The federal government is investing almost $1.2 million in 26 businesses in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

The funding comes from the Rural Innovation Initiative of Eastern Ontario (RIIEO) program funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). The RIIEO funding is aimed at helping traditional small- and medium-sized businesses and manufacturers expand their business growth and adopt innovative business processes.

Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef made the funding announcement on Thursday (March 5) morning at VentureNorth in downtown Peterborough, along with representatives from economic development organizations Community Futures Peterborough and Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) and the businesses receiving funding.

“Through smart investments that support our rural innovators and entrepreneurs, we strengthen the local economy and create jobs,” Monsef said. “Our government is pleased to work with Northumberland CFDC and Community Futures Peterborough to ensure our local businesses have the tools they need to develop and reach new markets.”

Seven Peterborough-area manufacturers will receive up to $700,000 in RIIEO regional funding, administered by Northumberland CFDC, matched by a total of $1,905,701 in incremental private investment.

“Northumberland CFDC is pleased to support the momentum of eastern Ontario innovation, specifically within the manufacturing sector,” says Northumberland CFDC executive director Wendy Curtis. “These investments position the Peterborough area and local economy well to meet the increasing demands of its customers, and enable growth, diversity and expansion into global markets.”

VIDEO: Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef at VentureNorth in Peterborough

The seven businesses receiving RIIEO regional funding are:

• Canadiana Cabinets Ltd of Peterborough, which makes custom kitchen cabinets, vanities, built-ins, range hoods, and accessories.
• Dynacast Ltd of Peterborough, which manufactures die cast zinc and components, including metal injection technology.
• Havelock Metal Co. of Havelock, a manufacturer of metal roofing and siding products.
• Kingdon Lumber Limited of Lakefield, a manufacturer and supplier of building materials.
• Quickmill Inc. of Peterborough, a designer and manufacturer of large gantry CNC machining centres.
• Ritz Plastics Inc. of Peterborough, which provides injection moulding, insert moulding, product distribution, and prototyping services.
• Savage Arms (Canada) Inc. of Lakefield, which manufactures rimfire sporting rifles.

An additional $450,000 in RIIEO local funding, administered by Community Futures Peterborough, will go towards 17 local businesses and two economic development organizations operating in the city and county of Peterborough.

“This stream of funding has allowed local businesses to think boldly about their future and how to implement innovative measures to grow and protect jobs in the future,” says Community Futures Peterborough executive director Gail Moorhouse. “We are thrilled with the quality of exciting projects and innovation taking place in our community.”

Businesses receiving RIIEO local funding include Nurse’s Emission Testing & Repair, Woodaholic Ecocraft, At The Lake Distributing Inc., Iron Equipment, Cambium, Black and Smith Ironworks, Kawartha Metals Corporation, Keene Truck, Woodleigh Farms, Percheron Plastic, Nero Performance Materials, Steelworks Design Inc., Community Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., BOSTL, Diatom Professional Consulting and Training Inc., Lucky Strike Bait Works Ltd, and Red Tracker.

Economic development organizations Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development are also receiving RIIEO local funding.

“We used this funding to purchase a new enterprise resource planning software called NetSuite,” says At The Lake Distributing owner Niki Pulchinski. “This innovative system is instrumental in increasing our productivity and efficiencies and pave the way for us to accelerate our growth.”

The government estimates that the funding will contribute to creating around 93 jobs and maintaining 391 jobs in the city and county of Peterborough.

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 blockchain entrepreneur Jenna Pilgrim being honoured by Trent University, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development unveiling its new five-year regional economic development strategic plan, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough announcing the nominees for the Businesswomen of the Year Awards and the Judy Heffernan Award, Havelock Country Jamboree and Buckhorn Festival of the Arts being named as two of the top 100 festivals and events in Ontario, and other notable business and organization news from across the Kawarthas.

New events added this week include the Coboconk, Norland & Area Chamber of Commerce’s social media workshop in Coboconk on March 9th, the Innovation Cluster’s tax workshop for start-ups in Peterborough on March 12th, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development’s business planning workshop in Peterborough on March 18th, the Trent Hills Chamber’s members-only coffee chat with MP Philip Lawrence in Warkworth on March 20th, the Brighton & Cramahe Chamber’s 2020 Business Achievement Awards in Colborne on March 25th, the Bobcaygeon Chamber’s Awards of Excellence celebration in Bobcaygeon on April 25th, and the Port Hope Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards in Cobourg on April 25th.

