This week’s round-up of regional business news includes Trent Valley Honda’s Monika Carmichael receiving the 2019 Women in Business Award, a second intake now open for the Million Dollar Makeover program in the City of Kawartha Lakes, the Bank of Montreal closing its branch in downtown Peterborough, and the opening of nominations for the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Awards of Excellence.
Also featured this week is the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough’s new expanded executive team, the Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group donating $5,000 to Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton, Sweet Beast Fine Meats & Fish opening in Peterborough’s East City this week, and Milltown Mini Golf in Peterborough opening for another season in 2019.
New regional events added this week include the Peterborough DBIA’s breakfast network meeting with Celine MacKay of Sustain on April 17th in Peterborough, the Trent Hills Chamber’s members-only breakfast meeting with MP Kim Rudd on April 18th in Campbellford, the Port Hope Chamber’s breakfast meeting on the Ontario budget with MPP David Piccini on April 24th in Port Hope, the Bancroft Chamber’s Biz after Biz networking event on April 24th in Bancroft, and Kawarthas Northumberland hosting regional ambassador training on May 13th in Peterborough.
Trent Valley Honda’s Monika Carmichael receives the 2019 Women in Business Award
2019 Women in Business Award winner Monika Carmichael (second from right) and 2019 Judy Heffernan Award winner Kim Appleton (right) along with Tara Spence from Trent University and Jo Oanh Ho from Fleming College, the recipients of the 2019 Female Business Student Award. Not pictured: Erin McLean and Bridget Leslie, the two finalists for the 2019 Women in Business Award. (Photo: Bianca Nucaro / kawarthaNOW.com)
Last Tuesday (April 9), the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) presented the 2019 Women in Business Award to Trent Valley Honda owner and general manager Monika Carmichael.
The award recognizes outstanding female business leadership. The two runners-up for the award were Erin McLean of McLean Berry Farm and Bridget Leslie of My Left Breast as the two finalists.
Local businesswoman, mentor, and volunteer Kim Appleton received the 2019 Judy Heffernan Award for her efforts at empowering other women.
Tara Spence from Trent University and Jo Oanh Ho from Fleming College were the recipients of the new Female Business Students of the Award, honouring one student from each institution.
Second round of Million Dollar Makeover program in the City of Kawartha Lakes now open
A second intake for the City of Kawartha Lakes’ Million Dollar Makeover program is now open.
The funding program supports property and business owners who want to improve the visual and functional aspects of their commercial, mixed-use commercial/residential, or heritage-designated residential buildings.
The first intake for the program ended in January 2019, and 17 business and property owners were successful applicants in the first round of the program. So far, almost $400,000 of the $1.1 million in funding for the program has been allocated for 2019.
Makeovers for the 17 businesses in the first round are expected to begin this spring in Bobcaygeon, Coboconk, Fenelon Falls, Kinmount, Lindsay and Omemee. In total, eight loans totalling $300,325.80 were executed or conditionally approved and 12 grants totalling $67,114.25 were allocated. The most popular programs approved were façades, signage, and building repair renovations.
In addition to the initial funding, another $100,000 in grants has been approved by City of Kawartha Lakes council. The funding is open to all areas within Kawartha Lakes, with a priority on downtown and main street areas. Previously available only as a loan, the city has opened the accessibility improvement program for grant applications.
The application process for the second intake of Million Dollar Makeover program will remain the same. Business and property owners are encouraged to complete an expression of interest prior to submitting their funding application.
For more information on the program, available funding, and the application process, visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/makeover, email makeover@kawarthalakes.ca, or call 705-324-9411 ext. 1396.
Bank of Montreal branch in downtown Peterborough is closing in August
The BMO Bank of Montreal branch at 130 Simcoe Street in downtown Peterborough will be closing on August 9th, according to a notice posted at the branch last Tuesday (April 9).
Regulations under the Bank Act require federally regulated financial institutions to provide four months’ notice when they are planning to close a branch.
Various banks have continued to close branches, particularly in rural communities, citing changing client behaviour as people switch to online banking.
BMO has two other branches in Peterborough, one in Lansdowne Mall at 645 Lansdowne Street West and one in Portage Place at 1154 Chemong Road (which will be moving to an expanded location in the mall in September).
