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 Smart City Readiness Project aiming to help Peterborough become a “Smart City”, the federal and provincial governments investing $134,000 in Berry Growers of Ontario, the Innovation Cluster partnering with Peterborough Utilities Group to expand cleantech in Peterborough, SGS Lakefield raising $1,250 for Hospice Peterborough, and Church Key Brewing owner John Graham selling Church Key Pub & Grindhouse in Campbellford.
Also featured this week are Millbrook apiary Hunnabees Honey & Co.’s new extraction system, Heather Doughty Photography’s new studio in downtown Peterborough, Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. temporarily closing its Bottle Shop to focus on construction of brewhouse and taproom, and the Haliburton Chamber announcing a change to senior staff leadership.
New regional business events added this week include Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre presenting business information sessions in Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, and Bobcaygeon from September 10th to 24th, the Peterborough DBIA breakfast network with Su Ditta in Peterborough on September 18th, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce presenting “Scaling Up Small Business” in Peterborough on September 27th, and Venture13 presenting a Fireside Chat on Technology Adaptation and Healthcare in Cobourg on October 7th.
Smart City Readiness Project aims to help Peterborough become a “Smart City”
A working group called the Smart City Readiness Project has been established to help the City of Peterborough enter the Smart Cities Challenge, a competition held by Infrastructure Canada that is open to all municipalities, local or regional governments, and Indigenous communities across Canada.
The Smart Cities Challenge empowers communities to address local issues such as sustainability and economic growth through new partnerships and a smart city approach. A smart city is a municipality that uses information and communication technologies to increase its operational efficiency, share information with the public, and improve both the quality of government services and the welfare of its residents.
Smart Cities Challenge finalists will receive support to develop their smart cities proposals, with winning communities awarded up to $50 million to help implement their programs.
The Smart City Readiness Project working group includes the City of Peterborough, Ashburnham Realty, Lett Studio, Outpost379, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development, Trent University, CAEH, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), Evergreen, and Future Cities Canada.
Peterborough DBIA is hosting an information summit to kick off the project from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough). The summit features leading minds in urban innovation and city building, including Paul Bedford (former chief planner for the City of Toronto), Alex Speigel (partner, Windmill Development Group), and Anthea Foyer (Project Lead Smart Cities, City of Mississauga).
The information summit is free and open to the public. Register at eventbrite.com/e/smart-city-readiness-summit-tickets-71531050297.
For more information about the Smart City Readiness Project, visit smartcityptbo.ca.
Federal and provincial governments invest $134,000 in Berry Growers of Ontario
The federal and provincial governments have announced more than $134,000 in funding to help the Berry Growers of Ontario access markets, monitor soil health, and expand their knowledge of crop production.
Funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the governments are investing in three projects: $111,619 to create a website, promotional videos and marketing materials to promote the Ontario berry industry and increase awareness of their products; $20,800 to test drone technology to measure acreage of berry crops and gather plant health information; and $2,000 to develop, promote and host a strawberry production workshop for growers in Ontario to help build their knowledge.
“The Berry Growers of Ontario are glad to hear that the Governments of Canada and Ontario have offered to support our industry through the partnership,” says Berry Growers of Ontario vice chair Morris Gervais. “The funding will be welcome in support of our website and marketing, as well as our spring production workshop and our innovative research into drone technology.”
Berry Growers of Ontario represents more than 200 growers in the berry industry, including five growers in the Kawarthas: McLean Berry Farm in Lakefield, Moore Orchards in Cobourg, Brouwer’s Strawberries in Oakwood, Lindsay Berries in Reaboro, and The Berry Patch in Cavan.
Innovation Cluster partners with Peterborough Utilities Group to expand cleantech in Peterborough
Peterborough Utilities Group Services Corporation vice president Pat Devlin and Innovation Cluster president and CEO John Gillis have signed an agreement to work together in a partnership to help bring in new technologies and startups for the water/wastewater market in the Peterborough community.
