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 two Peterborough natives — Jim Balsillie and Mike Greenley — who are involved in a $1-billion deal to repatriate MDA Corporation (the Canadian space robotics company that built the Canadarm), two farmers’ markets in downtown Peterborough announcing a new partnership, and Scotiabank Port Hope employees, clients, and customers donating five boxes of items for The Rose Project.
Also featured this week is Publican House Brewery marketing director Kim Cranfield launching her own marketing and events company, the opening of applications for the next intake of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Starter Company Plus program, and other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas
New regional business events added this week include Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosting a new venture session in Peterborough on January 7th, the Haliburton Chamber hosting a breakfast session on mental health in the workplace in Haliburton on January 14th, the Innovation Cluster and and Cleantech Commons hosting Electric City Talks with Jason Wight in Peterborough on January 14th, the Trent Hills Chamber hosting a Trent-Severn Trail Town information session in Hastings on January 16th, Kawartha Lakes CFDC hosting Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario information sessions in Lindsay and Fenelon Falls on January 28th and 29th, and more.
Two Peterborough natives involved in $1-billion deal to repatriate Canadian space robotics company that built the Canadarm
Two Peterborough natives are involved in a $1-billion deal announced on Monday (December 30) that will bring back into Canadian hands MDA Corporation — the space robotics company behind the Canadarm.
A consortium led by Toronto-based Northern Private Capital — with financial backing from Jim Balsillie, the former co-CEO of BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (who was raised in Peterborough) — are buying MDA Corporation, returning the company to Canadian control and bringing the company’s headquarters back to Canada.
“Once its acquisition by Northern Private Capital closes, MDA will become a private, Canadian-owned and controlled business, continuing to be the leading space technology company in Canada, serving domestic government and international customers,” writes MDA group president Mike Greenley (who was born and raised in Peterborough) on his LinkedIn.
MDA was founded in 1969 as MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, and became part of Colorado-based Maxar Technology Holdings as part of a merger in 2017. As well as building the Canadarm robotic arm for NASA’s space shuttle program and the Canadarm2 for the International Space Station, MDA is also known for developing the Radarsat Earth-observation satellites and other advanced space technologies.
“Over its 50-year history, MDA has grown from a B.C.-based start-up into a world-class space technology company and an anchor of Canada’s space program,” says John Risley, a Halifax billionaire who is a principal along with investor Andrew Lapham in Northern Private Capital, in a statement.
“We are thrilled to partner with Mike Greenley and the rest of the MDA team and are excited about the significant growth potential we see for the company,” Risley adds. “As a Canadian, I am so proud this iconic Canadian company will once again be owned and controlled in Canada.”
As part of the deal, which will be financed through a combination of equity and debt, MDA’s corporate headquarters will return to Canada, where it employs more than 1,900 people.
Northern Private Capital says its acquisition of MDA is expected to close in 2020 following regulatory approvals.
Two farmers’ markets in downtown Peterborough announce new partnership
The Peterborough Downtown Farmers’ Market (PDFM) has announced it will be joining the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Network (PRFN).
PDFM has been operating a farmers’ market on Charlotte Street in downtown Peterborough on Wednesdays every summer for more than 20 years. PRFN was formed in 2018 after the Saturday Peterborough Farmers’ Market, operating at Morrow Park, refused to approve applications submitted by seven returning vendors who were concerned about the presence of non-local producers at the Saturday market.
PRFN subsequently established its own farmers’ market, the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market, which runs on Saturdays during the summer at the Citi-Centre Courtyard off Aylmer Street and on Saturdays during the winter in the lower level of Peterborough Square. Sixty per cent of the vendors at the Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market are primary producers who have gone through a third-party inspection process to verify they grow 100 per cent of what they sell.
“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to build on our successful downtown Wednesday market,” says Trevor Riel of the PDFM’s board. “I believe that together we can be a key part of the identity of downtown Peterborough.”
A number of vendors participate in both the Wednesday and Saturday farmers’ markets. In a media release, both markets say they share a vision of branding downtown Peterborough as a market destination, with the PRFN’s commitment to transparent business practices through third-party farmer verification a key feature of the partnership.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the PDFM,” says PRFN chair Julie Fleming. “Working to implement a shared vision will result in a whole that is much greater than the sum of its parts.”