Peterborough blockchain entrepreneur Jenna Pilgrim honoured by Trent University

Peterborough native Jenna Pilgrim has recently achieved a few milestones in her career as a blockchain entrepreneur, including an honour from her alma mater Trent University and a mention of her new company in Forbes magazine.

Pilgrim is the co-founder and CEO of tech start-up Streambed Media, a company that uses the blockchain — the technology behind Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies — to help creators manage and monitor content rights, distribution, and collective analytics. Blockchain technology enables distributed digital public ledgers that hold incorruptible data in a secure and encrypted way, ensuring that transactions between parties can never be altered.

Pilgrim, who went to Adam Scott Collegiate & Vocational Institute before obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration from Trent University in 2012, became a blockchain subject matter expert almost by accident. She first heard about Bitcoin in late 2015, following a meeting with Trent University Chancellor Don Tapscott after she had reviewed his 1994 book The Digital Economy on her blog. Tapscott offered her a job and became her mentor, and she began working as publicist for the 2016 book The Blockchain Revolution by Don and his son Alex.

That led to a stint as director of business development for the Tapscotts’ Blockchain Research Institute, and then Michael J. Casey (author of the 2015 book The Age of Cryptocurrency: How Bitcoin and Digital Money Are Challenging the Global Economic Order) approached her with an idea for a blockchain-based media company. She was also the director of partnerships at Bloq Inc., a blockchain company that builds tools to make it easier for organizations to build on public blockchains.

In January, Pilgrim was one of the speakers at the North American Bitcoin Conference in Miami, where she introduced Streambed Media to conference attendees.

In February, she became the youngest-ever recipient of Trent University’s Young Alumni Leader Award, recognizing her leadership in the Canadian blockchain and Bitcoin communities, as well as her volunteer efforts with both the Upper Canada College rowing program and the Trent University Rowing Club.

VIDEO: “Introducing Streambed: Content Networks For The World” – Jenna Pilgrim

Most recently, Streambed Media was featured in Forbes in a February 26th story by Tatiana Koffman entitled How Blockchain Will Transform Media & Entertainment, which explains how companies such as Streambed Media are using blockchain technology in the entertainment industry to deal with issues of ownership and rights management over content.

“Toronto-based StreambedMedia is creating a content provenance mechanism which allows creators to track content posted on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook with a reputation mechanism,” Koffman writes. “The free platform allows you to share traffic data with other creators and immutably link yourself to other creators in your video, those who paid you to make the video, those who share the video on other platforms, and other co-creators. StreambedMedia’s strategy taps into another yet unrealized major trend – using blockchain to monetize micro content.”

Streambed Media is currently raising financing. For more information and to sign up for updates, visit streambedmedia.com.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development unveils new five-year regional economic development strategic plan

On Monday (March 2), Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development unveiled Future Ready: 2020-2024, its new five-year regional economic development strategic plan for the City and County of Peterborough.

The strategic plan is centred on a vision for the region to become the most sustainable and innovative community and economy in Ontario, based on four objectives: promoting Peterborough and the Kawarthas as a destination of choice for visitors, businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and students; leveraging the region’s mix of rural and urban assets and business; building a job-ready, highly skilled and innovative workforce for the future; and supporting all phases of entrepreneurship while also supporting existing businesses.

“That’s our vision, but we can’t do it alone,” says Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development board chair Dana Empey. “We’re trying to make Peterborough and the Kawarthas more competitive and attractive for business. We’re confident that this plan will help us get there.”

VIDEO: Future Ready: 2020-2024 Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan

The four objectives will be supported through 18 actions that Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development will implement over the next five years through annual business plans.

“By 2041, Peterborough is expected to see a projected 41 per cent increase of residents,” says Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development president and CEO Rhonda Keenan. “The region will need to work together to manage that growth and become a destination of choice. We need to work with business leaders, both local and global, for sustainable prosperity. We need to work with government agencies, stakeholders, researchers and educators.”

Future Ready: 2020-2024 was developed through input from a steering committee of business and academic leaders, eight focus group sessions, input from Trent University business students, Business classes, input from the City and County of Peterborough, and hundreds of hours in research and data collection.