The two organizations will bring together a network of private industries, municipalities, and startups in the water/wastewater market in Ontario.
“Through this partnership, we are looking forward to attracting more startups into the Peterborough community,” Gillis says. “Peterborough is becoming more recognized for its available cleantech resources, such as research laboratories and mentors that new companies search for.”
The Innovation Cluster has been focusing on supporting startups in the clean technology sector, recently launching its H2O makerspace that provides resources for water and wastewater-focused companies. The organization was also highlighted in the 2018 Water Canada Magazine feature that named Peterborough as the best place in Ontario and the second best place in Canada to launch a water technology startup.
“Peterborough Utilities is dedicated to providing the Peterborough area with safe and reliable water and wastewater services, and we are excited to be partnering with the Innovation Cluster to further our support to the water market,” Devlin says.
SGS Lakefield raises $1,250 for Hospice Peterborough
SGS Lakefield employees have donated $1,250 to Hospice Peterborough, representing funds raised through the Hydrometallurgy Group BBQ.
This gift was to support their supplier and friend Tom Rowden, in honour and memory of his wife Pauline Rowden, who recently passed away at Hospice Peterborough in the end-of-life residence.
“We are so fortunate to have this kind of a facility in our community,” says Rowden. “It was like we were being welcomed by family. We were treated with such kindness and dignity, the staff were all wonderful and comforting to our family during the worst time. My wife Pauline, was treated with the respect she deserved. Hospice continues to help me deal with my grief and I feel a strong bond here.”
SGS Lakefield is part of a global network and the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, with more than 97,000 employees operating in over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
Church Key Brewing owner John Graham sells Church Key Pub & Grindhouse in Campbellford
Last Wednesday (September 4), Church Key Brewing founder John Graham announced on Facebook that he is turning over Church Key Pub & Grindhouse to restaurateur Mark Andrade.
Graham, who has owned the pub for the past 11 years, says the change will “let us focus on the Church Key Brewery and evolving beer scene.”
The new owner will honour all previously booked musicians, according to Graham.
“I would like to thank all the patrons and musicians that have warmed our wee pub over the years,” Graham writes.
Graham started brewing in 1989 in Aurora and went on to become a shift brewer and filter operator at Amsterdam Brewery in Toronto. In 1999, he purchased an 1878 Methodist church in Campbellford and founded Church Key Brewing Company.
Millbrook apiary Hunnabees Honey & Co. has new extraction system
Millbrook apiary Hunnabees Honey & Co. has completed their new extraction room, with extraction line installed and operating.
This means they can now extract, bottle, label, ship, and produce wax product in the same location.
The company is now booking limited honey extractions for the season. If you need honey extracted, you can use their 52-frame extraction line, featuring a deboxer, jiggle knife uncapper, a settling clarifier, and two frequency pumps running on a float system.
A minimum of 60 boxes of honey is required (smaller quantities can be processed on their 20-frame extration line).
Email them now at info@hunnabees.com for more information about pricing, as the system will only be operational for the next few weeks.
Hunabees is now also working to complete its storefront so it can soft open soon.
Heather Doughty Photography has a new studio in downtown Peterborough
Heather Doughty of Heather Doughty Photography has a new studio in downtown Peterborough.
The studio is located in the Commerce Building at the northwest corner of Water and Hunter streets.
The Commerce Building, which was purchased in 2017 by Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty, houses the studios of many Peterborough artists and artisans and is a regular stop of the First Friday Art Crawl.
Doughty is the founder of and photographer for Inspire – The Women’s Portrait Project.
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co. temporarily closes Bottle Shop to focus on construction of brewhouse and taproom
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co., which recently opened a Bottle Shop retail store, has announced it is temporarily closing the store to focus on finishing construction of the new brewhouse and taproom.
“With a crew of only four, working hard to realize our vision for the community of Fenelon Falls, we’re committed to bringing you the complete Fenelon Brew Co. experience — not just the Bottle Shop — as soon as possible. We decided to pick up the construction pace and to ensure the safety of our customers we need to temporarily close the retail Bottle Shop.”
