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 news features the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre supporting six local entrepreneurs with Starter Company Plus funding, Watson & Lou winning first place in the annual Holiday Decorated Window Contest organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), and the Ontario government investing $1.5 million in the aviation and aerospace sector in the Kawarthas.
Other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas includes a ground-breaking ceremony for Hampton Inn Port Hope, the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism accepting board of director nominations, Wild Rock Outfitters opening a new cycling training centre in downtown Peterborough, Harmony Hair Care in Peterborough winning a Contessa Award, Kelly Isfan being announced as the new president and CEO of Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, the opening of Lakefield 24 Hour Fitness, and Grady’s Feet Essentials of Peterborough making a donation to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.
New regional business events added this week include the Port Hope Chamber’s Young Professionals group hosting a holiday social in Port Hope on December 12th, Hospice Peterborough hosting a holiday meet and greet in Peterborough on December 19th, and the Innovation Cluster hosting a holiday showcase in Peterborough on December 19th.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre supports six local entrepreneurs with Starter Company Plus funding
Last Thursday (December 5), the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre announced six local entrepreneurs who will receive a total of $30,000 in funding in the December 2019 intake of the Starter Company Plus program.
Funded by the Ontario government and administered through the Business Advisory Centre, Starter Company Plus supports entrepreneurs in starting, growing, or acquiring a business. Participants take a series of workshops to support the creation of a formalized business plan, culminating in the chance to pitch for competitive grant dollars.
The following six entrepreneurs each received a $5,000 micro-grant to help them grow their businesses:
- Anna Perry of Your Second Family (Peterborough) – Your Second Family provides respite services to individuals with developmental and/or physical disabilities in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
- Kristin Cole of Kawartha Complete Care (Peterborough) – Kawartha Complete Care provides in-home care and nursing services to seniors and those wishing to remain in their homes, serving both Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes.
- Sonja Martin of Rooted Lavender (Peterborough) – With over 25 years in the field, Rooted Lavender uniquely offers mindfulness, yoga, and behavioural consultation to families, communities, and educators, also supporting children on the autism spectrum.
- Katelin Turcotte of Wilde Beauty (Peterborough) – Trained at The North American School of Podology, Wilde Beauty offers non-invasive, non-medical, safe and aesthetically pleasing pedicures.
- Brett Pritchard of B&B Game Designs (Selwyn Township) – B&B Game Designs is an innovative 3D design company, bringing 3D design and print services to the local and global tabletop games world.
- Nicole Cooke of Organized by Design (Selwyn Township) – Organized by Design offers professional organizing solutions for residential and commercial clients.
“This program is generating results for our community and strengthening our region as a destination for small business,” explains Madeleine Hurrell, the Business Advisory Centre economic development officer who oversees the program. “Since this program began in March 2017, we have seen over 122 entrepreneurs supported through the program, with $200,000 grant dollars announced.”
Since 2017, Starter Company Plus has resulted in the creation of 65 startups and supported 37 business expansions. The program has also seen the opening of 15 bricks-and-mortar locations in the region and has created 140 jobs in the local community.
Watson & Lou wins first place in annual Peterborough DBIA Holiday Decorated Window Contest
Creative hub Watson & Lou (383 Water St., Peterborough) has won first place the 2019 annual Holiday Decorated Window Contest organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DIBA).
As the first place winners, owners Erin Watson and Anna Eidt receive a $1,000 prize.
“We are so thrilled to receive first place this year,” Watson says. “We always strive for fun and creative windows that not only represent us, but this wonderful, creative, and inclusive community we live in. This window was a labour of love with Anna’s artistic talent and my patience with a jigsaw and drywall cutter.”
The second place winner (receiving $500) was The Art School of Peterborough (174A Charlotte St., Peterborough) and the third place winner (receiving $200) was Dodrio Anime Café (404 George St. N., Peterborough). Honourable mention went to The Boardwalk Board Game Lounge (261 George St. N., Peterborough.
The winners were chosen through more than 2,500 online votes combined with by guest judges from Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School visual arts program who toured the displays. A total of 47 downtown businesses participated in the contest, more than double last year.