PDFM says it will be working with PRFN on the specific terms of the relationship well in advance of the summer 2020 market season.
Scotiabank Port Hope employees, clients, and customers donate five boxes of items for The Rose Project
When Cassidy Dawson and her colleagues of Scotiabank in Port Hope read kawarthaNOW’s story about The Rose Project, an initiative founded by Rose Wilton to collects donations for the less fortunate in Northumberland County, they decided to support the cause this year for their holiday donation campaign.
Throughout December, the branch ran a campaign that produced five boxes filled with 59 pairs of mittens, hats, scarves, toiletries, small gift cards, and granola bars. Not only did branch employees contribute to the campaign, but many of the branch’s clients and customers donated as well.
Rose Project founder Rose Wilton visited the branch last Friday (December 27) to pick up the donations and to thank Scotiabank employees and everyone who donated. She plans to use the donated items to create kits to give out in January.
Publican House Brewery marketing director Kim Cranfield launches her own marketing and events company
South Bay Marketing and Events is a new company launched by Kim Cranfield, who has worked as marketing director at Publican House Brewery for the past six years and established the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival in 2015. (Photo: South Bay Marketing and Events)
After six years as marketing director with Publican House Brewery in downtown Peterborough, Kim Cranfield has announced she is starting her own marketing and events company, called South Bay Marketing and Events.
In 2015, Cranfield established the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival, which has grown from a one-day event attended by 1,500 people to a two-day celebration drawing 5,000 attendees.
Cranfield will continue to lead the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival independently, and will also be taking on new clients requiring for marketing, communication, or events services.
A Peterborough resident for the past six years, Cranfield named her new business after the bay on Chandos Lake where her family cottage has been located for more than 65 years.
Cranfield will continue working with Publican House until the end of January.
For more information about South Bay Marketing and Events, visit southbaymarketing.ca.
Applications opening for next intake of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Starter Company Plus program on January 1
Applications for the next intake of Starter Company Plus, a program offered through the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre with funding from the Government of Ontario, open on Wednesday, January 1st.
The program is designed to provide business training for aspiring to experienced entrepreneurs aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough, who are either launching a new business or expanding an existing business that has been operating for five years or less.
VIDEO: PKED Starter Company Plus Introduction
Applications close at 4 p.m. on Monday, January 20th. All successful program participants must be able to attend a series of five workshops taking place in February and March.
For more information and to apply, visit peterboroughed.ca/business-support/starter-company-plus/.
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 ceremony was held on Thursday, December 19th for the new 80-room Hampton Inn hotel to be built at 80 Henderson Street in Port Hope. Construction of the new hotel will begin in 2020 with an expected opening in early 2021.
- A new Canadian sports pub, Maple Moose Pub, is opening in early 2020 in the location of the former ARIA nightclub at 331 George Street North in downtown Peterborough.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts new venture session in Peterborough on January 7
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting a New Venture Session from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7th in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).
Intended 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, how to work with the Business Advisory Centre to build a plan of action for your business, and completing the start-up checklist
The session is free but registration is required at eventbrite.ca/e/new-venture-session-tickets-86582521653.
Peterborough Chamber hosts networking event in Peterborough on January 7
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) of 2020 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7th at the Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St. E., Peterborough).
The wellness-themed event will be about goals and resolutions, from physical to mental wellness for staff and for business.
The free event is open to everyone.
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts business planning workshop in Peterborough on January 9
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting a “Business Fundamentals: Business Planning” workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 9th in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).
The session is designed to give entrepreneurs a strong foundation in business planning and to emphasize the importance of a comprehensive business plan. Tools will be made available for creating a business plan as well as top tips for creating a plan ready to share with banks and funding agencies to secure financing.
The session is free but registration is required at eventbrite.ca/e/business-fundamentals-business-planning-tickets-86584234777.
Farms at Work hosts egg grading discussion in Peterborough on January 9
Farms at Work is hosting “Egg Grading for the Local Market”, a discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 9th at VentureNorth (270 George St., Peterborough).
The this evening discussion will share the issues and conclusions from Farms at Work’s feasibility study for a local community-based egg grading facility, egg grading options in this region, and information on a new egg grading facility in southwestern Ontario and how they propose to help producers across the province.