While the brewhouse vessels are in place, steam pipes and fermentor pipes still need to be installed as well as other components to support the brewing process.
Haliburton Chamber announces change to senior staff leadership
The Board of Directors of the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce has announced a change to the title and job description of the chamber’s staff lead.
Jennifer Locke, previously manager, is now executive director.
“This change will bring a modern and strategic focus to the organization and will represent a level of professionalism that better reflects the scope of work required to maintain relevancy and value to its membership,” the board states in a media release.
The Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the change at its September 3rd meeting.
Locke joined the Chamber in May 2018 after earning Master’s degrees in sustainability in both Ontario and Saskatchewan, where she specifically focused on Canadian corporate sustainability. She is a graduate of the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, and an alumni of Western University and the University of Saskatchewan.
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce has over 270 active member organizations across the Haliburton Highlands.
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre presents business information sessions in Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, and Bobcaygeon from September 10 to 24
Kawartha Lakes Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre is presenting a series of free business information sessions in Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, and Bobcaygeon from September 10 to 24.
The sessions are for budding entrepreneurs considering opening their own small business, existing business owners looking at expansion, or those planning on purchasing a business in Kawartha Lakes. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the new Starter Company Plus program that will be launching in Kawartha Lakes in October 2019. The Starter Company Plus program provides business training, mentoring, and the opportunity of qualify for a small business grant of up to $4,000.
The sessions takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10th at the Lindsay Library, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17th at the Fenelon Falls Community Centre, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 19th at the Bobcaygeon Municipal Office, and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24th at the Lindsay Library
Register at eventbrite.ca/e/starting-point-information-seminars-starter-company-plus-tickets-70330960797.
Substance abuse and addiction information session for employers in Peterborough on September 11
The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council is hosting an employer education information session about substance abuse and addiction from 8 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at the Peterborough Chamber Of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
The free information session will feature guest speaker Paul Schauber, the case management and intake program manager for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Peterborough location. He will be delivering a presentation that highlights best practices for employers to navigate the issue of substance abuse and addictions in the workplace.
A webinar will be available for those unavailable to attend in person (details will be provided upon registration).
Register at seventbrite.ca/e/employer-education-series-substance-abuse-addiction-information-session-tickets-68468550277.
Agilec hosts a multi-employer hiring event in Peterborough on September 11
Agilec is hosting a multi-employer hiring event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Northminster United Church (300 Sunset Blvd., Peterborough).
If you are an employer and would like to register, contact Arlayna Curtin at 705-740-2577 x5210 or acurtin@agilec.ca.
Enactus Fleming College presents entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé in Peterborough on September 11
Enactus Fleming College, a non-profit organization that encourages youth entrepreneurship in the community, is presenting entrepreneur Richard L’Abbé from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11th at Fleming College (599 Brealey Dr., Peterborough).
L’Abbé, winner of 2003 CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal and 2008 Business Person of the Year by the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, began his company Med-Eng in 1981 and since then has held over 80 per cent of the global share market within his industry. He will speak on the topic “How to Grow a Startup into a Multi-Million-Dollar Business.”
Fleming College’s VP of Academic Experience Tom Phillips will provide opening remarks, and there will be a question-and-answer period as well as a networking portion for attendees. Light refreshments will be provided.
The free event is open to students and community members, but you must register at eventbrite.com/e/how-to-grow-a-startup-into-a-multi-million-dollar-business-tickets-68803397815 to reserve your seats.
Community Futures Peterborough hosting business focus groups in Peterborough on September 12
Community Futures Peterborough is hosting focus groups for business owners and entrepreneurs in the City and County of Peterborough on Thursday, September 12th in the boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
The goal is to find where gaps exist in business supports, services, and programming.
The first focus group, for business startups and those operating for fewer than five years, takes place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The second focus group, for businesss operating more than five years, takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The focus groups are free. For more information and to register, email heather@cfpeterborough.ca.