“The creativity displayed by the winners was outstanding,” says Peterborough DBIA executive director Terry Guiel. “It’s great to see so many businesses participating this year and I’d like to thank them for making our downtown look great. Thanks as well to our downtown patrons who got into the spirit of it and cast their votes online.”
Ontario government invests $1.5 million in the aviation and aerospace sector in the Kawarthas
Last Friday (December 6) at The Loomex Group in Peterborough, Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s minister of labour, training and skills development, announced the Ontario government will invest more than $1.5 million over two years in the aviation and aerospace sector in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland.
The new training partnership will create up to 100 local training and career opportunities for incumbent workers and job seekers. Fleming College will work with local employers such as Flying Colours Corp., Safran Electronics and Defence Canada, The Loomex Group, and Team Eagle Ltd to develop and implement a training curriculum tailored to the talent needs of employers from the local aviation and aerospace sector.
“Governments and employers need colleges to provide them with graduates who have the knowledge and skills they need to increase productivity and contribute to innovation in Canada,” says Fleming College president Maureen Adamson. “Fleming College is very proud to be part of this announcement and work alongside industry partners to train local talent and provide the skills industry needs to put jobs first,”
The training program will teach job-specific skills that help the trainees to find and keep stable employment in the sector, including in avionics/electrical installation, airport management, aviation consulting, and shipping/receiving. The training will take place at the Loomex facilities at the Peterborough Municipal Airport and is expected to begin January 6, 2020.
“By investing in this program, the Government of Ontario will build on previous initiatives that have made the aerospace and aviation sector a significant and growing employment and economic driver for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland and beyond,” says The Loomex Group president and CEO Trent Gervais.
Ontario’s aerospace sector employs more than 22,000 people across more than 200 companies, with has annual revenues over $6 billion.
“This project has the potential to unlock further economic growth in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes. and Northumberland Region,” says Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith. “With the job and training opportunities created here, local companies will get the talent they need succeed, expand and create further jobs down the road. That’s great news for our region.”
Other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas
Here’s a summary of other notable business and organizational news from across the Kawarthas over the past week:
- A ground-breaking reception and ceremony for the new four-story 82-room Hampton Inn Port Hope at 100 Henderson Street in Port Hope will take place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 19th at Trade Tech Industries (80 Henderson St., Port Hope). The ceremony and reception will be followed by a “shovel in the ground” photo op at the hotel site at 3:15 p.m..
- The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is accepting nominations for its 2020-21 board of directors, with a deadline of January 7th for completed nominations.
- Wild Rock Outfitters has opened a new 24/7 cycling training centre at 160 Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough (directly across the street from Wild Rock), featuring a cycling gym with 16 bike trainers and a large projection screen, a co-ed locker room with individual changing rooms and lockers, and secure bike storage on the premises.
- Harmony Hair Care in Peterborough recently won the Canadian Salon Team award at 31st annual Contessa Awards gala in Toronto, organized by Salon Magazine.
- Kelly Isfan is the new president and CEO of Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, effective April 1, 2020. Isfan was most recently president and CEO of the Norfolk General and West Haldimand General Hospitals, and was previously president and CEO at Campbellford Memorial Hospital.
- Lakefield 24 Hour Fitness (57 Queen St., Lakefield) held its official opening on Monday, December 2nd.
- Grady’s Feet Essentials of Peterborough recently donated $1,300 worth of socks and footwear to support the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Holiday Gift Program.
VIDEO: Wild Rock Cycling Training Facility
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre hosts new venture session in Peterborough on December 10
The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre is hosting a New Venture Session from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10th in the board room at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Designed for entrepreneurs starting a new business, the session will provide an overview of the foundations of starting and running a business, resources and programs available to entrepreneurs in Peterborough & the Kawarthas, working with the Business Advisory Centre and building a plan of action for your business, and completing the start-up checklist.
The session is free, but registration is requested at eventbrite.ca/e/new-venture-session-tickets-83168305641.
Northumberland Chamber hosts annual Christmas meet and greet in Cobourg on December 10
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Christmas meet and greet from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10th at Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).
Open to all local business people, the event is free but advance registration is required at nccofc.ca/events/details/christmas-meet-greet-2638.
