businessNOW – January 28, 2020

businessNOW™ is the most comprehensive weekly round-up of business and organizational news and events from Peterborough and across the Kawarthas.

The week’s news features Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien and County Warden J. Murray Jones addressing the Rotary Club of Peterborough, the Innovation Cluster launching a new startup incubator space in Lindsay, Peterborough-area businesses donating skilled trades work and supplies to help families transitioning out of homelessness, Michael Skinner rejoining Peterborough clean-tech company Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. as CEO, Omorfia Creation Station opening in downtown Peterborough, and other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas.

New events added this week include IG Wealth Management’s free financial planning seminar for businesses in Peterborough on February 5th, the Innovation Cluster’s business development seminar in Peterborough on February 5th, the Haliburton Chamber’s members-only meeting with MP Jamie Schmale in West Guilford on February 11th, the Northumberland Chamber’s business networking event in Cobourg on February 11th, the Kawartha Lakes Arts Council’s social media for cultural businesses seminar in Bobcaygeon on February 12th, the Port Hope Chamber’s coffee meeting with MP Philip Lawrence and MPP David Piccini in Port Hope on February 14th, and the Trent Hills Chamber’s lunchtime seminar on WSIB in Campbellford on February 25th.

Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien and County Warden J. Murray Jones address the Rotary Club of Peterborough

On Monday (January 27), Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien and Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones attended a regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Peterborough at the Holiday Inn – Peterborough Waterfront to update Rotarians on the status of current projects and upcoming challenges.

Jones spoke about the need to promote Peterborough County through continued support for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, service gaps with the Peterborough County-City Paramedics ambulance service, and efforts by the Eastern Ontario Regional Network to address gaps in cell coverage and to bring high-speed internet service to rural areas.

“The CRTC said that should be our standard for everyone in Canada,” Jones said, referring to the CRTC’s recommendation of 50 Mbps down and 10 Mbps for internet service across Canada. “But it’s not that easy.”

Jones also spoke about the county’s asset management plan, the status of the James A Gifford Causeway rebuild, and the county’s service delivery review — noting unanticipated costs such as day care funding.

“It’s going to cost $100,000,” Jones said. “Where do we come up with that?”

Therrien, who was returning to speak at the Rotary Club of Peterborough for her second time as Mayor, said that housing is one of the major challenges for the City of Peterborough, referring to the tent city issue from last summer. She explained that the city now a housing portfolio for the first time since 2008, but has a lot of “catching up” to do and is now working with developers and senior levels of government.

“Rents have gone up by 7.1 per cent in the last couple of year,” she said. “That’s making rental units increasingly unaffordable. While we do have new builds coming in, a lot of them are coming in above what a lot of the average residents in our community can afford.”

Therrien also spoke about the city’s climate emergency declaration.

“We’re looking at different way that we can reduce our carbon emissions,” she said, mentioning the controversial proposal to reduce the operating season of the Centennial Fountain in Little Lake. “Peterborough has a climate change action plan and, under that plan, we are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by the year 2031.”

She also mentioned the city’s capital budget and operational budget, efforts to make the budgetary process more accessible and transparent to the public, efforts to streamline communications processes both with the public and between councillors, the opioid addiction issue, and the city’s relationship with the county as well as the rest of eastern Ontario.

A key upcoming challenge, Therrien said, is the pending PDI sale and deciding what to do with the proceeds should the sale be approved.

“We’re planning to undertake community consultations to get feedback and ideas from folks about they might want to see,” she explained. “PDI was our asset, so this is our money — $50 million sounds like a lot, but we could easily blow that in a day on any of the projects that we have to do. So we want to make sure we’re spending it in a smart and sustainable way.”

Other challenges Therrien mentioned include the potential closure of Northcrest Arena, the improvement of roads including Parkhill Road West and Chemong Road, breaking ground on the, urban park, the status of Cleantech Commons at Trent University, and continued economic development.

After Jones and Therrien made their comments, there was a question-and-answer session with members of the audience.

Innovation Cluster launching new startup incubator space in Lindsay

The Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is launching the first full-service incubator in Lindsay for entrepreneurs in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

The pilot project is a partnership between the Innovation Cluster and the City of Kawartha Lakes, with the support of FedDev Ontario through the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation, and will run through 2020.