Lindsay Chamber of Commerce presents networking event at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore on September 12
The Lindsay & District Chamber Of Commerce is presenting a networking event from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 12th at Habitat for Humanity Lindsay ReStore (55 Angeline St. N., Lindsay).
Enjoy an afternoon of networking while you learn about Habitat for Humanity and the ReStore in Lindsay. Refreshments will be available.
To RSVP, email Sara at sarag@habitatpkr.ca.
Peterborough DBIA breakfast network with Su Ditta in Peterborough on September 18
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) is hosting its next breakfast network meeting from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18th at Empress Gardens (131 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
Guest speaker Su Ditta, executive director of Electric City Culture Council (EC3), will bring an illustrated talk offering a behind the scenes look at the arts scene in Peterborough and its impact on our social, economic, and cultural vitality.
Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. with the guest speaker at 8 a.m.
The event is open to everyone. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Peterborough Chamber hosts digital marketing seminar in Peterborough on September 18
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Lunch Box Learning seminar takes place from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18th at the Chamber’s boardroom (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Toby Macleod of Stradegy.ca will speak about implementing your business’s digital marketing strategy.
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.
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.
Stops so far include Anstruther Marina (Highway 28 & McFadden Rd.), Four Seasons on Wellington (next to Apsley Home Hardware), and North Kawartha Community Centre (340 McFadden Rd.).
Register at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/details/business-after-hours-apsley-hop-10697.
Bobcaygeon Chamber hosts Stoney Lake evening cruise for members in Woodview on September 23
The Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting an evening cruise for its members from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, September 23rd at Stoney Lake Cruises (610 Julian Viamede Rd., Woodview).
Network with fellow members while enjoying the spectacular scenery of Stoney Lake from Stoney Lake Cruises’ Spirit of the Kawarthas.
Snacks will be provided and a cash bar will be available.
The cost is $25+HST per person. Register at www.bobcaygeon.org/event-3536672/Registration.
Community Futures Peterborough hosts financial workshop in Peterborough on September 24
Community Futures Peterborough is hosting “Financial Foundations”, a workshop from 8:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24th in the boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
At this workshop, entrepreneurs and those interested in starting a business will learn about federal and provincial funding, local resources available, and how to enter the Company Startup Plus program. Keynote speaker Marie Dietrich, partner at Grant Thorton, will discuss the top five common mistakes young companies make.
The workshop is free, but registration is requested at www.facebook.com/events/1643251439138969/.
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace information session in Lindsay on September 26
The Workforce Development Board/Local Employment Planning Council, in partnership with the Lindsay DBIA and the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce, is hosting an information session on diversity and inclusion in the workplace from 8 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 26th at Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lindsay (134 Angeline St. S., Lindsay).
The free session will feature guest speaker Lindsay Kretschmer, executive director of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council. Her areas of expertise include Indigenous social justice issues and well being, provincial and federal negotiations, program and training development, research and evaluation, policy and advocacy, and capacity and partnership building.
A webinar will be available for those unavailable to attend in person (details will be provided upon registration).
To register, visit eventbrite.ca/e/employer-education-series-diversity-inclusion-information-session-tickets-68623537849.
FLEX Fitness and AW Media Consulting host fall refresh women’s networking event in Lindsay on September 26
Cathy Steffler of FLEX Fitness and Ashley Webster of AW Media Consulting are hosting a fall refresh women’s networking event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 26th at FLEX Fitness (66 William St. N., Lindsay).
The event features networking and conversation with like-minded business women along with wine and chocolate. Ashley Webster owner of AW Media Consulting will provide a 45-minute hands-on social media workshop focused on Instagram and Facebook, covering social media best practices, handling negative comments and reviews, social media advertising, building your brand online, and technical tips.
FLEX Fitness is a child-friendly space with a play area, so children are welcome.
The cost is $40 and includes one glass of wine, chocolate treats, and the social media workshop. To register, visit eventbrite.ca/e/fall-refresh-womens-networking-event-tickets-69820132897.
