businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
This week’s news includes Hajni Hõs resigning from New Canadians Centre to become new executive director of Hospice Peterborough, a new cannabis production facility being planned near Lindsay, GreenUP winning five awards from Green Communities Canada, and Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner visiting the 2019 Win This Space winner in Peterborough on July 4th.
Also featured this week are Cambium winning the ignite100 entrepreneurial competition, Jesse Bateson of Solid Leather opening his new shop in downtown Peterborough, Jennifer Anderson becoming the new head of employee services at Trillium Lakelands District School Board, and the City of Peterborough HotSpot app now supporting parking at downtown Peterborough parking garages.
New regional events added this week include “Get the Scoop”, an open house at Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism Visitor Centre in Peterborough on July 5th, a fireside chat on artificial intelligence in the workplace at Venture13 in Cobourg on July 9th, and a seminar on environmental practices seminar hosted by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce on July 17th.
Hajni Hõs resigns from New Canadians Centre to become new executive director of Hospice Peterborough
A big change in leadership for two local non-profit organizations was announced this week, when Hajni Hõs resigned as executive director of New Canadians Centre Peterborough to take over the reins as executive director of Hospice Peterborough.
A lawyer by training, Hõs moved to Canada from her native Budapest, Hungary in 2007 and began working at New Canadians Centre as an employment counsellor in 2008. In 2009, she became coordinator of the Peterborough Immigration Partnership (formerly the Peterborough Partnership Council on Immigrant Integration).
Hõs became executive director of New Canadians Centre in 2011. During her tenure as executive director, the organization grew from 12 to 27 employees and, in 2018, served almost 700 new clients from 103 countries. She oversaw the creation of programs such as the Workplace Integration Program and Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program as well as the organization’s 2013 renovation and move to its current premises at St. James United Church.
Hõs was also instrumental in getting Peterborough approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in 2016 as a resettlement assistance program centre, resulting in the resettlement of 200 government-assisted refugees in 2016 and 2017 (and almost 400 to date). This initiative, where refugees are resettled with the help of volunteer support teams, has been duplicated nation-wide as a successful resettlement strategy.
Hõs’s resignation from New Canadians Centre is effective on August 10th, and she will begin her new duties as executive director of Hospice Peterborough on August 26th. She is replacing Linda Sunderland, who is retiring from Hospice Peterborough after 26 years of service.
New cannabis production facility planned near Lindsay
A Markham-based psychiatrist is planning to open a new cannabis production facility near Lindsay.
The facility will be located at the former location of recreational vehicle manufacturer Fleetwood, on Highway 36 at Fleetwood Road north of Lindsay. Fleetwood closed in 2007, throwing 300 people out of work.
Dr. Ghulam Khan recently received federal approval from Health Canada to produce cannabis for both medical and recreational use, and is currently working with the City of Kawartha Lakes on approvals.
The former Fleetwood facility includes a 78,000-square-foot building on around 19 acres of land. The existing building will be renovated for cannabis production use, with future plans for a 500,000-square-foot greenhouse on the property.
Khan expects to employ several hundred people when the facility is completed and fully operational within the next two years.
Due to ongoing shortages of cannabis after it was legalized in Canada in October 2018, abandoned industrial sites are increasingly becoming ideal locations for cannabis production facilities.
AeroPonLeaf Canada plans to open one in Haliburton Highlands north of Bancroft, at the location of the former GP Flakeboard plant that closed in 2003.
GreenUP wins five awards from Green Communities Canada
Environmental organization Peterborough GreenUP recently won five awards from Green Communities Canada (GCC), a national association of community organizations working with homeowners, businesses, governments, and communities to reduce our impact on the environment.
The annual Green Communities Awards recognize champions who work and volunteer with GCC and its member organizations.
Heather Ray, GreenUP’s manager of water programs, received the outstanding staff person award, recognizing a staff person who has demonstrated, through their work and achievements, the strongest commitment to a green community while bringing about positive change and impact to the organization. Ray’s Depave Paradise project in Peterborough won this year’s Ontario Business Improvement Area Association Award for the best large-scale streetscape and public realm improvement.
GreenUP also received the innovation award for its neighbourhood-based project work, including Ready for Rain, Sustainable Urban Neighbourhoods, and NeighbourPLAN. In addition, GreenUP executive director Brianna Salmon and board members Ivan Bateman and Ramesh Makhija each received a GCC resilience awards, which are awarded in recognition of 10 to 14 years of service to the organization.
Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner to visit 2019 Win This Space winner in Peterborough on July 4
Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph and leader of the Green Party of Ontario. (Photo: Green Party of Ontario)
Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, will be visiting Peterborough on Thursday, July 4th.
Schreiner, who was elected MPP for Guelph — the first-ever Green Party MPP — in the 2018 provincial election, will make make a public visit to the Sustain Eco Store at 418 George Street North in downtown Peterborough.
Huntsville-based Sustain — am eco-lifestyle retailer owned and operated by Jonathan and Celine MacKay — was the grand prize winner of the 2019 Win This Space entrepreneurial competition earlier this year. The grand prize included a free year-long lease of a downtown Peterborough storefront.
Before his visit to Sustain, Schreiner will be touring the future site of Cleantech Commons at Trent University.
Prior to his political career, Schreiner was an entrepreneur and small business owner focused on sustainable food production and the local food movement. His first business was Toronto Organics, specializing in delivering food to consumers, and in Guelph he founded WOW Foods, co-founded Earthdance Organics (a Guelph-based food production business that supplied area health food stores and farmers’ markets), and Local Food Plus.
Cambium wins ignite100 entrepreneurial competition
Peterborough-based consulting and engineering company Cambium has won the inaugural ignite100 entrepreneurial competition.
Economic development organization Community Futures Peterborough, which organized the competition, made the announcement at its annual general meeting on Thursday (June 27) at the Peterborough Rugby Club.
As the winner of the competition, Cambium wins a $100,000 loan, interest-free for the first three years with no payments for the first year.
Jesse Bateson of Solid Leather opens shop in downtown Peterborough
Jesse Bateson, owner and operator of Solid Leather, has opened a new storefront at 2 Bankers Common in downtown Peterborough.
Bateson hand crafts made-to-order leather belts that he guarantees — for life. He creates both casual and formal belts, with custom monogramming available.
For more information and to book an appointment, visit solidleather.com.
Jennifer Anderson to head employee services at Trillium Lakelands District School Board
Jennifer Anderson will be the new head of employee services at Trillium Lakelands District School Board.
Anderson is replacing Dianna Scates, who retires at the end of July.
Recently the human resources and labour relations manager for for Peterborough Public Health, Anderson’s experience has included human resources leadership in health care, banking, research, and global organizations.
City of Peterborough HotSpot app can now be used in downtown Peterborough parking garages
The City of Peterborough’s HotSpot parking app can now be used to pay for parking at the Simcoe Street Garage and the King Street Parkade in downtown Peterborough.
With the app installed on your phone, tap your phone on the Hotspot sensor when you enter and leave the parking garages, and you will only be charged for your actual parking time (the first hour is always free in both parking garages).
You can already use the app to pay for metered and pay-and-display parking in downtown Peterborough. And if your business meeting in downtown Peterborough runs longer than expected, there’s no need to run outside to feed the metre. The app will notify you when your time at a parking metre is expiring and you can add more time to the metre remotely using the app.
For more information on HotSpot and where to download the app, visit htsp.ca.
POSTPONED – Kawartha Chamber hosts a Stoney Lake boat cruise on July 4
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s next Business After Hours event features boat cruise on Stoney Lake from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th at Stoney Lake Cruises (610 Mount Julian – Viamede Rd., Woodview).
Participants will board at 4:30 p.m. and the cruise will happen from 5 to 7 p.m. (rain or shine).
Appetizers will be provided by Burleigh Falls Inn (email info@kawarthachamber.ca if you have any dietary restrictions).
Tickets are $20 for Chamber members and $30 for non-members. Register at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/details/stoney-lake-boat-cruise-with-the-kawartha-chamber-10422.
Note: As of July 3, the cruise has been postponed indefinitely due to unforeseen circumstances with the boat.
“Get the Scoop” open house at Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism Visitor Centre in Peterborough on July 5
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism is hosting “Get the Scoop”, an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 5th at the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitor Centre (270 George St. N., Suite 101, Peterborough).
You can learn about the visitor services and resources available at the centre. The event also features free ice cream (while quantities last) from Central Smith Creamery, a pop-up shop from Peterborough Museum & Archives, a Voyageur Canoe photo booth hosted by The Canadian Canoe Museum, and activities for the kids.
