Table of Contents

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Trade Mission
• Digital Digest Volume 4 | Creating Branded Content
• Retrofit Training Opportunities for Businesses
• Race to Net Zero Event on April 22
• Terra Cotta Foods Ltd. Expands Georgetown Plant
• Halton Region Reports and Upcoming Webinars
• 2023 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario
• 2023 Federal Budget: A Made-In-Canada Plan
• Free Digital Tourism Training for HHBRTA Members
• Government and Other News

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Trade Mission

In November 2022, Invest Halton Hills staff embarked on the Town’s first in-market, international trade mission to Germany and Netherlands. The objective of the trade mission was to showcase Halton Hills and attract new investments from abroad by conducting in-person meetings with pre-qualified companies and investment intermediaries located in Halton Hills’ FDI target markets.

The trade mission was highly successful and centered on a robust schedule. Staff conducted 30 face-to-face meetings with pre-qualified investment leads and key investment intermediaries, with five companies identified for ongoing investment follow-up and significant exposure of the Halton Hills brand as a prime investment destination.

Deliverables significantly exceeded the pre-mission goal of 5-10 meetings per market. Complementing the pre-qualified meetings, was attendance at the Smart Product Solutions (SPS) advanced manufacturing tradeshow in Germany.

Digital Digest Volume 4 | Creating Branded Content

As part of the Town’s Digital Main Street (DMS) program, check out Invest Halton Hills’ monthly segment ‘Digital Digest’ to learn how small business branding allows you to establish your brands' identity and get noticed and remembered by consumers.

The DMS program is available for small businesses with under 50 employees located within Halton Hills looking to make upgrades and improvements to their digital offerings including website upgrades, e-commerce, digital advertising and social media. Businesses who have previously participated in DMS are able to continue to receive support.

Please contact the Halton Hills DMS Coordinator, Natalie, at dms@haltonhills.ca to review your marketing goals and determine your eligibility for the available grants and services. Visit the website to learn more about DMS.

Retrofit Training Opportunities for Businesses

Are you a builder, contractor, or business looking to partake in retrofit training to increase your knowledge of green technology? Below are two opportunities being offered by recognized leaders in the industry:

April 13 | Not all Heat Pumps are Created Equal

Learn about key performance metrics and simple tools to help with the selection and design of ASHP systems in homes. Learn more.

April 16-19 | Net Zero Leadership Summit 2023

Taking place in Stratford, come together with informative speakers, training, and a grand tour of some building sites that showcase good building science. Learn more.

Interested in learning more about these opportunities? Contact our Retrofit Halton Hills Program Coordinator, Alexis Buset.



Join Us on April 22 for Race To Net Zero

Invite to Local Businesses to Participate

The Town of Halton Hills and the Your Green Homes Team are collaborating to host an exciting Race to Net Zero event on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Acton Arena and Community Centre, and we want you to be part of this special event.

Race to Net Zero event is free to participate in and attend. If you offer products and services that reduce carbon emissions in our community, we are inviting you to set up a booth at this one-day event.

Event highlights include:

• Owners and dealers of fully electric vehicles will be available to answer questions.
• Plug’n Drive will offer free test drives of electric vehicles.
• Businesses offering green products that assist in reducing carbon emissions.
• Annual Halton Hills Used Bike Swap – 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
• Presentations on solar, energy efficiency ground source pumps, and implementing climate solutions at home.
• Active transportation booths on scooters, bikes, and electric bikes.
• Family Storytime hosted by Halton Hills Public Library. Plant your own bean to take home, enjoy a special Storywalk®, and visit the Seed Library.

To participate in this free event please register by April 2, 2023 by emailing Climate Change Outreach Coordinator, Jennifer Spence, at jennifers@haltonhills.ca.

Terra Cotta Foods Ltd. Expands Georgetown Plant

Halton Region | Reports & Upcoming Webinars

On March 22, Halton Region Economic Development released the 2022 Halton Region Economic Review. The Review highlights Halton’s economy, labour market, real estate development, as well as notable business stories and an overview of the Region’s Economic Development services and key initiatives over the past year. 

On March 15, Halton Region Economic Development released results of the 2022 Halton Region Business Conditions Survey administered in late 2022. The survey asked Halton businesses about the state of their operations, their ongoing recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic and their outlook for the upcoming year.

