Week of April 15 - 19 , 2019
Georgina Economic Development Updates
Clearwater Farm showcased their new apprenticeship program funded by RBC Royal Bank of Canada this past week on Earth Day. Two new agri-preneurs, Danielle Flynn and Alexandra Powell will be taking advantage of the innovative five year program which gives them the opportunity to develop their skills and learn the agriculture business market.

ClearWater Farm is the flagship project of the Ontario Water Centre which is being developed on 22 acres at 481 Lake Drive East, Willow Beach, leased from the Town of Georgina.

Click Here for more details regarding ClearWater Farm and their upcoming plans for the future.
2019 Summer Company Programsummer

Are you still enrolled in a secondary or post secondary institution as a full-time student but want to launch your own business? Apply to the York Small Business Enterprise Centre (YSBEC) Summer Company and work for yourself when you're not in school.

Each summer, and through the Ontario Government, YSBEC administers its " Summer Company" program which is designed to foster and develop the entrepreneurial spirit in students between the ages of 15 to 29 as of April 30, 2019, and who are registered to return to school full-time in September 2019.

Click Here for more details.   
New York Farm Fresh Signage Program Launchedfarmfresh

York Farm Fresh is pleased to offer the York Farm Fresh Signage Program developed with York Region Transportation Department.

The new program will mean significant cost savings for members because  the York Farm Fresh Association is gathering all applications and payment and submitting them all in one package to York Region for processing and installation. The old Farm Fresh Signs will be removed by the Region once the new sign program begins. Only Farm members are eligible for this program. 

Click Here for more details. 
Coming Soon: York Region Employment Survey Staff in Georgina

Be on the lookout for the York Region Employment Survey crew this spring and summer in Georgina. The survey is intended to monitor the location and characteristics of businesses within York Region by collecting business details. 

Why Take the Survey?
  • Receive a free business listing in the York Region Business Directory
  • Discover opportunities for growing your company
  • Build business-to-business relationships with other York Region companies
  • Strengthen our local business economy
Click Here for more details
OBIAA Releases New Accessibility Handbook for Businessesobiaa

The Ontario BIA Association announces the release of the Business of Accessibility Handbook: How to Make Your Main Street Business Accessibility Smart".This handbook offers no cost and low-cost ideas, gathered from people with first-hand experience, to inspire businesses to go beyond the minimum requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarian's with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

Online version will be available soon on OBIAA's website.
Lost Your Ash Tree? Let us help you replace itleaf 
Right now LEAF is offering an extra bonus to York Region residents who are replacing dying, dead or removed ash trees impacted by the emerald ash borer.

This is applicable to businesses within Georgina.  Landowners who are replacing lost ash trees will qualify for an additional $100 per tree rebate when they participate in the LEAF full-service tree planting program (limit of two rebates per property, restrictions apply).

Find out how easy it is to replace your ash tree.
Call 1-888-453-6504 or visit yourleaf.org
Economic Development & Community Building Grant Programintake

Be sure to submit your applications on time for when your event takes place. Please note that you cannot apply within 120 days of when your event takes place.   The updated application form can be downloaded on choosegeorgina.ca.

Some updates to the 2019 grant process include:
  • The Economic Development Committee (EDC) will review applications at two remaining intake periods (May 1 and September 1). After a grant application is considered by the EDC, a report with recommendations will be provided to Council for final approval.
  • Organizers may receive funding towards their festival or event up to a maximum of $5,000.
  • For any expenses that exceed $500 and for which funding is being requested, a quote must be provided with the grant application.
For more information or to apply, contact
Sean Columbus at scolumbus@georgina.ca  or call 905-476-4301 ext. 2330
Development Application Fee Rebate Programrebate
Council recently approved the implementation of a Development Application Fee Rebate Program. This is just one of the initiatives Council has approved to encourage new investment and expansion of our existing businesses. Eligibility for this new incentive program will be related to the number of full-time jobs created/retained and the amount of office, industrial or institutional floor area created.

Click Here for full details on the program and apply today.
No Customers? Try Fixing Up Your Business! Apply Now for a Community Improvement Plan Grant.cipprogram

Pepperwood Design Before and After Facade enhancements.

Is your building in need of improvements? 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 articulates a vision for Uptown Keswick, Downtown Sutton and Downtown Jackson's Point.

Click Here to view the application forms.  Please note the CIP Grants are only available for businesses within the BIA Boundaries. Applications must be submitted & approved before work starts.

