Week of Nov. 6th, 2017
Georgina Economic Development Updates
The Town of Georgina was on site November 1st at the 2017 Ontario Public Buyers Association Reverse Vendor Trade Show in Oakville, Ontario located in The Oakville Conference Centre. Featuring staff from the Economic Development & Tourism Division and Purchasing Division.  

Georgina's new Investment Attraction trade show display and marketing materials were put to the test including the new investment attraction video.

The new Investment Attraction folder kits were given out including interactions with over 100 business contacts. The municipality will continue to take part in upcoming trade shows which will put Georgina on the map and ensure that investors will Choose Georgina

Her Honour the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, made an official visit to the Town of Georgina on Friday, October 27. Discussions were held at the Civic Centre with members of Town Council, local businesses, education and agricultural stakeholders with a focus on United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. It was a pleasure to host Her Honour the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell and all attending guests for the important discussions.

On October 27th ClearWater Farm hosted an Open House to celebrate their accomplishments and the opening of the new laneway.

Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell made a special appearance congratulating ClearWater Farms. The event was also attended by the Minister of the Environment , representatives of York Region, Mayor and Council from Georgina, representatives from Enbridge, Dufferin Construction , Lafarge, the Prince's Charities, and all of the other donors who have helped make the project possible.


The event showcased ClearWater Farms fresh, nutritious food using organic and regenerative practices that showcase the creative potential of sustainable agriculture.

Click Here to view the video of Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell at ClearWater Farms. 


The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) named the world's Smart21 Communities of 2018. This select group of communities, which emerged from a group of nearly 400, will now move on and remain in contention for the prestigious designation of an Intelligent Community Top 7, to be named in February 2018. One of the seven will then be named Intelligent Community of the Year at the ICF 2018 Global Summit in London England in June 2018.

Back in July 12th a workshop session was held at The Link in Georgina to assist with the application that was submitted by York Region.

The Intelligent Community Forum is a global network of cities and regions with a think tank at its centre. Its mission is to help communities use information and communications technology (ICT) to create inclusive prosperity, tackle social and governance challenges and enrich their quality of life.

All nine municipalities benefit York Region with being identified as a Smart21 Community of 2018.
On October 26th the York Small Business Enterprise Centre (YSBEC) hosted a workshop at The Link in Sutton teaching you how to launch your own brand of products that will generate passive online income month over month.

Speaker Matthew Kostanecki led the workshop who is a branding expert which teaches how businesses can use marketing strategies to make more money, learn how to get more customers, build your brand and have fun while doing it!

Be sure to stay tuned on other upcoming workshops that will take place in Georgina. For more information regarding YSBEC please Click Here.

If you also have topic suggestions for upcoming workshops you would like to see within Georgina please contact Sean Columbus

2018 Georgina Municipal Budget.budget
Preparations are well underway for the 2018 Budget. As part of the process, the public is encouraged to provide input on how tax dollars should be spent. Residents can complete a survey, attend a meeting or send an email to provide comments. See this link for more info. 

Please join us  for a regionally focused workshop designed to provide O.N.E.  members and their venture clients with Ontario-wide information and tools to support the development of social enterprise, within your communities.

We will introduce and define a spectrum of social purpose entities and walk you through the phases and stages of social enterprise development; from ideation, to start-up, to runway, investment readiness and scale.

We will be looking for your feedback on the unique needs of your venture clients and your communities. Discussion will follow on how the program can best support your work.


Registration is necessary. Eventbrite link coming soon. In the meantime please contact:  Heather Farquharson
416-979-3939 ext. 44 
If you are eligible, register for free, with Ontario By Bike: Here are some reasons why you should:

1) Get your Business Listing Linked to "Great Places to Cycle: York Region and Greenbelt Areas". Ontario By Bike has a dedicated webpage that showcases cycle experiences and information in the region including; maps and online resources, routes, trails and mountain biking. Your business will be linked to the relevant region page for consumers to find, helping them plan their next cycling holiday in York Region.  www.ontariobybike.ca/York

2) Ontario By Bike Newsletter. Ontario By Bike will be highlighting the region as a great place to cycle and will include a link to the bicycle friendly businesses in an upcoming consumer newsletter in Spring 2018.