For details about the new strategic plan, visit www.peterboroughed.ca/future-ready

Women’s Business Network of Peterborough announces nominees for Businesswomen of the Year Awards and Judy Heffernan Award

The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) has announced the nominees for the Businesswomen of the Year Awards and the Judy Heffernan Award.

Previously known as the Women in Business Award, the Businesswomen of the Year Awards recognize women who demonstrate business leadership within their business or organization that has resulted in job creation, innovation, or increased business acumen. It also recognizes the recipients’ impact on the community at large, including, volunteering, and other contributions. The nominees are:

Entrepreneur Category

• Amelia Valenti, Owner, Innovative Life Designs
• Angela Jones, Owner & Principal Designer, Lakeshore Designs
• Christine Teixeira, Owner, Accountability Financial
• Karen Auger, Partner, BDO Canada LLP
• Margaret Burley, Owner, Burley’s Gardens and Suite
• Mary McGillis, Owner, Celtic Connection
• Maureen Tavener, Sales Representative, Re/Max Eastern Realty Inc. Brokerage
• Peggy Shaughnessy, President, Whitepath Consulting
• Rhonda Barnet, President & COO, AVIT Manufacturing
• Shelby Leonard-Watt, Owner & Operator, Save Our Soles
• Sofie Andreou, Owner, 123 Digital Power by Sofie Andreou

Organization Category

• Anne Driscoll, Fundraising & Community Outreach Coordinator, MS Society
• Carol Lawless, Fund Development Coordinator, New Canadians Centre Peterborough
• Dawn Hennessey, Business Centre Manager, BDC Peterborough
• Gail Moorhouse, Executive Director, Community Futures Peterborough
• Joëlle Favreau, Nourish Manager, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton / Nourish Project
• Julia Anderson, Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health
• Julie Howe, Sales & Marketing Manager, Nexicom Inc.
• Katie Young-Haddlesey, Manager of Economic Development, Curve Lake First Nation
• Sandra Dueck, Policy Analyst & Communication Specialist, Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce
• Sarah Handy, Quality Manager, Central Smith Ice Cream
• Rose Terry, Marketing Manager & Senior Innovation Specialist, Innovation Cluster

Named after the late well-respected leader of the Peterborough business community, the Judy Heffernan Award is awarded to a female entrepreneur, mentor, or student who embodies the Heffernan’s legacy of humbly helping others succeed. The nominees are:

• Abeer AlSalihi, Settlement Worker in Schools, New Canadians Centre Peterborough and Northumberland
• Cora Whittington, Owner, Golden Pathways B&B and Coach Cora Leadership Coaching
• Denise Vallee, Region Sales Coach, The Co-operators
• Diane Wolf, Owner, Diane Wolf Counselling
• Heather Doughty, Photographer & Founder of Inspire Women Project, Heather Doughty Photography
• Jeannine Taylor, Founder, CEO, and Publisher, kawarthaNOW.com
• Lesley Robb, Owner, Swell Made Co. & Swell Made Design
• Lisa Howie, President, Ellwood Hamilton Bus Lines
• Peggy Shaughnessy, President, Whitepath Consulting
• Rose Terry, Marketing Manager & Senior Innovation Specialist, Innovation Cluster

The recipients will be announced at a dinner and presentation ceremony, emceed by Megan Murphy, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 23rd at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club (1030 Armour Rd., Peterborough).

Tickets are $85 ($75 for WBN members) and are available at womensbusinessnetwork.net/awards-event/buy-tickets/.

Havelock Country Jamboree and Buckhorn Festival of the Arts named as two of the top 100 festivals and events in Ontario

Last Friday (February 27), Festivals and Events Ontario announced its 2020 Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario, representing festivals and events that excel within the industry.

The recipients included Havelock Country Jamboree and Buckhorn Festival of the Arts.

For the sixth year in a row, Havelock Country Jamboree was also named as a Festival & Event of Distinction, a select group representing some of the most well-known and respected celebrations in the province that draw both an international and domestic audience.

The 43rd Buckhorn Festival of the Arts takes place on August 15 and 16, 2020 in Buckhorn and the 31st annual Havelock Country Jamboree takes place from August 13 to 16, 2020.

