businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.
This week’s business and organizational news includes the federal government investing $1.4 million in Northumberland CFDC’s lending platform for women-owned and women-led enterprises in Eastern Ontario, Nexicom receiving $1 million in federal funding to bring high-speed internet to Douro-Dummer, the Kawartha Chamber announcing the finalists for its 20th Annual Awards of Excellence, and the Peterborough Chamber announcing the finalists for its 16th Annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards.
Also featured this week is Mickaël’s Café Librairie opening a second location in Omemee and the Food Basics grocery store opening in Port Hope.
New regional business events added this week include the Innovation Cluster’s “No Stress Zone: Pilates with the Healthy Sweet Potato” workshop in Peterborough on August 14th (registration is now open), Orangetheory Fitness in Peterborough hosting its grand opening on August 15th, and the launch of the Trent-Severn Trail Town program in Campbellford on August 22nd.
Federal government invests $1.4 million in Northumberland CFDC’s lending platform for women-owned and women-led enterprises in Eastern Ontario
Last Thursday (August 8), Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd announced a $1,436,500 investment in an initiative by Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) to support women-owned and women-led enterprises in Eastern Ontario.
Rudd joined local women entrepreneurs and business leaders at Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre in Cobourg to make the announcement.
The funding will support the development of a financial technologies (FinTech) lending platform called DELIA (Develop Educate Lead Innovate Accelerate) that will provide an easy online application process and instant decisions on commercial loan applications up to $50,000.
“DELIA is about calibrating our lending to innovative, women entrepreneurs using contemporary financial technologies,” says Northumberland CFDC executive director Wendy Curtis. “We will work closely with a cohort of up to 30 high-potential women-led firms in enhancing their competitive development and scale-up through an all-inclusive suite of entrepreneurial support services and training.”
The priority of DELIA will be investment in innovative women-owned and women-led enterprises in Eastern Ontario. Successful recipients will be automatically inducted into a concurrent program providing advisory support services, networking opportunities, accelerator space and entrepreneurial skills development through Venture13.
The objective of the FinTech-driven women’s entrepreneurship program is to close existing service and access to capital gaps in Eastern Ontario, to help to ensure under-represented women successfully start, scale up, and expand their ventures with dedicated financing and strategy support services.
The FinTech lending platform will launch on November 4, 2019.
The funding comes from the federal government’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a $2-billion investment that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025.
For more information and updates about DELIA, visit https://financingandstrategy.com/delia/.
Nexicom receives $1 million in federal funding to bring high-speed internet to Douro-Dummer
On Monday (August 12), Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef announced federal funding of $1 million on behalf of Minister of Rural Economic Development Bernadette Jordan for local telecommunications company Nexicom for high-speed internet in the Township of Douro-Dummer.
Nexicom will also be contributing $334,600 to the initiative, which will bring new or improved internet access and capacity to the residents of Warsaw.
“Nexicom have been part of the Douro-Dummer family for many years and we are very appreciative of their efforts and the generous assistance of the federal government,” says Peterborough County Warden and Douro-Dummer Mayor J. Murray Jones.
The funding comes from the federal government’s “Connect to Innovate” program, which is extending high-speed internet service to more than 900 rural and remote communities.
Kawartha Chamber announces finalists for 20th Annual Awards of Excellence
Last Wednesday (August 7), the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism announced the finalists for its 20th Annual Awards of Excellence:
- Commercial Development or Renovation: Kawartha Lakes Construction, Lock Stop Cafe, Sweet Competition
- Customer Service Excellence: Bell’s Garage, Home Suite Home Transitions, Lang Pioneer Village Museum, Nexicom, Village Pet Food & Supply
- Entrepreneur Innovation: Emily Mae’s Cookies, Entomo Farms, PKA Softtouch Inc., TreeWell
- Not-for-Profit Excellence: BEL Rotary Club, Camp Kawartha, Curve Lake First Nation Cultural Centre, Lakefield Literary Festival, The Canadian Canoe Museum
- Retailer of the Year: Griffin’s Greenhouses, Kingdon Timber Mart, Paris Marine, Village Pet Food & Supply
- Service Sector Excellence: BALL Real Estate, Swanky Events, Whelan’s Flooring Centre
- Tourism/Hospitality Excellence: Scotsman Point Resort, The Kawartha Buttertart Factory, Westwind Inn on the Lake
- Outstanding Business Achievement: Beachwood Resort, Central Smith, Cottage Toys, T. G. Quirk Garage
Finalists have not been announced for two additional categories: Young Professional and Citizen of the Year. The recipients of these awards, along with those of the other categories, will be revealed at the Awards of Excellence & Social Gala on Thursday, October 10th at Lakefield College School in Lakefield.
