Peterborough County wants local entrepreneurs and businesses to know they have their back.
The county’s economic development and tourism team has announced the launch of “The Local Advantage” series, a monthly drop-in program that’s designed to connect local businesses and entrepreneurs across the region with valuable resources and networking opportunities to grow their businesses.
The series kicks off on Tuesday (January 21), running from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre, located at 88 Alma St. in Norwood.
Rhonda Keenan, Peterborough County’s general manager of economic development, shared with kawarthaNOW some of her aspirations for the new offering.
“The biggest hope is that Peterborough County businesses feel supported and know they have access to a team that wants to see them succeed,” Keenan said.
“If they have a question, are excited about an opportunity, or are facing a challenge that is impacting their business, they have a team that they can reach out to. The county wants local businesses to know what resources are available to them, and how these products and services can benefit them.”
If businesses see this resource is available to them, according to Keenan, they may be more likely to consider expanding their business locally, “and even potentially hire locally and create new jobs for residents, students, or graduates in the future.”
The first session, which is being hosted by the Township of Asphodel-Norwood, features an open-house format, offering attendees the chance to meet representatives from Peterborough County’s economic development and tourism office, Community Futures Peterborough (Business Advisory Centre), and the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
Those representatives will share information about programs and resources available to support businesses in Peterborough County and promote growth. No registration is required to attend.
The initial session aims to generate interest and lay the groundwork for future events. Future sessions will occur on the third Tuesday of each month at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre, with additional locations throughout the county also being explored for future sessions.
“This initiative aims to bring front-line economic development and tourism services directly to the local business community, providing a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and community connection,” a media release noted.
The Local Advantage series is part of Peterborough County’s broader “hub and spoke” model, which strives to provide accessible and comprehensive support to businesses throughout the county. Peterborough County developed the model after assuming responsibility for delivering economic development and tourism services following the dissolution of Peterborough & The Kawarthas Economic Development in 2024.
At the centre of this initiative is Peterborough County’s information hub in the former post office in Lakefield, which now acts as a central resource to bring together expertise from the county’s economic development and tourism team, Community Futures Peterborough, and the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. The Local Advantage series represents a “spoke” to ensure businesses in all areas of Peterborough County benefit from the same high level of support.
“Peterborough County is proud to start The Local Advantage series in the bustling Township of Asphodel-Norwood,” said Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark in the release.
“As the community grows, new businesses are looking to open, and existing businesses are looking to grow and expand. This monthly series will connect entrepreneurs with the knowledge, connections, and resources to be successful. We look forward to expanding The Local Advantage and other business services through our hub and spoke model across Peterborough County in the months ahead.”
The county said it appreciates the Township of Asphodel-Norwood’s endorsement of the initiative by hosting the first sessions. As the first township to partner with Peterborough County economic development by offering its community centre as a venue, Asphodel-Norwood is setting a strong example of collaboration and support for local businesses, the release noted.
“We are delighted to welcome Peterborough County economic development and tourism, Community Futures Peterborough, and the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce to Asphodel-Norwood for the launch of this impactful program,” said Township of Asphodel-Norwood Mayor Pat Wilford in a statement. “Collaboration like this is critical to ensuring that businesses in our community have access to the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Updates on future topics and potential guest speakers will be shared by the county through its social media channels and on its website at www.ptbocounty.ca/localadvantage.