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:

• Nominations are now open for the 2020 Bobcaygeon Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence in nine categories: Employee Achievement, Customer Service Excellence, New Business Achievement, Business Achievement, Community Group Achievement, Creative Arts Achievement, Hospitality, and Citizen of the Year. For nomination forms, visit www.bobcaygeon.org/AOE2020-Nominate.
• The Academy Theatre for Performing Arts (2 Lindsay St. S., Lindsay) has launched a survey seeking public feedback to help the non-profit organization shape its future programming, marketing, and overall operations. Hard copies of the survey are available at the box office, with an online version available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/JM9NMDW.
• YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is seeking volunteers to join the organization’s board of directors, requiring 10 to 12 hours per month. Expressions of interest are welcomed by 11 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18th. For more information, contact YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive assistant Yvonne Porter at 705-743-3526 ext. 116 or yporter@ywcapeterborough.org.
• RBC has donated $10,000 to “Peterborough Performs: Musicians Against Homelessness”, a fundraiser for the United Way taking place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 5th at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).
• Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, medical officer of health with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, will be retiring in summer 2020 after 16 years with the organization. A committee of board of health members will begin recruiting for her successor.
• Dr. Sue Carstairs, executive director and chief medical officer of the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, has been appointed to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour. Since 2008, Dr. Carstairs has lead the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre from a small grassroots organization into the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, an internationally recognized research and treatment centre.
• Susan Dunkley is the new annual giving coordinator for The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough. She previously worked for the Peterborough Humane Society.
• Mandy Juby Livings has joined the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism as its new membership coordinator.
• As of May 1, 2020, Vinnies Peterborough will no longer be using plastic bags at any of its three locations in Peterborough and Lakefield.

Peterborough Chamber hosts networking event at Showplace in Peterborough on March 3

The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next Peterborough Business Exchange (PBX) networking event from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3rd at Showplace Performance Centre (290 George St. N., Peterborough).

PBX is for anyone in business looking to interact with other businesses, influencers, and community leaders. See what Showplace has to offer and take a tour of their facilities.

Everyone is invited to attend this event. Chamber members are welcome to bring a door prize for a plug at the podium.

Northumberland Chamber and Town of Cobourg host 2019 Business Achievement Awards gala in Cobourg on March 6

The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Cobourg are hosting the 2019 Business Achievement Awards gala beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 6th at Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn and Convention Centre (930 Burnham St., Cobourg).

The awards recognize excellence and honour high achievers in the local business community. Gala attendees can network during cocktails at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards ceremony beginning at 6:45 p.m.

The cost is $90 per person plus HST. Purchase tickets online at nccofc.ca/events/details/2019-business-achievement-awards-2641 or by phone at 905-372-5831.

Women leaders in hospitality host International Women’s Day Feast fundraiser in Peterborough on March 8

Susan Houde of Two Dishes Cookshop, Lisa Dixon of Black Honey, Bonnie Kubica of BE Catering, and Shannon Mak of Le Petit Bar have come together to host International Women’s Day Feast at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 8th at St Veronus Cafe and Tap Room (129 Hunter St. W., Peterborough).

Designed by Dixon, Kubica, and Houde, the five-course menu will feature: sour cherry and goat cheese terrine; two-way smoked trout with winter greens, apple and walnut; roasted sweet potato and red pepper soup; lemon thyme roasted Three Forks chicken with quinoa gravy and wild rice stuffing; and white chocolate-pumpkin mousse and almond dacquoise Napoleon. Wine and beer pairings will be provided by certified sommelier Shannon Mak.

The cost is $125 per person, with all proceeds benefitting YWCA Peterborough Halliburton. Tickets are available at Black Honey (217 Hunter St. W/, Peterborough,) and Le Petit Bar (399 Water St, Peterborough).

Coboconk, Norland & Area Chamber of Commerce hosts social media workshop in Coboconk on March 9

The Coboconk, Norland & Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Kawartha Lakes’ Digital Main St. initiative, is hosting “Using Social Media to Connect to Your Customer” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 9th at the Coboconk Train Station (2894 Portage Rd., Coboconk).

The free workshop is open to everyone. RSVP by 12 p.m. on Friday, March 6th to chamber@coboconknorland.ca.

Peterborough Chamber and partners host business summit in Peterborough on March 11

The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development and RT08, is hosting “Business Summit 2020: Future Ready” from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11th at Ashburnham Funeral Home & Reception Centre (840 Armour Rd., Peterborough).