BMO owns the building at 130 Simcoe Street, which was constructed for the bank in 1960. The building was designed by German-Canadian architect Eberhard Zeidler, who worked for the former architectural firm with Blackwell and Craig in Peterborough. Zeidler also designed the Beth Israel Synagogue, the Peterborough Memorial Centre, the Peterborough Museum & Archives, and the Cherney House at 99 Roper Drive.
The BMO building is considered a landmark modernist building, notable for its frieze executed in gold mosaic tiles and the book-matched panels in black marble on the south and east elevations. It is currently not protected by a heritage designation. However, the building is listed on the City of Peterborough’s heritage registry, which would require 60 days’ notice to the city if the current or future owner wanted to demolish or significantly renovate the building.
Nominations open for Lindsay Chamber’s 2019 Awards of Excellence
Nominations are now open for the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Awards of Excellence.
All residents, businesses, and organizations within the City of Kawartha Lakes are eligible for the awards, which include the following categories: Marketing Excellence, Arts And Cultural Excellence, Customer Service Excellence, Innovation Excellence, New Business Of The Year, Agricultural Excellence, Not-For-Profit-Excellence, Tourism Excellence, Health And Wellness Excellence, Youth Excellence, Design Excellence, Employer Of The Year, Business Leader Of The Year, and Citizen Of The Year.
Nominees do not need to be members of the Lindsay Chamber, and self-nominations are encouraged. The awards will be presented at a celebration on Friday, June 7th at the Lakeview Arts Barn in Bobcaygeon,
Nomination forms for each award category are available at lindsaychamber.com. The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 26th. You can also purchase tickets for the June 7th Evening of Excellence celebration.
Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough announces expanded executive team based on shared leadership model
The Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, a charitable organization that invests in improving the quality of life in the City and County of Peterborough, has announced an expanded executive team based on a new shared leadership model.
The organization’s existing staff, Jennifer DeBues and Nicole Gagliardi, will be joining John Good, who has served as executive director since 2014, on the executive team.
As director of operations and granting, DeBues will oversee the foundation’s granting activities and internal operations. As director of strategic initiatives, Gagliardi will direct the foundation’s community relations and special initiatives. John Good will take on the role of director of fund development to help local donors realize their philanthropic goals.
According to a media release, the foundation’s board of directors adopted the new leadership model after a year of careful planning and deliberation with staff and stakeholders.
“As a board, we feel strongly that the new executive team will provide the foundation with the knowledge and experience that we need to continue building our vital community in the years to come,” says board chair Diane Richard.
The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group donates $5,000 to local Alzheimer Society
Insurance company The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group has donated $5,000 to the “Minds in Motion” program of the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton.
The donation was made under the company’s C.A.R.E. (Create A Ripple Effect) philanthropy program.
The Commonwell has regional offices in Lindsay, Alexandria, and Perth.
Sweet Beast Fine Meats & Fish opens in Peterborough’s East City this week
Sweet Beast Fine Meats & Fish, a new butcher shop in Peterborough’s East City, hosted a soft launch on Saturday (April 13) in advance of their official opening this week.
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), Sweet Beast promises “traditionally raised” beef, pork, and chicken from southern Ontario and the Kawarthas.
Sweet Beast is located at 95 Hunter St. E., in the plaza at the southwest corner of Hunter Street and Mark Street.
For updates on their official opening, visit them on Facebook or Instagram.
Milltown Mini Golf in Peterborough opening for another season in 2019
One of Peterborough’s favourite family attractions, Milltown Mini Golf (933 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough), is staying open for yet another season.
Owners Barry and Lynda Cross originally announced they would be closing in the fall of 2017 after 33 years in business when their landlord sold the two-acre property to local developer. However, an application for redevelopment was delayed, allowing Milltown Mini Golf to operate again in 2018.
As the developer still lacks the necessary rezoning to proceed with a proposed 35,000-square-foot grocery store on the site and is awaiting a decision from the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal,
Milltown Mini Golf will be reopening for the 2019 season on Wednesday, May 1st, weather permitting.
Milltown Mini Golf, which calls itself a “family fun centre”, doesn’t just offer mini golf. They also have batting cages, rock wall climbing, treasure hunts, and more. It’s also been a popular location for wedding proposals and receptions, birthday parties, family gatherings, and more. The business has 12 employees.
For more information about Milltown Mini Golf, visit www.milltownminigolf.com.
Peterborough DBIA breakfast network meeting with Celine MacKay of Sustain on April 17 in Peterborough
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA)’s next breakfast network meeting takes place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17th at Empress Gardens (131 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
Celine MacKay of eco-lifestyle Sustain will be the guest speaker. The winner of the 2019 Win This Space competition, Sustain sells eco-friendly and sustainable household and personal care products.
Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. with the guest speaker at 8 a.m.
Tickets are $5 at the door, and the meeting is open to everyone.
Peterborough Chamber hosts lunch seminar with Ashley Lamothe of Creative Kwe on April 17 in Peterborough
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next Lunch Box Learning session takes place from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17th in the chamber’s boardroom (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Ashley Lamothe of Creative Kwe will host the seminar on the topic “Creative Team Building Made Simple”.
Lunch Box Learning is free to attend for Chamber members and members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Bring your own lunch.
Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development hosts meet and greet on April 17 in Fenelon Falls
Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (KLCFDC) is hosting a meet and greet from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17th at Home by Tim + Chris (44 Colborne St., Fenelon Falls).
You can find out about some of the recent projects KLCFDC has supported in Fenelon Falls and hear more about what the organization does for the community.
Light refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome to attend.
Kawartha Lakes Arts Council hosts community celebration and annual general meeting on April 17 in Omemee
The Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is hosting its 4th annual community celebration and annual general meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17th at Coronation Hall (1 King St. W. Omemee).
The annual general meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by a tribute to artist Michael Poulton, a live auction of original artworks and creative experiences, a Neil Young tribute by Gerald Van Halteren, and more.
The Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is a not-for-profit volunteer organization of volunteers dedicated to serving the arts community in Kawartha Lakes by advocating for artists and the arts, promoting a vibrant arts community, fostering professional development and educational training, and cultivating investment and support of the arts in the community.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts members-only breakfast meeting with MP Kim Rudd on April 18 in Campbellford
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a members-only breakfast meeting with Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd from 8 to 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 18th at Riverview Restaurant (6 Front St. S., Campbellford).
The event is free for Chamber members to attend, and a continental breakfast will be served.
Register by Monday, April 15th at 2 p.m. by calling 705-653-1551 or emailing admin@trenthillschamber.ca.
Haliburton Highlands Chamber hosts a breakfast meeting with MPP Laurie Scott on April 23 in Haliburton
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting The Breadkfast Club with MPP Laurie Scott from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23rd at Mckeck’s Tap & Grill (207 Highland St., Haliburton)
Scott, who is MPP for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, will talk about her role as Ontario Minister of Labour and what she is planning on for 2019.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eg76zk9ob91259d5
Port Hope Chamber hosts breakfast meeting on Ontario budget with MPP David Piccini on April 24 in Port Hope
The Port Hope Chamber of Commerce is hosting a breakfast meeting with Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24th at Railside Restaurant (112 Peter St., Port Hope).
Piccini will discuss the Ontario budget that was announced on April 11th and answer questions.
The event costs $20, which includes a hot breakfast, coffee, and juice.
To register, visit porthopechamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/budget-breakfast-with-david-piccini-376.
Kawartha Chamber hosts Business After Hours on April 24 in Young’s Point
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its next Business After Hours event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24th in Young’s Point.
The “Young’s Point Hop” will visit several businesses in the area, including Old Bridge Inn, Young’s Point Personal Training Services, Clearview Cottage Resort, and Kinetic Therapeutics.
Admission is free for Chamber members. Non-members can attend once for free and then $25 for any following Business After Hours event if they do not join the Chamber.
To register, visit business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/details/business-after-hours-young-s-point-hop-10420
Bancroft Chamber hosts Biz after Biz networking event on April 24 in Bancroft
The Bancroft Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “Biz afer Biz” member networking event from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24th upstairs at Canadian Tire (341 Hastings St. N., Bancroft).
The spring-themed Biz after Biz will be hosted by Ron Landry of Canadian Tire Bancroft and will feature guest speakers and special treats.
The event is free for Chamber members, who are welcome to bring a guest (guests pay $15 at the door). Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eg8d9y50cefabcf0.
Venture13 Funding Forum on April 25 in Cobourg
Venture13, the Business Development Bank of Canada, and the Northumberland Manufacturing Association are presenting the Venture13 Funding Forum from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 25th at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
Meet with various funding organizations, including the Northumberland CFDC, FedDev, OMAFRA, and more, to learn about the funding programs and services they have to offer.
The event is free. Reserve your spot at www.eventbrite.com/e/venture13-funding-forum-tickets-55978753960.
