The owner of a retail store in Hastings can do more to promote his small business, courtesy of a recent funding boost he received from the Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN).
Phil Smith, owner of River’s Edge on Front, is one of the recipients of recent micro grants provided through the BECN’s Starter Company Growth Program.
“The Starter Company grant through BECN has helped me invest in key marketing tools to drive more local traffic to River’s Edge on Front,” Smith said in a media release. “With support for signage, advertising, and digital improvements, we’re expanding our reach beyond the summer season and building stronger connections in the Hastings community.”
The River’s Edge on Front is one of 19 local small businesses that are sharing a total of $44,500 in micro grants aimed at fuelling their business growth through the Starter Company Growth Program, which is funded by the Ontario government.
The program is designed to support small businesses throughout Northumberland County with a blend of virtual and in person training, one-on-one mentoring, business skill development, and networking opportunities.
Through this program, participants gain additional tools, knowledge, and support to expand their entrepreneurial skillsets and successful participants receive up to $3,000 grant funding “to help take their ventures to the next level,” the BECN noted.
“We saw a marginal increase in applications over 2024 numbers,” Kate Campbell, director of communications for Northumberland County, told kawarthaNOW.
“While perhaps not directly attributable to current trade challenges, there’s no question local businesses are facing broad economic pressures including rising costs, supply chain uncertainty, and the need for added support to remain competitive. All of these are potential factors contributing to the uptick in applications.”
This year’s cohort features a mix of 19 entrepreneurs spanning a wide range of industries that reflect the “vibrancy and innovation” of Northumberland County’s small business community, according to the release. Approved businesses represent sectors listed below.
Food and beverage, such as cafés, cideries, and packaged goods, including K Okay Café and Roasters and Centre & Main Chocolate (both in Warkworth), Arrowmatic Foods and Artsichy Cupcake Florist (both in Cobourg), and Rice Lake Hard Cider in Baltimore.
Retail, such as fashion, giftware, specialty foods, and pet supplies, including River’s Edge on Front in Hastings, Spark – Smart Toys for Cool Kids in Cobourg, and the Edit Boutique in Warkworth.
Health and wellness, such as spa services, foot care, holistic nutrition, and fitness, including Mindful Meridians PEMF and Float Centre, The Foot Health Centre, Nourish Boutique Spa, Avery’s Body by Design, and Rajni Naim CNP (all in Cobourg), and Body Love Fitness in Campbellford.
Professional and digital services, such as marketing, branding, and home organizing, including PNG Marketing in Campbellford, Vanessa West + Co. in Cobourg, and Home Handlers in Warkworth.
Agriculture, such as locally grown produce and farm-based operations, includin Dirty Dog Cider Company and Unique Eats & Garden Treats Market Farm in Colborne.
Education, such as nature-based and wellness-integrated programming, including Child of the Wild in Colborne.
“The Starter Company grant through BECN came at a critical moment as I transitioned both Dirty Dog Cider and Unique Eats & Garden Treats into a new year-round location on my farm,” said owner Lori Latendresse.
“The funding helped enhance our on-site experience through key improvements like customer parking, outdoor shelters, and accessible amenities, creating a more welcoming space for visitors and setting the stage for future growth.”
The Starter Company Growth Program is open to small business owners located in Northumberland County that have been in operation for at least six months and are looking to expand their businesses. The program accepts new participants twice per year, with the next intake expected to open in fall 2025.
“It’s a pleasure to work with such passionate and driven local entrepreneurs through the Starter Company Growth Program,” said Kailyn Coupland, BECN business development coordinator.
“There are so many diverse products, services, and experiences available right here in Northumberland. Through programs like this, and with the continued support of residents who choose to shop, dine, and invest locally, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant local economy.
“As we celebrate local success stories like these, it is important to remember that every dollar we spend locally makes a difference,” Coupland added.
The BECN said it is working closely with the Prosper In Northumberland Buy Local initiative to encourage community members to redirect a portion of their average monthly spending to local businesses, which is aimed at helping small businesses continue to grow and thrive in Northumberland County.
In addition to the Starter Company Growth Program, the BECN also provides services and programs and hosts events designed to support entrepreneurs across all stages and categories of business.
To learn more about the Starter Company Growth Program and the BECN’s other programs and services, visit becn.ca.