The half-day conference focused on strengthening business features author, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Daniel Lewis, the owner of the award-winning tea shop T by Daniel, as keynote speaker along with a panel discussion on marketing and workshops on succession planning, sales, sustainability, and digitization.

The cost is $75, which includes breakfast and lunch. Register at peterboroughchamber.ca.

Innovation Cluster hosts tax workshop for start-ups in Peterborough on March 12

Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is hosting “Hands-ON: Tax Prep for Startups with BDO” from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12th in the large ground-floor boardroom at VentureNorth (270 George St. N., Peterborough).

Facilitated by Matthew Schneider, Alex Archibald, and Jess Conlin of BDO’s Peterborough office, the workshop will provide attendees with information about business structures, the importance of bookkeeping, basic tax filing requirements, HST, and more.

There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is requested at eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-tax-prep-for-startups-with-bdo-2020-tickets-93507315899.

Trent Hills Chamber holds annual general meeting in Campbellford on March 12

The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12th at the Clock Tower Cultural Centre (36 Front St. S., Campbellford).

The event features networking and light refreshments at 6 p.m. followed by the annual general meeting, including a review of the Chamber events, activities, and programs that took place in 2019, at 6:30 p.m.

There is no cost for Chamber members to attend, but advance registration is required at business.trenthillschamber.ca/events/details/annual-general-meeting-for-the-trent-hills-chamber-of-commerce-4505.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development hosts business planning workshop in Peterborough on March 18

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting “Business Fundamentals: Business Planning” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18th 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-91891605265.

Trent Hills Chamber hosts members-only coffee chat with MP Philip Lawrence in Warkworth on March 20

The Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a members-only coffee chat with Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence from 8 to 9 a.m. on Friday, March 20th at Glover’s Farm Market (14260 County Rd. 29, Warkworth).

There is no cost to attend, and muffins and coffee or tea will be served.

RSVP by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18th at 705-653-1551 or admin@trenthillschamber.ca.

Kawartha Chamber hosts sexual harassment in the workplace seminar in Lakefield on March 25

The Kawartha Chamber of Commerce & Tourism’s next Business Owners Sharing Solutions (B.O.S.S.) seminar, on the topic of sexual harassment in the workplace, takes place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25th at the Lakefield Legion (10 Nicholls St., Lakefield).

The seminar will help you to understand the duties and responsibilities of businesses and organizations including training, obligations to report and investigate, resources, domestic violence, how to deal with a disclosure, what can be considered sexual harassment, and more. The speaker (to be announced) will use real-life examples and encourage discussion amongst the attendees.

Breakfast will be catered by Jack’s Family Restaurant. The cost is $15 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Register at business.kawarthachamber.ca/events/register/11408.

Brighton & Cramahe Chamber hosts 2020 Business Achievement Awards in Colborne on March 25

The Brighton & Cramahe Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Business Achievement Awards from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25th at Keeler Centre (80 Division St., Colborne).

More details will be forthcoming closer to the event date.

Peterborough Chamber of Commerce holds annual general meeting in Peterborough on March 26

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual general meeting from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26th at The StoneHouse Hall (2195 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough).

The meeting will include a look back at 2019 and will feature Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli will be the keynote speaker.

Chamber members will be asked to approve the audited financial statements of the corporation and the actions of the board of directors for 2019, as well as proposed by-law changes.

Registration takes place at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m., business at 12 p.m., and the guest speaker at 12:30 p.m.

The cost for the meeting, which includes lunch, is $30 plus HST for members and $40 plus HST for non-members. Register at www.peterboroughchamber.ca (registration deadline is Thursday, March 19th).

Bobcaygeon Chamber hosts Awards of Excellence celebration in Bobcaygeon on April 25

The Bobcaygeon & Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Awards of Excellence celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 25th at Lakeview Arts Barn (2300 Pigeon Lake Rd., Bobcaygeon).

The event includes a cocktail reception, a sit-down three-course meal, and the awards presentation. Tickets are $55 per person or $440 for a table of eight.

Tickets are available at bobcaygeon.org/event-3772225.

Port Hope Chamber hosts Business Excellence Awards in Cobourg on April 25

The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 23rd Annual Business Excellence Awards from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 25th at Dalewood Golf and Country Club (7465 Dale Rd., Cobourg).

More details will be forthcoming closer to the event date.

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