Startups working in more remote areas throughout the Kawarthas will now have easier access to programming, network connections, funding, and investment and business opportunities, as well as marketing and commercialization support.

The incubator space, modelled after the Innovation Cluster’s The Cube in downtown Peterborough, is located at Kawartha Lakes Economic Development at 180 Kent Street West in Lindsay,

A grand opening and open house takes place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11th. The launch takes place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with three half-hour open house sessions running from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Members of the public who wish to attend one of the open house sessions must register for a timeslot in advance at eventbrite.com/e/kawartha-lakes-incubator-launch-and-open-house-tickets-91632183327.

Peterborough-area businesses donate skilled trades labour and supplies to help families transitioning out of homelessness

The local business community and skilled tradespeople are donating time and supplies to support the City of Peterborough’s Housing First initiative, with work under way for families transitioning out of homelessness at 953 Clonsilla Avenue and 808 Sherbrooke Street.

The building at 953 Clonsilla Ave. is being converted into two two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit with shared laundry facilities for families transitioning out of homelessness. A second building at 808 Sherbrooke St., which is a two-unit building that could be converted into a three-unit building, is also being renovated to create affordable transitional housing. The renovations are expected to be completed by May 2020.

Mortlock Construction will be overseeing renovations at both houses with four local electrical contractors (Barry Electric, CPD Electric, Lancer Electric, and SRP Electric) partnering together to donate their labour for the projects. Boss Roofing employees are donating their time with Gibson’s Building Supplies donating materials to put a roof on 808 Sherbrooke Street.

VIDEO: Peterborough businesses and tradespeople embrace Housing First

Other participating businesses include City Electrical Supply, Gibson’s Building Supplies, Lett Architects, Nedco, Oscan Electrical Supply, and Neil Johnson Heating, as well as the Peterborough District Construction Association.

Any business or skilled trades person interested in donating work or materials to the project can contact Andrew Mitchell at the City of Peterborough at 705-742-7777 ext 1802 or amitchell@peterborough,ca.

Michael Skinner rejoins Peterborough clean-tech company Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. as CEO

Last Tuesday (January 21), Peterborough clean-tech company Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. announced the appointment of Michael Skinner as the company’s CEO.

Skinner, who was previously the President and CEO of the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas before leaving to run as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the 2019 federal election, worked at Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. as the company’s chief strategy officer from 2015 to 2017, and was part of the executive team that took the company public in 2017.

Skinner will continue to be involved in the Innovation Cluster as part-time CEO as well as the local and regional water sector. He will report to Michael O’Connor, the previous CEO moves into the role of Executive Chairman. In his capacity as CEO, Skinner will manage the overall operations of the company and focus on operational efficiency, logistics, and marketing and sales as projects, as well as product delivery development in the coming weeks and months.

“I am very excited to return to Rainmaker at this critical time and lead what I consider a world-class team to the next level,” Skinner says. “There are huge demands for water solutions around the globe and the proven Rainmaker technology is very effective in addressing many of these demands.”

Omorfia Creation Station opens in downtown Peterborough

Kristal Jones has opened Omorfia Creation Station, located at 410 George Street North in downtown Peterborough.

Jones held an open house last Wednesday (January 22) for the creative space, intended to serve the arts community as a creative incubator, gathering space, and retail experience. Omorfia will serve every kind of creative as a multifunctional space for photographers, yogis, artists, musicians, performing artists, and more.

“This idea for Omorfia Creation Station came out of a need for creative space in the downtown that is accessible, affordable, and multifunctional,” Jones says. “The arts community can feel a bit disjointed, so we wanted to centralize a customizable space for artists to create, collaborate, and celebrate their artistry all under Omorfia’s fantastical umbrella.”

“Peterborough was in dire need a dynamic gathering space for the arts community that’s not cantered around alcohol consumption and our goal is to fill that gap. This is our little way of supporting the creative ecosystem in our community.”

Omorfia offers flexible memberships and scheduling, allowing it to be used for many functions, from weekly sober events featuring a complimentary dry bar, to hosting touring artists, private gallery functions, and small theatre productions. Omorfia will also host a variety of workshops of all varieties and classes for the public.

