurs looking to learn from industry thought leaders, network with like-minded professionals to develop partnerships and collaboration, and grow and improve their business. Keynote speakers are Nikki Pett on the topic “Relationship Marketing” and Darrell Keezer on the topic “Digital Disruption”, wiht special guest speaker George Anastasopoulos.
There will be an afternoon panel on customer service in the digital age features local business people include Katie Dempsey of Blind Ambition, Bob Gauvreau of Gauvreau & Associates, Mike Watt of Providence/S.O.S./Flavour Fashion, Scott Murison of Wild Rock, and Nicole Truman of Fox Law.
Early bird tickets $40+HST until February 15th ($55 after February 15th) and include breakfast and lunch.
For the complete program and to register, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/2019-business-entrepreneurship-conference-tickets-54945307895.
Peterborough Emergency Management and Safety Forum on April 4 and 5
The Peterborough Emergency Management and Safety Forum is taking place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4th and Friday, April 5th at Stonehouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St. Peterborough).
This two-day event is an opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field of emergency management and safety planning and execution. The forum will cover incident management and mitigation, emergency planning and responses, public safety, business continuity planning, interoperability in times of crisis or serious event, and coordinated collaborative response.
There will be guest speakers from Orlando, Florida speaking on lessons learned from the Pulse Night Club shooting, Peterborough Police Chief Scott Gilbert speaking on the 2018 Toronto van incident, Sgt. Kerry Schmidt of the O.P.P. speaking on communications and the media in a crisis, Tom McKay (President of the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners), and an expert panel on cyber security.
Early bird tickets are $75 until Friday, February 15th and $100 thereafter. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.ca/e/peterborough-emergency-management-and-safety-forum-2019-tickets-53587643083.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