Contact Sean Columbus at 905-476-4301 ext. 2330 or scolumbus@georgina.ca for more information.
FEATURED PROPERTIES
5189 Baseline Rd, Sutton 
$1,180,000
For Sale
24516 Highway 48, Georgina

If you have a property listed for sale or for lease that you wish to have featured in upcoming editions of the
e-newsletter please contact ed@georgina.ca 

For a map of "For Sale" listings of Commercial & Industrial Properties please Click Here. 

Disclaimer: Listings are provided to the Town from brokers, real estate agents, and various real estate websites. The Town of Georgina assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information shown, and does not make any representation, warranties or guarantees of any kind in relation to the listings in this e-newsletter or the properties described therein.  Please contact the real estate agent or other contact person identified on the listing to verify all information.
BUSINESS & MARKETING TIPS
If you were asked to describe a friend in three words you'd have no problem. Maybe you'd say he was fun or kind, perhaps you see him as loyal or generous. But if I asked you to tell me about your company's attributes or brand's characteristics you'd probably struggle. We invest a lot of time and resources in becoming known without clarifying what we want to be known for.

1) Can you describe your company in three words?
2) Are those the three words you aspire to be known for?
3) Are those three words how your customers already describe you?
4) If so, how can you continue to tell that story?
5) If not, what needs to change for you to become the company you want to be?

Article Courtesy of The Story of Telling
Do you have any suggestions for our newsletter? Please let us know by emailing Sean Columbus
In This Issue 







No Customers? Fix Up Your Business!
Apply for 2019 Community Improvement Plan Grant
 

Featured Commercial Properties

Upcoming Events

Georgina Chamber of Commerce Discover Georgina Show May 4th & 5th, 2019

Mark your calendar for a weekend that showcases all the great things Georgina has to offer!  
 
Discover Georgina is a show for everyone, featuring businesses and organizations that have something to offer our municipality.  Whether you live, work or play in this community, this show has something to offer you!


Click Here for full details

Georgina Farmers' Market May 19 - Sept 29, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Georgina Farmers' Market features more than 30 vendors offering a wide range of local products including produce, meats, baked goods and home made products, from local vendors


Click Here for full details

The Ones Vehicle Events Saturdays May 25 - Sept 7, 2019 

Come join us every Saturday, from May to Sept each year. This is just the start of what will blossom into many summer memories for those with a passion for vehicles from the classics to the latest. This is an organized event and not specific to car clubs, so all are welcome to attend for free. There are no memberships for cars partaking in the show. The shows are free courtesy of Gina, Gary, and a core group of financial supporters.


Click Here to contact with questions.

Uptown Keswick Carnival Benefit June 8, 2019 

The night will showcase our first responders and other community groups that help support  our community. Entertainment will include a carnival themed night including games, mural painting, face painting, food vendors and other vendors, and live bands. Donations will be made to Salvation Army and Crime Stoppers. 
 

Click Here for more details.

Do-It Yourself Search Engine Optimization Workshop May 22, 2019

You don't need to pay a company by the word to make blog posts for you just to be seen on Google. Join Canada's first blogger (Rick Tanton) for a look at ways to promote your business that not only boost your search presence but help you share your knowledge, be seen as an expert, and convert more leads to sales.

Learn the delicate balance between keyword research and writing like a real person, the emergence of podcasts and how you could use them to share your expertise, and how to prepare for a Google Home & Alexa world of voice searches. Marketing yourself can be fun!

Brought to you by the York Small Business Enterprise Centre (YSBEC)

Date:  May 22, 2019
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.


Click Here to Register.

2019 Georgina Group Business Consultations

Are you thinking of starting a business? Participating in a group consultation is a great way to navigate the initial steps to starting a business. Group Consultations are driven by the attending participants and their questions.

Date: May 16
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

____________________

2019 Georgina One-on-one Business Consultations

Whether you are a new business or you are already established, let's review your ideas and business needs together. Consultations cover information on marketing, business planning, financing to help you move forward and grow your business.

Dates: June 19
Time: Between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 


or call 1-877-464-9675 ext. 71584

Upcoming Events at Stephen Leacock Theatre 

Check out these exciting events.

April 27, 2019 - Tribute to Bruce Springsteen

May 11, 2019 - Last Waltz Live (A Musical Celebration of The Band

June 1, 2019 - The Good Brothers

July 6, 2019 - Brothers Gibb: The Bee Gees Story

August 23, 2019 - "ABBA Magic" 

Click Here for more details and for full listing of productions.

Georgina Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar

Click Here for full details

Sutton Workshops & Events April Calendar

Click Here for full details

Georgina Trades Training Inc. 2019 Calendar of Events

Click Here for full details
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