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 Toronto-based cannabis retailer Huge Shops applying to open a store in downtown Peterborough, the Ontario government reducing the small business corporate income tax rate to 3.2 percent, applications now open for next intake of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Starter Company Plus program, the Digital Transformation Grant application deadline extended to January 10th, and Jennifer McLauchlan being appointed interim executive director of Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society.
New regional business events added this week include include Venture13 hosting “Fireside Chat: Smart Cities” in Cobourg on January 23rd, Betty Halman-Plumley of IG Wealth Management presenting a “Women and Wealth” seminar in Peterborough on January 27th, and the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce presenting “Power Hour” (a chat with elected officials) in Peterborough on February 13th.
Toronto-based cannabis retailer Huge Shops applies to open store in downtown Peterborough
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is currently reviewing an application from Huge Shops Ontario to open a “Grower’s Retail” cannabis retail store at 225 George Street North in downtown Peterborough. A notice was posted in the window of the proposed store on December 20, 2019. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Huge Shops Ontario Inc. has applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to open a cannabis retail store at 225 George Street North in downtown Peterborough.
In August 2019, AGCO authorized Huge Shops to open “Grower’s Retail”, a cannabis retail store in the Coffee Time plaza at Fowlers Corners in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Huge Shops is a Toronto-based cannabis retailer that has a strategic alliance with Chairman’s Brands, parent company of Coffee Time.
After zoning issues were identified with the Fowlers Corners location, Huge Shops applied to move the location to downtown Peterborough, near the corner of George and Sherbrooke streets (across from Greg’s No Frills). AGCO is currently reviewing the application.
Cannabis grower FSD Pharma, which is headquartered at the former Kraft plant in Cobourg where it operates a 25,000-square-foot cannabis cultivation facility, invested $14 million in Huge Shops in 2018. On Thursday (January 9), FSD Pharma will begin trading on NASDAQ under the symbol “HUGE” (the company is already listed under that symbol on the Canadian Securities Exchange).
Ontario reduces small business corporate income tax rate to 3.2 percent
The Ontario government has reduced its small business corporate income tax rate from 3.5 percent to 3.2 percent, effective January 1st.
According to a release from the Ministry of Finance issued on Monday (January 6), the reduction will provide tax relief of up to $1,500 annually to over 275,000 businesses.
The small business (non-eligible) dividend tax credit rate has also been reduced from 3.2863 percent to 2.9863 percent, corresponding to the reduction in the small business corporate income tax rate.
The 470,000 small businesses in Ontario represent almost 98 percent of all businesses in the province, and provide about one-third of private-sector employment — just over two million jobs.
Applications now open for next intake of P Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s Starter Company Plus program
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, are now open.
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/.
Digital Transformation Grant application deadline extended to January 10
The deadline for applications for Digital Main Street’s Digital Transformation Grant program has been extended to Friday (January 10).
The application deadline, for $2,500 grants for small main street Ontario businesses to purchase and adopt digital tools and technologies, was originally December 31, 2019.
Visit digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario/ to register, take the digital assessment, complete the online training and develop and submit a digital transformation plan and application form.
Jennifer McLauchlan appointed interim executive director of Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society
Jennifer McLauchlan has been appointed interim executive director of Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society effective last Thursday (January 2).
McLauchlan, director of corporate services for the child protection agency, replaces former executive director Jennifer Wilson, who will be retiring in February after eight years.
McLauchlan has 25 years of human resources experience primarily in the public sector. She joined Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society as director of human resources in 2012 and was promoted to director of corporate services in 2015, overseeing human resources, finance, IT, administrative services, property, and quality assurance.
Prior to joining Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society, she worked at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre holding various positions in human resources.
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.
Venture13 hosts “Fireside Chat: Smart Cities” in Cobourg on January 23
Venture13 is hosting “Fireside Chat: Smart Cities” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 23rd at Venture13 (739 D’Arcy St., Cobourg).
The discussion, featuring a panel of guests speakers, will cover how the development of “Smart Cities” presents new opportunities and advances in artificial intelligence and data science, which can be applied to manufacturing, health care, communications, transportation, and digital and physical infrastructure.
All are welcome to attend this free event. To reserve a spot, visit eventbrite.com/e/fireside-chat-smart-cities-tickets-87964467089.
Betty Halman-Plumley of IG Wealth Management presents “Women and Wealth” seminar in Peterborough on January 27
Betty Halman-Plumley of IG Wealth Management is presenting “Women and Wealth” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 27th at Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).
The in-depth seminar that will explore the unique financial concerns and opportunities facing women today. From wealth creation to retirement, estate planning, business success and charitable giving, the seminar will share expert insights.
Light refreshments will be served.
Limited seating is available. To reserve a spot, RSVP by Wednesday, January 22nd by emailing betty.halman-plumley@investorsgroup.com.
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/.
Peterborough Chamber presents “Power Hour” in Peterborough on February 13
The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is presenting “Power Hour” from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 13th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterorough).
The annual chat with elected officials is an interactive lunch event and question-and-answer session with Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith, City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, and Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones. A moderator will present questions from the audience.
Peterborough city and county councillors and chief administrative officers, as well as First Nations leaders, will also be invited to attend.
More information will be provided closer to the event date.
For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.
