Greetings,
I remember back in January 2004 standing with my boss in the charred remains of our office 3 or 4 days after the great Precast fire of ’04. We had to wait for the fire Marshall to finish their investigation and our insurance company to finish theirs before we were allowed in. I remember the palpable relief that despite the destruction all around us that by some miracle our accounting records remained intact. Cell phones weren’t the handy tool they are now and by an even greater stroke of luck I had a back up copy of my contact book in the vault and it was okay too. I’m not one to revert often to foul language but I turned the air blue on the (out of town) contractor who picked that exact moment to hand his card through the window looking to quote on our rebuild. I also remember a great sense of resolve. Never once did I think we were done.
I have thought a lot in the past week about our business friends on Mill street. They are going through some tough times right now. Many have had to move, a few more are still looking for that new spot. DBOT has some free space in the business hub if any of them can use it. Beyond that though what they all really need is for us to patronize them. If you were a regular at any of their spots before their fire seek them out now and just be a customer. If any of them are a place you’ve been to and have been thinking about going back for a while they need you now. Same goes for those who have been thinking about giving one of them a try. There is no better time than now to get out your wallet.
Many of them will be going through a dark time right now so I want to offer up some hope. If someone were to ask me about the greatest success of my business career I’d point to the fire we had here. It was hard to see it then but it ended up being a wonderful opportunity for us. We have these great, new, larger facilities that followed all of that pain. Hopefully our friends on Mill street can all see the opportunity ahead of them too.
When you’re done your drive down Mill street maybe head a little West and take a tour down the new revamped Centennial Road. There are a big pile of businesses along there that have put up with a whole lot of pain while that road went through its much needed reconstruction. There is little doubt that it has impacted their bottom lines also so they could use a little boost too.
Finally, I’ll close with a big thank-you to Tim Venn, Megan Gupta-Young and their golf committee for organizing an ever so successful DBOT golf tournament. Further thanks to all of our sponsors and those that made it our for a great and fun day of golf. It’s so nice that these events are happening again!
Doug Harkness,
Chair - Dufferin Board of Trade
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Dream Dufferin Interactive Trades Night |
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Wondering what to do after graduation? Looking for an exciting 2nd career? Want to work close to home?
This event is for YOU!
Featuring hands-on demos, local skilled tradespeople, dynamic keynote speaker Jamie McMillan of KickAss Careers, and much more. This event will show local students and their parents, second-career seekers, and commuters some of the exciting, in-demand, well-paying career options available in skilled trades in the Dufferin area.
Join us on September 14, 2022 at the Tony Rose Arena in Orangeville. This event will be held at 1-4 pm and again from 6-8 pm!
This event is supported by the Town of Orangeville, the Upper Grand District School Board, the Workforce Planning Board, Career Education Council, OMAFRA’s Rural Economic Development fund, and many other local organizations and businesses.
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Dufferin Biz Hub - Outdoor Board Room
The warm weather is here and so is our seasonal Outdoor Board Room. Book your spot today and enjoy the nature Dufferin has to offer!
What's included:
- 10’x20′ outdoor tent
- chairs & tables
- access to washrooms and kitchenette inside the building
- high-speed Wi-Fi
- adjacent to Mono Pollinator Garden
The Dufferin Biz Hub provides you with a professional space and support to work, connect and grow your business!
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#ThinkLocal Advertising Bundles |
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#ThinkLocal Advertising Bundles help DBOT members save money on multi-channel local advertising. The program consists of a quarterly commitment and advertises your business on radio, newspaper, social media, our website and newsletter. The power of bulk buying ads gives businesses more visibility (more impressions) for a lower monthly cost. Reach new markets on various channels which may have been too expensive on your own.
Package Deal Includes:
- Over a three-month period you will receive:
- 36 spots on Country 105 Radio
- 36 Spots on Orangeville’s Local Radio station
- 3 spots in the Orangeville Banner
- 3 spots in the Orangeville Citizen
- 3 ads in the DBOT Newsletter
- 3 monthly web banners on DBOT’s website
- 3 posts on DBOT’s Instagram
- 3 posts on DBOT’s Facebook
- complimentary creative and design work
All for $300/month (+HST) for three months
If you are interested, please fill click the button below and we will be in touch!