To RSVP, visit the Facebook event page or email Kelly Jessup at kjessup@peterboroughed.ca.
Peterborough Chamber hosts Chamber AM breakfast meeting in Peterborough on July 9
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Chamber AM breakfast meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Networking begins at 7 a.m., with breakfast orders taken at The Edison at 7:30 a.m. At 7:45 a.m., you can make your best 30-second elevator speech to the room), followed by a mystery guest speaker at 8 a.m.
There is no cost for the event (order what you like and pay for what you order).
Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts Facebook for Business workshop in Campbellford on July 9
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “Facebook Business for Beginners” workshop from 8 to 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9th at the Chamber office (51 Grand Rd., Campbellford).
Chamber staff will provide tips and tricks on setting up your Facebook Page, creating your first post, and strategies for building a successful marketing tool on Facebook.
This small group session is open to Chamber members only. Register at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/facebook-business-for-beginners-3937
Fireside chat on artificial intelligence in the workplace at Venture13 in Cobourg on July 9
Venture13 is hosting the fourth instalment in its Fireside Chat series from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9th at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg)
“Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace: The Human-Machine Connection” will focus on using AI technology in the workplace and how businesses are making the most impact with AI. You can learn about the human-machine connection in the workplace, process automation, Internet of Things (IoT) and analytics, augmented and virtual reality, AI and sentiment analysis on social media, autonomous vehicles, and more.
Guest speakers at the event are Alex Papanicolaou (Director and Lead Designer at the Microfactory Coop at Venture13), Aman Bhargava (a University of Toronto Engineering student specializing in machine intelligence and design), and Joseph Boggard (Trent University instructor from the Computing & Information Systems Degree Program).
Everyone is welcome to attend the free fireside chat. To secure your space, register at www.eventbrite.com/e/fireside-chat-ai-in-the-workplace-tickets-63797365638
Summer Company Staples Day in Peterborough on July 10
Summer Company Staples Day takes place in Peterborough on July 10, 2019. (Photo: Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre)
Students participating in the Summer Company program will be showcasing their businesses on Wednesday, July 10th at Staples Peterborough (109 Park St. S., Peterborough).
Ontario’s flagship youth entrepreneurship program, Summer Company provides students aged 15 to 29 an opportunity to open and operate their own business during summer break. Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre has partnered with the program since 2001.
The 2019 program is currently underway, with seven students at the high school and post-secondary levels getting ready to start their first business. Students are in the process of receiving a grant of $1,500 from the Ontario government to spend towards their start-up expenses.
Summer Company Staples Day not only provides students with the opportunity to showcase their businesses to the public, but provides them with experience in networking, advertisement, and communicating their brand to the community.
All are welcome to attend. More information will be provided closer to the date of the event.
Northumberland Chamber hosts business economic outlook breakfast meeting with MP Kim Russ and MPP David Piccini in Cobourg on July 11
The Northumberland Central Chambre of Commerce is hosting “Northumberland County Economic Outlook”, a breakfast meeting from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 11th at The Mill Restaurant & Pub (990 Ontario St., Cobourg).
Northumberland—Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd and MPP David Piccini, along with Northumberland County Director of Economic Development & Tourism Dan Borowec, will each provide an overview of initiatives, objectives, challenges, and opportunities affecting economic development in Northumberland.
Registration and networking begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by breakfast and presentations at 8 a.m. and a question-and-answer session at 8:30 a.m.
The cost is $15 for Chamber members and $20 for non-members. Registration and payment is required by Tuesday, July 9th.
For more information and to register, visit nccofc.ca/events/details/northumberland-county-economic-outlook-1607.
Peterborough Chamber hosts environmental practices seminar in Peterborough on July 17
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Lunch Box Learning seminar takes place from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17th at the Chamber’s boardroom (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Rachel Northey of Pinchin will speak on the topic “Environmental Practices to Manage your Property”.
The seminar is free to attend for members of the Chamber and members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Bring your own lunch.
To register, visit peterboroughchamber.ca.
Innovation Cluster hosts open house in Peterborough on July 26
Innovation Cluster Peterborough & the Kawarthas is hosting an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, July 26th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Member of the public are invited to attend to find out more about the Innovation Cluster.
More information will be available closer to the date of the event.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