Peterborough Chamber announces finalists for 16th Annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards
Last Thursday (August 8), the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists for its 16th Annual Peterborough Business Excellence Awards:
- Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inclusive Advisory, Carlson Wagonlit Travel:G. Stewart Travel Services, The Willow Studio
- Skilled Trades: AVIT Manufacturing, Kevin Mooney Construction Ltd., Thompson Machine and Tool
- Tourism: Escape Maze Incorporated, The Friends of Hope Mill, Kawartha Craft Beer Festival
- Retail: Kingdon Timber Mart, Tiny Greens Plant Cafe, Sunderland Co-operative Inc. – Peterborough District
- Professional Services: D.M. Wills Associates Limited, Inclusive Advisory, Lett Architects Inc.
- Customer First:Keene Truck Inc., Showplace Performance Centre, Sunderland Co-operative Inc. – Peterborough District
- Local Focus: Brides United Peterborough, Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre, Peterborough Petes
- Innovation / Research & Development: Campfire Collective, Charlotte Products Ltd., Percheron Plastic Inc.
- Commercial Development or Renovation: Hospice Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes Construction, Weichel & Associates
- Marketing & Promotion: 123DigitalPower by Sofie Andreou & Associates, Mega Experience, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area
- Environmental Practices: GreenUP, Simply Trees, Wild Rock Outfitters Inc.
- Health & Wellness: Horizon Family Naturopathic Clinic, Kawartha Heights Retirement Living, Tiny Greens Plant Cafe
- Not-for-Profit: Alternatives Community Program Services (Peterborough) Inc., The Canadian Canoe Museum, Cuddles for Cancer
- Micro Business – Less than 5 employees: CrossFit PTBO, Hidden Potential Consulting, Renew Medi Spa Peterborough
- Hospitality: Publican House Brewery, Shorelines Casino Peterborough, The StoneHouse Hall
- Employer of the Year: D.M. Wills Associated Limited, Friendly Fires, Lett Architects Inc.
In addition to the finalists, the Chamber announced the 2019 Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year (Mohammad Alftih of (OMG) Oasis Mediterranean Grill), the recipients of the Business Student Leadership Prizes (Joao Borges of Fleming College and Rhode Thomas of Trent University), and the 4-Under-40 Profiles (Dr. Vipin Grover, Brooke Hammer, Grace Reynolds, and Nicole Truman).
The Business Citizen of the Year, along with the recipients of the other categories, will be announced at the Excellence Awards ceremony on Wednesday, October 16th at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough.
Mickaël’s Café Librairie opens a second location in Omemee
Mickaël Durand, owner of Mickaël’s Café Librairie in Lindsay (230 Kent St. W.), has opened a second location in Omemee.
Located at 26 King Street East, right beside (and connected to) the Omemee branch of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library, the boulangerie (French-style bakery) with seating for 20 is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
Originally from Brittany in France, where he operated two bakeries with one of his brothers, Durand emigrated to Canada and eventually settled in Lindsay with his wife and children.
He opened his small cafe and bookstore in Lindsay in 2016, where he focused on crepes and coffee. In 2017, he renovated the location so he could start baking, and now offers a variety of breads, bagels, croissants, pretzels, cookies, brûlée, and more.
At the new Omemee location, he also offers specialty coffees, crepes, and sandwiches.
Food Basics grocery store opens in Port Hope
The new Food Basics grocery store officially opened in Port Hope last Thursday (August 8).
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour was held at the 32,000-square-foot location at 125 Hope Street South, which was previously a Metro store that closed in the spring.
Food Basics vice-president of operations John Manax, Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson, and Deputy Mayor Les Andrews were among the attendees.
Food Basics is the discount brand of Metro, with more than 130 stores across Ontario.
FastStart Peterborough hosts “Goodbye Summer, Hello Entrepreneurship” seminar in Peterborough on August 13
The next FastStart E-Connect seminar, “Goodbye Summer, Hello Entrepreneurship!”, takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13th at the Silver Bean Cafe in Millennium Park (1130 King St., Peterborough).
Donna Floyd, founder and CEO of Cottage Toys, and Jillian Scates, sales and operations analyst with Central Smith Creamery, will discuss family business and working in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
FastStart Peterborough is a partnership between Trent University, Fleming College, and the Innovation Cluster.
The event is free, but registration is requested at eventbrite.com/e/e-connect-goodbye-summer-hello-entrepreneurship-tickets-64432741063
Innovation Cluster hosts “Hands-ON: Maintaining Mindfulness as an Entrepreneur” workshops in Peterborough starting on August 14
On Wednesdays in August, the Innovation Cluster is hosting “Hands-ON: Maintaining Mindfulness as an Entrepreneur”, a three-part series emphasizing mindfulness for entrepreneurs.