Ontario Chamber of Commerce presents “Scaling Up Small Business” in Peterborough on September 27
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is presenting “Scaling Up Small Business”, a regional panel discussion and report launch event, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, September 27th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
The event will bring together private and public sector stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges related to growing a business in Ontario. Ontario Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Prabmeet Sarkaria will make remarks, followed by a keynote presentation by Diane Richard, Director of Product Development, Charlotte Products. A panel discussion moderated by Derek Newton (Assistant Vice President, Innovation Partnerships and Entrepreneurship, University of Toronto) will feature Rhonda Keenan (President and CEO, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development), Dylan Trepanier ( CEO, Alexander Optical), and John Porter (President and CEO, BarterPay).
The event is free. Register at eventbrite.ca/e/scaling-up-small-businesses-registration-68296656137.
Local business organizations host members-only all-candidates debate on economic growth and development in Peterborough on September 30
Local business organizations are hosting a members-only all-candidates debate on economic growth and development from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Monday, September 30th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough).
This event is hosted by the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Association of Realtors, Peterborough and the Kawarthas Homebuilders Association, Kawartha Manufacturers’ Association, Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, and the Peterborough and District Construction Association.
For more information and to register, visit www.peterboroughchamber.ca.
Venture13 hosts TechXpo Cybersecurity Challenge in Cobourg on October 5
The TechXpo Cybersecurity Challenge takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 5th at Venture13 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
This event is part of the global CyberLympics, sponsored by SiberX, Durham College AI-Hub, and Venture13. The purpose of the event is to encourage developers to bring forward innovative ideas for cybersecurity applications that are technically feasible and commercially viable.
Teams will have one day to advance their concepts and pitch them to a panel of experts. Mentors and advisors will be available to help teams rapidly iterate their concepts and prepare a pitch presentation to the judges. The winner of the TechXpo Cybersecurity Challenge and the $1,000 cash team prize will be announced at the Cyberlympics finale at Durham College on October 26th, 2019.
TechXpo is sponsored by Venture13 VentureZone Members Eagle Aerospace and ConnexHealth Inc. and the Cobourg Police Service.
For more information and to register, visit www.cobourg.ca/en/venture-13/techxpo.aspx.
Venture13 presents Fireside Chat on Technology Adaptation and Healthcare in Cobourg on October 7
Venture13 is presenting its next Fireside Chat, on the topic “Technology Adaptation and Healthcare”, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, October 7th in the Innovation Commons at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg)
Sponsored by ConnexHealth, the free event features a keynote by Dr. Mukesh Bhargava (Chief of Staff, Northumberland Hills Hospital) and a panel discussion led by practitioners, innovators, and policy leaders, moderated by Rhonda Cunningham (Director, Northumberland CFDC and Executive Director, Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation).
To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/fireside-chat-technology-adaptation-and-healthcare-tickets-71555332927.
Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland in Cobourg on October 10
The second annual Business & Entrepreneurship Conference Northumberland takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).
Presented by Northumberland County, Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, Destination Ontario, and Kawarthas Northumberland, the one-day high-level business growth conference is designed to educate, motivate, and promote collaboration.
Keynote speakers include Ron Tsang on the topic “Influential Communication for Entrepreneurs” and Andrew Patrico on the topic “How to Cost and Price Your Products and Services Profitably”.
The cost is $45+HST, which includes breakfast and lunch.
For the full agenda and to register, visit www.becn.ca/conference/.
Kawartha Chamber hosts Awards of Excellence and Social Gala in Lakefield on October 10
The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is hosting its 20th Annual Awards of Excellence and Social Gala from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th at Lakefield College School (4391 County Rd. 29, Lakefield).
There will be a silent and live auction, light hor d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a social hour for networking in Upper Hadden Hall before the presentation of the awards in the Bryan Jones Theatre.
Tickets are available for $50 per person at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/details/awards-of-excellence-social-gala-10424.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