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Apply For The Grow Your Business Online Grant
As part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Government of Canada has partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to deliver the Grow Your Business Online grant.
Through this program, small business owners can receive a micro-grant worth up to $2,400 to help get their business online, give their e-commerce presence a boost, or digitalize business operations. Grant recipients must commit to maintaining their digital adoption strategy for at least six months.
In addition, e-commerce advisors will be available to work with grant recipients to help identify their digital needs, provide links to digital resources, help with completing applications, and answering questions on the Grow Your Business Online program.
If you have any questions about the Grow Your Business Online program, please contact us at cdap@occ.ca.
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Tourism-ready businesses have been submitting to be part of the Dufferin Tourism Trails project. Businesses can identify certain categories that appeal to locals and visitors’ areas of interest, receive any necessary coaching in these areas, and then benefit from the extensive advertising campaign to attract tourists from outside our area to Dufferin.
SAVE THE DATE Announcement… the coaching sessions for certain categories have been confirmed, Tuesday September 20th. To register or learn more, click below.
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Thank you for your interest in the coaching sessions for specific categories: LGBTG + Safe Space, Tourism Attraction, Accessible, Environmentally Responsibility or Socially Responsible:
SAVE THE DATE… the coaching sessions for certain categories have been confirmed, Tuesday September 20th
More details will be sent to you closer to the day including the Agenda, Presenters and What to Expect during the coaching session!
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Hands-on demos. Local skilled tradespeople. Dynamic keynote speaker Jamie McMillan of KickAss Careers. And much more!
Show local students and their parents, second-career seekers, and commuters some of the exciting, in-demand, well-paying career options available in skilled trades in the Dufferin area.
Inspire the future of skilled trades!
Paul Janssen, from JDC Custom Homes says, "As you all know, we need more young people to be interested in a career working in skilled trades. The obstacle, I think, we’re facing, has many different tiers but if we keep it simple, I feel it comes down to education & exposure to available options. We ( I mean people already in the trades. You and me. ) will have to do our part to make an impact on today’s young people to influence their future choices regarding their careers....How can we get more of these young people interested in our trades or how can we show their parents that careers in skilled trades can be very honorable and/or rewarding? How can you make a difference? I’m glad you asked!"
Get involved in Dream Dufferin - Set up an indoor or outdoor booth and let's show them what sort of opportunities are available locally and how rewarding a career in skilled trades can be!
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Your future workforce will be at Dream Dufferin on September 14th. Don't miss them.
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Community Handyman Service Inc |
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Taphouse Craft Beer + Kitchen |
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Save the Date - Mono All Candidates Meeting |
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Mono All Candidates meeting, hosted by DBOT, the evening of October 4th, at Monora Park.
More details to come!
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NEWS FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS |
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EMPLOYER INCENTIVE PROGRAMS INFORMATION SESSION |
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Georgian College Career and Employment Community Services is holding a virtual information session to highlight government-funded employment and training programs for employers and their staff.
Date:
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 20, 10-10:30 am
Our programs are free to eligible employers, and include:
· Free job postings
· Up to $6000 hiring incentive for new employees
· Accessing skilled candidates for apprenticeships
· Job coaching
· Up to 83% of the cost of third party training
· Manufacturing-sector microcredentials
· Occupation-specific language training for internationally-trained professionals
· Networking and mentorship opportunities for newcomers
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Smart, Sharp & Successful Series:
A Joy Foster Event
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Join Kimberlite Enterprises for a Joy Foster Event! Showcasing different themes, on these dates:
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Save the Date - The Do's and Don't's of Job Postings: How to create job postings that WORK
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Save the Date - Outdoor Music Concert |
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Join Bethell Hospice on September 20th, 2022 for their exciting golf event located at Caledon Woods Golf Club!
This tournament features 18 holes with shared power carts, a delicious breakfast, a barbecue lunch, a cash bar, prizes and a silent auction.
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Greetings!
We are all in this together. If there is something you need please reach out to us.
Diana Morris, Executive Director
Lucy-May Gallagher, Community Engagement Manager
Jaemilyn Gavino, Digital Media Coordinator
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