Coffee and light dessert will be provided. The cost of the event is $5. Register at eventbrite.ca/e/grading-eggs-for-market-issues-and-options-tickets-80765157761.
Haliburton Chamber hosts breakfast session on mental health in the workplace in Haliburton on January 14
The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting The Breakfast Club from 7 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at Maple Avenue Tap & Grill (172 Highland St., Haliburton).
Jack Veitch of the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge will speak on the topic “Mental Health and the Workplace”.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members or $25 for non-members. Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=lu6q9flab&oeidk=a07ego3g93j5067a86d.
Peterborough Chamber hosts Chamber AM breakfast meeting in Peterborough on January 14
The next Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Chamber AM breakfast meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14th 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).
Northumberland Chamber hosts networking event in Cobourg on January 14
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next “Meet and Greet” business networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at MASS Environmental Services (210 Willmott St., Unit 5B, Cobourg).
MASS Environmental Services will share information about reducing the environmental footprint of your business and related subjects.
The event is free for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Register at nccofc.ca/events/details/nccofc-meet-greet-2639.
Innovation Cluster and Cleantech Commons host Electric City Talks with Jason Wight in Peterborough on January 14
Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas and Cleantech Commons are hosting “Electric City Talks: An Evening with Jason Wight” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough)
Jason Wight is director of engineering at Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and founder of for Ontario Power Generation’s only accelerator X-LAB. He will discuss nuclear energy, its role in the current climate crisis, and how innovative technologies are changing to adapt to a world that emphasizes clean and sustainable energy.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with introductions at 6:30 p.m. and the keynote at 6:45 p.m. A cash bar will be available.
Reserve your seats for this free event at eventbrite.com/e/electric-city-talks-an-evening-with-jason-wight-tickets-84276303693.
Port Hope Chamber hosts a breakfast meeting with Mayor Bob Sanderson in Port Hope on January 15
The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a breakfast meeting with Mayor Bob Sanderson from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Railside Restaurant (112 Peter St., Port Hope).
Mayor Sanderson will provide an update on municipal affairs, strategic planning, and business within the municipality of Port Hope.
The cost is $20 for Chamber members or $30 for non-members (includes breakfast and tax and gratuity). Registration is required by January 10th by emailing admin@porthopechamber.com or calling 905-885-5519.
Trent Hills Chamber hosts Trent-Severn Trail Town information session in Hastings on January 16
The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting an information session on the Trent-Severn Trail Town initiative from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 16th at the Hastings Civic Centre (9 Albert St., Hastings).
Presented by the Hastings and Campbellford Trail Town Committees, the session will provide information about the Trent-Severn Trail Town initiative — designed to increase regional tourism — and the “Trail Town Friendly” business certification program.
This event will benefit businesses in the designated Trent-Severn Trail Town communities of Hastings and Campbellford. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Register for the free event at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/trent-severn-trail-town-information-session-4493.
Peterborough Chamber hosts lunch seminar on international students in Peterborough on January 22
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s next “Lunch Box Learning” session takes place from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22nd at the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce (175 George St. N., Peterborough).
Tracey McConnery (Manager of English Programs & International Student Services, Fleming College) and Paul Longhurst (International Student Advisor, Trent University) will present on how international students can help you meet your labour needs and will discuss opportunities for collaboration.
The free event is open to Chamber members and members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. Bring your own lunch.
Kawartha Lakes CFDC hosts Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario information sessions in Lindsay and Fenelon Falls on January 28 and 29
Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is hosting information sessions on the Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28th at the Lindsay Recreational Complex (133 Adelaide St. S., Lindsay) and from 12 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29th at Fenelon Falls Community Centre (27 Veteran’s Way, Fenelon Falls).
Kawartha Lakes CFDC will be accepting applications for projects that support small and medium-sized enterprises to foster innovation, technology adoption and digital connectivity in Kawartha Lakes. Priority sectors include advanced manufacturing, clean tech, digital industries, and agri-food and food processing. Minimum project size is $50,000, with the ability of participants to provide a 50 per cent ($25,000) matched cash contribution.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/KawarthaLakesCF/.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