February’s monthly artist is local photographer Mark L. Craghead, who will be unveiling a new series entitled “Valentine’s Guys” during the First Friday Peterborough art crawl on Friday, February 7th.

Omorfia takes over the space previously occupied by the You’re Welcome adult boutique retail store, which owners Diana and Justina Stephans recently closed. However, You’re Welcome will continue to run events, workshops, classes and pop-shops in the space.

For more information about Omorfia, including pricing and upcoming events, visit omorfia705.com.

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:

• The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) issued a third-quarter non-tax gaming revenue payment of $780,031 to the City of Peterborough for hosting Shorelines Casino Peterborough, covering the period of October 1 to December 31, 2019. Since October 2018, Peterborough has received more than $3.9 million in non-tax gaming revenue.
• The Peterborough Agricultural Society elected a new board at its annual general meeting on January 15: Victoria McEldon (president), Viren D’Souza (vice president), Sandra Busby (second vice president), Helen Burgomaster, Laura Robson, Kathy Clodd, Robert Hickey, Shawn Berry, Mark Balkwill, Deanna Harrison, Aleisha Bauer, and Chloe Shaw (junior member).
• The Peterborough Regional Farmers’ Market is accepting vendor applications for the 2020 summer season of the Downtown Peterborough Saturday Farmers’ Market. Applications can be submitted at prfm.prosperous.farm. All applications will be subject to a vendor vetting process designed to ensure the integrity and diversity of the products offered.
• Buckhorn food consultant and cookbook author Jennifer MacKenzie, who is also the new festival director of the SPARK Photo Festival, had two of her recipes selected in the top 10 recipes of 2019 by LCBO Food & Drink Magazine. The featured recipes are The Ultimate Apple Pie and Big-Batch Tandoori Chicken.
• Tree House Timber Works is expanding its business to a 4,000-square-foot shop at 111 Robinson St in Peterborough’s East City. The company uses traditional timber frame techniques, which do not require nails or other fasteners, including mortise and tendon construction. The expansion will allow Tree House Timber Works to work on larger structures, such as a timber frame barn that will be a wedding venue for local startup Farmhill Weddings. For more information, visit thetimberworks.com.

Kawartha Lakes CFDC hosts Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario information session in Fenelon Falls on January 29

Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) is hosting an information session on the Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario 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/.

Northumberland Chamber holds its annual general meeting and chair’s dinner in Cobourg on January 29

The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29th at The Woodlawn Inn (420 Division St., Cobourg).

All members in good standing are invited to attend the meeting and hear an overview of the Chamber’s activities for the past year, including presentation of the Chamber’s audited year-end financial report. The 2020 executive will be introduced, and elections will be held to fill the available seats on the board of directors.

The annual chair’s dinner will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. following the meeting. For Chamber members and guests, the dinner features a four-course gourmet meal (vegetarian and vegan options are available). The cost is $69 per person.

For more information and to register for the meeting or the dinner, visit nccofc.ca/events/details/nccofc-annual-general-meeting-2629.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts new venture session in Peterborough on February 4

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting a “New Venture Session” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4th 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 advance registration is mandatory at eventbrite.ca/e/new-venture-session-tickets-86583636989.

IG Wealth Management hosts free financial planning seminar for businesses in Peterborough on February 5

IG Wealth Management is hosting a free breakfast seminar entitled “10 things that should keep a business owner up at night” from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 5th at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough)

Guest speaker Ken Greenfield, director of tax and estate planning at Investors Group, will share expert insights and examples of situations that business owners may not realize are problems, and financial planning strategies that can reduce their impact.

Topics include how to grow and access the wealth from your business more efficiently, the new 2018 tax rules and how they influence your financial plan, how to use business incorporation to maximize capital gains exemptions, and why organizational structure matters.

To reserve a space, contact Kelley Giusti at kelleym.giusti@ig.ca or 705-748-9599.

Innovation Cluster hosts business development seminar in Peterborough on February 5

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting “Hands-ON: From Goals to Wins” from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5th in the small boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough)

Ryan Smith, director of business development of Legendary Coaching, will look at how starting from a place of self-awareness and passion will set you up for success and allow you to not only meet your goals, but to inspire others in the process. You will learn practical tools and principles for goal setting on a team and organizational level.