Businesses within the Jackson's Point BIA are currently participating in the Ontario By Bike Program and we strongly encourage businesses and stakeholders to register.

Click Here to Register
Inaugural York Farm Fresh Organization Meeting Nov 27th.farmfresh

A dedicated group of volunteers have met multiple times to draft what a new organization could look like to promote farm fresh products produced in York Region.

Come out and hear about the process and their recommendations. This is your opportunity to volunteerand take a leadership role in this new organization for 2018.

Who Should Attend:
  • Direct Farm Markets
  • Agri-Tourism Businesses
  • Farm Gate Businesses
  • Farmers Markets
  • Farmer Market Vendors
  • Local Food Retailers/Restaurants/Caterers
  • Municipal/Regional Government
  • Organizations with an interest in local food
Time: 7:30 p.m.

RSVP by November 25th: Email Kim Empringham or call (905)-888-1235.

Click Here for the flyer.
Call For 2018 Georgina Festivals.yorkfestivals

The York Region Arts Council to invite you to attend an upcoming Info Session about the 2018 York Region Festival Trail campaign. They are offering an Info Session (November 15thwhere they will unveil their 2018 Strategy, and present all the different ways they support and foster the growth of York Region festivals. The aim is to recruit more festivals like yours, under a common theme that celebrates music, and the sounds of York Region. Join them and find out how being on the #YRFestivalTrail offers many member benefits, and can boost your festival's visibility.

INFO SESSION:
Wednesday, November 15th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at NewMakeIt, Newmarket -  Click Here to register

Contact Kareen Awadalla for more details. 
G TTI Ontario 150 Mural Project.gtti 

The Georgina Trades Training Centre (GTTI) just recently finished their Ontario 150 Celebration Mural Project. It involves the design, creation, installation and celebration of a series of murals with the theme of the Ontario Worker: Past, Present and Future.

The project was partially funded by the Town of Georgina's Economic Development & Community Building Grant Program. Click Here for more details on the program and for application forms if you wish to apply for a grant. 
Funding Still Available for 2017 Community Improvement Plan Grants! Apply Now.CIP

Lake Simcoe Arms Before and After recent Facade enhancements.

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is intended  to improve a defined area within a community that has been identified as in need of revitalization. The CIP will articulate visions for Uptown Keswick, Downtown Sutton and Downtown Jackson's Point.  

2017 GRANT PROGRAMS:
Click Here to view the application forms. Please note the CIP Grants are only available for businesses within the BIA Boundaries. 

Contact Sean Columbus if you are interested.
Economic Development Officer
905-476-4301 ext. 2330
Economic Development Community Building Grant Application Revised.commbett

The Economic Development Community Building Grant has been updated. The objective of the grant program is to provide financial assistance for programs and events that serve to promote the Town of Georgina to markets outside Georgina, generate economic opportunities for the local business community and provide for the betterment of the Community. In order to take full advantage of the collaborative marketing efforts provided by the Economic Development & Tourism Division, applications should be submitted six (6) months prior to the event date. You can view the revised application by visiting Clicking Here.

If you are interested in applying please contact Cristina Liu via email cliu@georgina.ca or call 905-476-4301 ext 2300."
MARKETING TIPS
Google TrendsMarketing

A quick browse or search through Google Trends can show you the hockey-stick rise of potential terms and SEO opportunities for your content. Click Here to explore trending topics now.


Do you have any suggestions for our newsletter? Please let us know by emailing Sean Columbus
In This Issue 
Georgina at Oakville Reverse Trade Show

Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell Congratulates ClearWater Farms

Download the 2017 Discover Georgina Visitor's Guide Today!
Upcoming Georgina Events

Routes Connecting Communities Group Bus Trips.