Innovation Cluster hosts breakfast meeting on clean energy and technology on April 26 in Peterborough
The Innovation Cluster’s next “power breakfast” event takes place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Friday, April 26th at Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough)
The topic will be “Clean Energy and Technology” and will feature organizations working in the clean tech industry: Marcelo Sarkis of Prima IP and Jason Wight, director of engineering at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (Ontario Power Generation).
The free event includes a hot breakfast buffet.
To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/power-breakfast-clean-energy-and-technology-tickets-59001518129.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts Celebration of Business Excellence Awards Ceremony on April 27 in Hastings
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its Celebration of Business Excellence Awards Ceremony from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 27th at The Grand Maple (19 Abert St. E., Hastings).
Awards will be presented in the following 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.
A reception takes place at 6:30 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 for Chamber members and $60 for non-members and are available at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/celebration-of-business-excellence-awards-ceremony-3316.
Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence on April 27 in Bobcaygeon
The Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce presents its 2019 Awards of Excellence dinner and awards ceremony from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 27th at Lakeview Arts Barn (2300 Pigeon Lake Rd., Bobcaygeon).
The event includes a cocktail reception, a sit-down three-course meal, and the awards presentation.
Tickets are $55 per person (table purchases of eight or 10 tickets also available). For more information and for tickets, visit www.bobcaygeon.org/AOE2019.
Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition hosts final pitch event on April 30 in Peterborough
The Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurial Competition is hosting its final pitch event from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30th at The Venue (268 George St. N., Peterborough).
Six finalists in two categories (Transit One, AVROD, and Alexander Optical in the Innovation category: Electric Juice Factory, Emily Mae’s Cookies & Sweets, and PedalBoro in the Goods and Services category) will pitch their businesses to a penal of judges.
One winner from each category will be announced at the end of the event.
Appetizers will be available, along with a cash bar. Tickets are available for $10 at www.eventbrite.ca/e/bears-lair-finale-event-tickets-60062306977, with the proceeds to be split equally between the two winners in each category.
Deadline for nominations for Kawartha Chamber 2019 Business Awards of Excellence is April 30
The deadline for nominations for the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism’s 20th annual Business Awards of Excellence is Tuesday, April 30th. The nomination period for this year’s awards has moved from the fall to the spring.
Any business, individual, or organization within Peterborough County or the City of Peterborough can be nominated in one of 10 categories: Citizen of the Year, Young Professional, Outstanding Business Achievement, Commercial Development or Renovation, Customer Service Excellence, Entrepreneur Innovation, Not-For-Profit Excellence, Retailer of the Year, Service Sector Excellence, and Tourism/Hospitality. The awards will be presented at a gala event on October 10, 2019.
For more information and to submit a nomination, visit kawarthachamber.ca/nominations.
Sold out – Inclusive Advisory hosts “Conscious Shift” workshops on May 10 in Peterborough
Inclusive Advisory, a multidisciplinary firm practising accounting, law, and wealth management with offices in Peterborough and Port Perry, is hosting a series of workshops called “Conscious Shift” from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10th at The Mount Community Centre (1545 Monaghan Rd., Peterborough).
With the tagline “leadership and management uncensored”, the workshops will feature four speakers sharing their experiences on leadership. Each speaker will give an original 20-minute presentation followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session.
The speakers are: Paul Bennett, owner of Ashburnham Realty; Mike Skinner, president and CEO of the Innovation Cluster; Cheif Kelly LaRocca of the Mississaugas of Scucog Island First Nation; and Sacha Lai-Svirk, director of digital health at Outpost379.
The workshops, which promise to “challenge the participants to step outside of their comfort zone” by introducing them “to alternative insights that challenge the status quo in management”, are designed for business owners, executives, managers, and community leaders.
Tickets are $200 each, with $150 from each ticket donated to The Mount Community Centre, Peterborough’s sustainable and inclusive urban village (charitable receipts will be provided).
For tickets, email Montana Scott at Inclusive Advisory at mscott@inclusiveadvisory.ca.
Note: This event is now sold out.
Kawarthas Northumberland hosting regional ambassador training on May 13 in Peterborough
Kawarthas Northumberland (Regional Tourism Organization 8) is hosting a training session for regional ambassadors from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13th in the boardroom at the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
The half-day course is free to attend and open to all Kawarthas Northumberland tourism operators and tourism businesses.
Space is limited. To register, contact Julie at partner@rto8.com or 705-874-8505 ext. 102.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