A catered lunch will be provided.

The event is free, but registration is requested at eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-from-goals-to-wins-tickets-89609248675.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts business planning workshop in Peterborough on February 6

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting “Business Fundamentals: Business Planning” from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 6th in the VentureNorth board room (270 George St., Peterborough).

The session is designed to give entrepreneurs a strong foundation in business planning and to explain the importance of a comprehensive business plan. Tools available for creating a business plan will be shared 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 advance registration is mandatory at eventbrite.ca/e/business-fundamentals-business-planning-tickets-90222206047.

Haliburton Chamber hosts members-only meeting with MP Jamie Schmale in West Guilford on February 11

The Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Chamber Connection” featuring Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schmale from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11th at Camp Medeba (1270 Kennisis Lake Rd., West Guilford).

This members-only event will include a breakfast and costs $25.

Register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07egu34jn913336f2f.

Northumberland Chamber hosts business networking event in Cobourg on February 11

The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce is hosting a special Valentine’s Day meet-and-greet networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11th at BMO Private Wealth (76 King St. W., Cobourg).

Attendees will have a chance to tour BMO Private Wealth’s spacious newly renovated downtown office, meet investment advisors and staff, and do a little business networking in a social environment.

The event is free for Chamber members or $10 for non-members. Advance registration for this free event is required at nccofc.ca/events/details/nccofc-meet-greet-2645.

Peterborough Chamber presents “Power Hour” in Peterborough on February 12

The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is presenting “Power Hour” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12th at The Venue (286 George St. N., Peterborough).

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.

The cost is $65 for Chamber members or $75 for non-members (tables for seven are also available for $450 for members and $525 for non-members). For more information and to register, visit www.peterboroughchamber.ca.

Kawartha Lakes Arts Council hosts social media for cultural businesses seminar in Bobcaygeon on February 12

The Kawartha Lakes Arts Council is hosting “Social Media for Cultural Businesses” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12th on the upper floor of the Bobcaygeon Municipal Building (123 East St. S., Bobcaygeon).

Robyn Barton of Barton Creative will share tips on how to use social media platforms to promote your art, attract patrons and customers to your business, and sell your products and services online.

There will be a question-and-answer session at 8 p.m. followed by refreshments at 8:30 p.m.

The cost is $15 for Kawartha Lakes Arts Council members or $20 for non-members and guests.

Port Hope Chamber hosts coffee meeting with MP Philip Lawrence and MPP David Piccini in Port Hope on February 14

The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Valentine’s Day coffee meeting with Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 15th in council chambers at Port Hope Town Hall (56 Queen St., Port Hope)

Light refreshments will be provided by Empire Crossing. There is no charge to attend this members-only event.

RSVP by contacting the Chamber at admin@porthopechamber.com or 905-885-5519.

Kawartha Chamber holds annual general meeting in Lakefield on February 19

The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is holding its annual general meeting beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19th at The Village Inn (39 Queen St., Lakefield).

Open to all Chamber members, the meeting will feature highlights from 2019, networking, and light refreshments. The 2018-19 annual report will be circulated before the meeting.

Trent Hills Chamber hosts lunchtime seminar on WSIB in Campbellford on February 25

The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “lunch ‘n’ learn” seminar on the WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th in the boardroom at Team Eagle (10 Trent Dr., Campbellford).

Find out more about the program and how it can help your bottom line. Bring your own lunch and a refreshment to the meeting.

There is no fee to attend, however -registration is required in advance at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/lunch-n-learn-wsib-health-safety-excellence-program-4507.

Port Hope Chamber holds annual general meeting in Port Hope on February 26

The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26th in the Sculthorpe Theatre at Cameco Capitol Arts Centre (20 Queen St., Port Hope).

Open to all Chamber members, the meeting will include a review of by-law changes and “Fostering an ecosystem of entrepreneurship”, a presentation by Lindsay Jeremiah, manager of entrepreneurship services at Durham College.

A light lunch will be served by Brandon Manor Bed & Breakfast.

To RSVP, contact the Chamber at admin@porthopechamber.com or 905-885-5519.

For more business-related events in the Kawarthas, check out our Business Events column.