Innovation Cluster hosts hands-on workshop on digital marketing in Peterborough on December 11
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting a workshop called “Hands-ON: Digital Marketing Strategies” from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
Presented by strADegy.ca, the workshop will cover the big marketing problem organizations face, how consumers discover and purchase what they need in today’s “always on” digital economy, the sales mistake businesses make and how to avoid it, and a six-step digital marketing strategy.
The workshop is free, but registration is required at eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-digital-marketing-strategies-tickets-76126886567
Kawartha Lakes Construction hosts Kawartha Chamber’s Business After Hours Holiday Social in Lakefield on December 11
Kawartha Lakes Construction is hosting the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s annual Business After Hours Holiday Social from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th at Kawartha Lakes Construction (3359 Lakefield Rd., Lakefield).
This drop-in celebration of the season is also a networking event.
Guests are asked to bring a monetary donation for the Peterborough Humane Society or one of the items on the society’s wish list at peterboroughhumanesociety.ca/wishlist/.
Haliburton Chamber hosts lunch-time fraud and scams seminar in Haliburton on December 12
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Lunch & Learn – Avoiding Fraud and Scams” from 12 to 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th at the Chamber office (195 Highland St., Haliburton).
Richard Wannan, branch manager at Haliburton BMO, will speak about how to avoid fraud and scams. A light lunch will be served.
The seminar is free for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egp8ukdm13d38573.
Kawartha Conservation hosts agricultural conference in Lindsay on December 13
Kawartha Conservation is hosting an agricultural conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, December 13th at the Ops Community Centre (2569 Highway 7, Lindsay).
The theme of the conference is “Working Together to Improve Soil and Water Quality on the Farm”. Funding opportunities for projects that support water quality and soil health will also be presented.
The day will feature a variety of speakers and updates from a variety of organizations and government officials.
Attendees will learn about what farmers in southwestern Ontario are doing to address water quality with a presentation from Charles Lalonde of the Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative. The presentation will focus on an overview of the phosphorus challenge for food production, the pathways and timing for phosphorus runoff into our waters and efforts to remediate agricultural impacts.
Kawartha Conservation’s Water Quality Specialist will provide an update on the state of the Kawartha watershed, and Kawartha Conservation’s Agricultural Stewardship technician will provide information on cost sharing funding opportunities for farmers, while local farmer Bernard Leahy will speak about his water quality improvement project and his experience with applying for cost sharing funding programs.
Updates from organizations including Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will also take place.
In the afternoon, a discussion panel will provide an opportunity to discuss specific issues with peers and experts.
Tickets are $25 plus HST and include the full day of speakers and presenters as well as a hot BBQ chicken lunch.
To register, visit events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egntpjs8b9afee25 or contact Emily Johnston at 705.328.2271 ext. 242 or ejohnston@kawarthaconservation.com.
Port Hope Chamber Young Professionals host Holiday Social in Port Hope on December 12
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals group is hosting a holiday social from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th at Local No90 (90 Mill St. N., Port Hope).
There will be prizes for best “Christmasy” outfit and an optional Secret Santa game ($15 buy local if you choose to participate).
Local No90 will be offering drink and food specials for the event.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts holiday open house in Campbellford on December 13
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a holiday open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, December 13th at its office (51 Grand Rd., Campbellford).
Drop in for some festive holiday treats and enter your name in a draw for a $100 gift certificate to the Trent Hills Chamber member of your choice.
Hospice Peterborough hosts holiday meet and greet in Peterborough on December 19
Hospice Peterborough is hosting a holiday meet and greet in from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, December 19th at Hospice Peterborough (325 London St., Peterborough).
Hajni Hos will share her thoughts on her first 100 days as executive director of Hospice Peterborough.
Innovation Cluster hosts holiday showcase in Peterborough on December 19
The Innovation Cluster is hosting a holiday showcase from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 19th at The Cube in VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).
You will have an opportunity to tour The Cube and meet Innovation Cluster clients as they showcase their businesses. You will also be able to see additions since the Innovation Cluster’s previous public event, including a sneak peek at the new Fleming College Experiential Learning Makerspace launching in 2020.
There will be light appetizers, as well as a cash bar available throughout the duration of the event.
The event is free, but registration would be appreciated at eventbrite.com/e/innovation-cluster-holiday-showcase-tickets-83662971199.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