“No Stress Zone: Pilates with the Healthy Sweet Potato” is a Pilates class at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough) on August 14th, followed by “Managing Stress and Burnout with Legendary Coaching” on August 21st, and “Pause for Paws – Therapy Dogs” on August 28th, when East Central Therapy Dogs will bring in volunteers to do an hour of de-stressing with their dogs.
All workshops (which are free) will have a limited amount of space and registration is mandatory.
Registration is now open for the first session on August 14th, at www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-maintaining-mindfulness-as-an-entrepreneur-20-pilates-tickets-64320008878
Orangetheory Fitness in Peterborough hosts grand opening on August 15
Orangetheory Fitness in Peterborough is hosting a grand opening celebration from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 15th at its location at 1905 Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough.
The Peterborough franchise, independantly owned by Katie Wheler, opened for VIP members on August 2nd.
Members and staff will be at the studio for a celebration and meet and greet, featuring a photo booth, snacks, and beverages.
Port Hope Young Professionals and Port Hope Chamber host a “house party” in Port Hope on August 16
Port Hope Young Professionals and the Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce are hosting a “house party” starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 16th at the Penryn Mansion at the Port Hope Golf & Country Club (82 Victoria St. S., Port Hope).
The free event for the Port Hope business community will feature live music from Chris Devlin and a special guest (presented by the Brown Bag Tour Co.), local food, a cash bar, and more.
Venture13 hosts The Employer Event in Cobourg on August 20
The Community Employment Resource Partnership, Northumberland County, and the millennial team of Canada Summer Jobs students at the Community Training and Development Centre are presenting “The Employer Event” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20th in the lecture hall at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The focus of the event is how to recruit, retain, and train millennials (employees aged 20 to 45) who, by 2025, will make up 75 per cent of the workforce. You will learn information from experts in recruitment, retention, and training, explore a variety of techniques and resource, and discover innovative ideas, insights, and strategies.
If you are an employer interested in the event, RSVP by August 9th by emailing theemployerevent2019@outlook.com.
Trent-Severn Trail Town program launches in Campbellford on August 22
Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RT08) will be launching Canada’s first waterway “Trail Town” program at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 22nd at Trent-Severn Waterway Locks 11-12 (15 Trent Dr., Campbellford).
The Trent-Severn Trail Town program celebrates the Trent-Severn Waterway and Kawarthas Northumbeeland, while supporting small businesses along the waterway and sustainbly building tourism. The program will connect communities, foster pride of place, embrace visitors, and elevate the region.
Participating communities to date are Campbellford, Hastings, Lakefield, Buckhorn, Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Coboconk, and Rosedale.
Stay tuned for coverage by kawarthaNOW.com on launch day.
Comfort Keepers Peterborough hosts its grand opening in Peterborough on August 22
Comfort Keepers Peterborough will be hosting a grand opening from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 22nd at Peterborough Business Hub (398 McDonnel St., Peterborough).
Corey and Alyssa Rowe are the owners of the local franchise, which offers senior care, dementia/Alzheimer care, personal care and grooming, meal preparation, transportation services, palliative and end-of-life care, new mother services, brain injury support, post-surgery or car accident support, and more.
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and light refreshments will be available.
For more information on Comfort Keepers Peterborough, visit www.comfortkeepers.ca/peterborough/.
Bancroft Chamber hosting Mineral Collecting Tours now until August 31
The Bancroft & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting Mineral Collecting Tours now until Saturday, August 31st at various locations in Hastings County.
Registration is held at 9 a.m. at the Chamber office (51 Hastings St. N., Bancroft) on the day of each tour, with tours departing at 9:30 a.m. The tours take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with each tour lasting around five hours.
Participants are responsible for their own equipment (mandatory safety glasses and closed-in footwear and rockhounding equipment) and transportation. The cost is $17 for adults, $12 for youth aged 16 and under, or $50 for a family of up to five people. Additional fees are required for specific sites.
For a tour schedule and more information, visit www.bancroftdistrict.com/bancroft-nature-discovery-tours/.
Haliburton Highlands Chamber hosts The Breakfast Club in Dysart et al on September 10
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting The Breakfast Club from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10th at Abbey Retreat Centre (1150 Garden Gate Dr., Dysart et al).
The guest speaker is John Purkis, senior associate with The Natural Step Canada, who will speak on the topic “Incorporating Environmental Sustainability Into Your Organization”. Purkis is a sustainability expert, facilitator, and systems change specialist who works with municipal governments and other organizations in Canada and around the world to implement sustainability into their operations and planning.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=lu6q9flab&oeidk=a07eghi9i7db8ca279d.
Kawartha Chamber hosts Business After Hours in Apsley on September 19
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its next Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 19th in Apsley.
More details will be provided closer to the event date.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
