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Economic Development eNews | September 12, 2017
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Top feature photo:
Advonex International President and CEO Dr. Chad Joshi, third from left, cuts the ribbon with, from left, Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark, United Counties Warden Robin Jones, Leeds-Grenville 1000 Islands and Rideau Lakes MP Gor Brown Elizabethtown-Kitley Mayor Jim Pickard, Councillor Earl Brayton, and Brockville Mayor David Henderson.
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Dr. Joshi, shown here at the grand opening, founded the company.
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Advonex International Opens its Doors
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ELIZABETHTOWN-KITLEY - Leading-edge cleantech firm Advonex International celebrated its grand opening of a new, state-of-the-art production facility just outside of Brockville on September 6th.
Formerly headquartered in Kingston, Advonex opened the doors of its 12,000-square-foot location on Coon's Road, the site where the company is planning a major production expansion which will double its employee base.
"We're looking forward to working with everyone here to expand our business," said Founder and CEO Dr. Chad Joshi to a crowd of about 100 people at the opening.
Poised to be a leader in transitioning from a fossil fuel-based economy to sustainable, biologically-based economy, Advonex transforms plant oils, fats and greases into high-performance lubricants, waxes, mineral oils and petrolatum that have been traditionally made from crude oil.
These renewable ingredients, called Entrada®, will be formulated to use in engine and machining lubricants, surface coatings, cosmetics and personal care, inks, paints and many other products.
Last year it received $4.2-million from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, a federally-funded foundation. Advonex's strategic partners include Valvoline Inc. and Minnesota Soybean Processors and Queen's University.
"We're excited to have this innovative company relocate to our area," said Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. She noted, "Advonex builds upon the already established bio-industrial companies in the region. Counties worked closely with the staff from Elizabethtown-Kitley and various agencies to provide a welcoming business environment for Advonex."
The company is looking to provide new employment opportunities in Eastern Ontario and create additional revenue streams for local farmers.
Learn more about this new Leeds Grenville company on their
website, send an
email or call 613-767-9285, ext. 105.
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Aubin Farm a frontrunner in organic farming
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SPENCERVILLE - Aubin Farm owners Roshan and Tim Aubin are famous in this area for bringing organic products into the mainstream and onto dinner tables.
"We have no regrets - farming has been a beautiful, rewarding and healthy life," says Roshan of their 20 years of working the land, raising chickens, turkeys, sheep and cattle.
"The appreciation from our customers is so heart warming. They've driven what we do and it's how our farm has evolved."
Moving here from England, via Kenya, with their daughters in 1997, Tim and Roshan wanted to create a "real, old-fashioned farm" with organic products through a no-waste, closed-loop farming practice. They bought the 1840 Smail homestead on County Road 21 and soon became a certified organic farm.
They reviewed their business plan yearly to ensure they were on the right track. It paid off. Sales grew about 10% or more each year. They sent out annual surveys to their up to 40 CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) customers to keep informed.
Roshan is recognized by many as being the first person to sell organic produce at the Brockville Farmers' Market. She was also a frontrunner in serving specialty foods, samosas, pakoras and curries. Her roses are a mainstay on her market table as well as her chutneys, Indian pickles and woolen blankets.
The Aubins are believers in environmental stewardship. "Everything we produce, we use. We have a no waste policy," says Tim. This means they use all livestock manure and garden waste to eliminate the need for chemical fertilizer. They are original members of Savour Ontario and long-standing members of Canadian Organic Growers (COG).
They enjoy tickling your tastebuds with everything from Roshan's peppery arugula to their organic meat and poultry. There are plans to retire soon but Roshan and Tim are concentrating on a busy fall market season, which will include sales of their grass-fed beef and lamb, free-range chickens, Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys.
The Aubins say their business success is due to hard work along with customer loyalty and support of their natural, sustainable and organic farming style. Learn more about Aubin Farm and product sales on their website. Call them at 613-658-5721 or send an email.
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Top feature photo: Tim Aubin has farmed his entire life, including more than two decades in Africa.
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Roshan in the greenhouse with her popular arugula.
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Above: Tim in the free-range turkey barn.
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Economic Development Summit
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Save the Date for Economic Development Summit
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The 9th annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit is fast approaching. Save the date for this event!
WHEN: Friday, November 17, 2017
WHERE: North Grenville Municipal Centre
Nominations for the Bill Thake Memorial Award for Economic Development Leadership are being accepted. Also known as the Warden's Award, it recognizes a volunteer who has shown outstanding commitment and leadership resulting in the growth and vitality of the Leeds Grenville economy within the 10 member municipalities.
DEADLINE: Friday, September 29, 2017
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Program assists employers in matching workers with all skilled trades
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The Employment and Education Centre (EEC) is launching a new pre-apprenticeship program for women in the trades. It can assist in matching skilled workers to trades to ensure employer needs are being met.
The program helps meet the local needs for workers to become qualified in a wide variety of disciplines. To qualify you must be female, between the ages of 15-30 and have had difficulties accessing job opportunities.
The program includes a paid five-week, in-class session along with a 20-week work placement with employers in various trades, including carpentry, welding, electrical, plumbing, construction and hospitality.
For more information contact Jamie Pate at 613-498-2111, ext. 246 or send an
email
. The program begins in October with intake now in process. Visit the EEC website.
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Celebrate Ontario 2018 Program is here
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The annual Celebrate Ontario program helping festivals and events enhance their programs, activities and services is back with some new features.
What's NEW for Celebrate Ontario 2018?
- The application form has been improved and streamlined to help applicants respond to questions more effectively and conveniently.
- Applicants will complete a standard Grants Ontario Application Form as well as a Celebrate Ontario Project Application Form which contains all the project questions directly in the form. Both documents are available via the Grants Ontario web portal.
Online information sessions are once again available in both English and French. The deadline to register is September 20. Visit the Celebrate Ontario 2018 page for more information.
Deadline to apply: Thursday, November 9, 5 p.m.
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Art of the deal: Contracts
This session delves into making good deals and solid contracts with suppliers and customers.
WHEN: Thursday, October 5, 9-11 a.m.
WHERE: Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporation,
91 Cornelia Street West,
Smiths Falls
COST: $25
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Facebook and Google Ads
Learn the basics of using Google AdWords and Facebook ads to enhance your marketing skills.
WHEN: Thursday, October 12, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporation, 91 Cornelia Street West,
Smiths Falls
COST: Free
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Business Succession Plans
Topics will include taxation basics, business structure, facts on succession planning, options and the exit process.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 17, 9-11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporation,
91 Cornelia Street West,
Smiths Falls
COST: $20
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