Nov 8th - Vaughan Mills
Nov 17th - Markham Home for Holidays
Nov 30th - Distillery District Christmas Market
Dec 8 - Upper Canada Mall.

Click Here  for full details including pricing.

To register, please call Shelley at 905-722-4616

The Road to Vimy: The Canadians in World War I, Nov 9th.

Presented by: Lit on Tour at The Link, Sutton

In an engaging talk, Hugh Brewster, the author of At Vimy Ridge and From Vimy to Victory, describes the experiences of Canada's soldiers in World War 1. With excerpts from the letters of soldiers and nurses, period songs and archival images and footage, Hugh powerfully evokes this important time in our history. A perfect way to commemorate the 100th anniversary year of the battle of Vimy Ridge.

Click Here for info.

Tickets available at: litontour.com

Queensville Players presents "A Christmas Carol" Dec 1st.   Click Here to purchase tickets.

Kenny & Dolly: Together Again - Tribute Dec 9th.  Click Here to purchase tickets.  

John McDermott Dec 20th. Call the box office at 905-476-0193 to purchase tickets.

Georgina Ski & Board Swap Nov 11th. 

New and used equipment available at The ROC. Looking to sell your used equipment? Drop-Off Fri. Nov. 10th. 

Click Here for info.

St. Thomas Aquinas Christmas Market Nov 11th.  

Vendors, crafts, food, door prizes and more.

Click Here for info.

Georgina Santa Claus Parade Nov 18th and Dec 2nd.  

Join us for the 2017 Santa Claus Parade!.

To be part of the fun please complete a Registration Form

Keswick Santa Claus Parade - Nov 18th.

Sutton Santa Claus Parade - Dec 2nd.

Click Here for info. 

GTTI's 6th Annual One Stop Holiday Shop Nov 19th. 

Shop local! Join GTTI for a one-day holiday shopping event with a large variety of some of your favorite products!

The One Stop Holiday Shop is a fundraiser to help The Training Centre - GTTI to sustain vital programs that support community members in achieving their training and employment goals.

Admission is a $1 donation to The Training Centre - GTTI or a non-perishable food items donation to the Georgina Community Food Pantry.

Click Here for info.

Festival of Lights & Old Fashioned Christmas Nov 25th. 

Festival of Lights - Enjoy the magic and splendor of the holiday season as we light up the Pioneer Village grounds in this annual event. Take part in a sing-along with Mayor and Council, a visit with Santa and witness the unveiling of the lights.

Old Fashioned Christmas - Kick off the holiday season by stepping back in time to enjoy the signs, smells and sounds that a 19th Century Christmas would bring. Live music, tree decorating, holiday crafts, hot apple cider, historic demonstrations and so much more! 

Click Here for info.

Uptown Keswick Tree Lighting Nov 24th.

Photos with Santa, music, open store events and delicious food. Don't miss this family friendly holiday event.

Click Here  for info.

Jackson's Point BIA Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Nov 25th.

Celebration of Christmas and Channukah in Jackson's Point. Enjoy Christmas Carols, Channukah songs, hot chocolate and festive treats.

Click Here  for info.

An Elegant Evening with John McDermott Dec 20th. 

Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m.

Location: Stephen Leacock Theatre.

Tickets: $89 each and includes admission, meet & greet, wine and hors d'ourves. Also FREE CD to each!.

Click Here for info.

To purchase tickets, call the box office at 905-476-0193

Yorkworks Sutton Workshops and Upcoming Events November Calendar

Click Here for info.

Georgina Business Consultations

Join the York Small Business Enterprise Centre for free one-on-one business consultations right in the Town of Georgina!

Registration is free and secures your sport for a private one-hour session with a Small Business Consultant. Spaces are very limited.

Nov 21st at 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dec 12th at 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.


Click Here for info.
Town of Georgina - Economic Development & Tourism Division | 905-476-4301
| ed@georgina.ca | www.georgina.ca
Town of Georgina
26557 Civic Centre Road
Keswick, L4P 3G1