New Starter Company Plus Cohort Launching Soon

The Halton Small Business Centre is launching a new Starter Company Plus cohort this spring. Starter Company Plus supports eligible (aspiring) entrepreneurs looking to build their small businesses. The program provides training, mentoring, advice, and an opportunity to receive a $5,000 grant.

Join the Halton Small Business Centre for a mandatory virtual information session to learn more:

• April 4: 10 - 11:30 a.m. register online
• April 5: 6:30 - 8 p.m. register online

For more information about the Starter Company Plus program, visit the website.

Summer Company 2023 Program

The Halton Small Business Centre is pleased to present the 2023 Summer Company program. The Summer Company program helps enterprising students between the ages of 15 and 29 start and run their own summer business. The Halton Region Small Business Centre coordinates the program locally, and delivers it with the support of experienced business advisors from the community.

The Summer Company program offers young entrepreneurs: hands-on business training and mentoring; up to $1,500 in the spring to help with business start-up costs; and up to $1,500 upon successful completion of the program requirements. Visit the website for more information.

2023 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario

On March 23, Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, released Ontario's 2023 Budget: Building a Strong Ontario. Some of the key insights include:

• No changes to the corporate or personal tax rates, or the $500,000 small business limit.
• The new Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, which provides a 10 per cent credit to Canadian-controlled private corporations with a permanent establishment in Ontario on qualifying investments.
• A harmonized 12 per cent tax rate on certain wine and wine coolers to replace the four existing tax rates in place, effective July 1, 2023.
• Other notable items such as significant investments in housing, workforce, infrastructure, critical mineral strategy, and support for low-income seniors.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has provided a summary of highlights from the perspective of the Ontario business community.

2023 Federal Budget: A Made-In-Canada Plan

On March 28, Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, presented the 2023 Federal budget, A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, Healthy Future. The 2023 budget presents the following priorities:

• Making life more affordable and supporting the middle class.
• Investing in public health care and affordable dental care.
• Made-In-Canada Plan: affordable energy, good jobs, and a growing clean economy.
• Advancing reconciliation and building a Canada that works for everyone.
• Canada’s leadership in the world.
• Effective government and a fair tax system.

In the Ontario Chamber of Commerce reaction to the budget, they outline several measures that are welcomed news to the Ontario business community. In addition to those listed above, additional priorities include:

• Incentivizing investments in the green economy, with new refundable tax credits for clean electricity, carbon capture, and equipment to manufacture and process clean technologies and critical minerals; an expansion of the reduced corporate income tax rates for zero-emission technologies; and funding through the Canada Infrastructure Bank for major clean infrastructure projects.
• Mitigating supply chain challenges by introducing measures to support a National Supply Chain Strategy and developing transportation supply chain data that will help reduce congestion, improve efficiency, and inform future infrastructure planning.

Free Digital Tourism Training for HHBRTA Members

The Tourism Digital Marketing Course has been designed by some of North America’s foremost tourism marketing experts, with the singular goal of getting businesses started with foundational skills and understanding of leading digital marketing tools, tactics, and strategies.

As a member of HHBRTA, you can access 12 engaging, short lessons that start by building a foundation and move into skills like SEO, Social Media and Email Marketing, culminating in a creative planning lesson that will give you a concrete method to turn your ideas into real, impactful work.

After completing all lessons and quizzes, you will receive a certificate that highlights your accomplishment.

Government & Other News

Ontario invests in Inclusive and Accessible Communities

Applications are now open for the 2023-24 Inclusive Community Grants. These grants provide municipalities, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities with up to $60,000 for local projects that will help older residents and people with disabilities participate in community life. Learn more.

Ontario introducing new Investment Tax Credit for manufacturers

The Ontario Government has announced plans for a new Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. 

As part of the upcoming 2023 Budget, the government will propose legislation that would, if passed, create a new 10 per cent refundable corporate income tax credit of up to $2 million a year for Canadian-controlled private corporations on qualifying investments in buildings, machinery and equipment for use in manufacturing or processing in the province. Read more.

Halton Region seeking businesses input on key priorities for 2023-2026

Halton Regional Council is developing a Strategic Business Plan that will guide the Region’s work over the next four years. Between March 23 and May 4, 2023, Halton Region is asking businesses to participate in consultation activities and provide feedback on the consultation document. Learn more.

Food Processing Skills Canada's Student Work Placement Program - Funding Available

Summer applications are open for employers in food and beverage manufacturing (and related businesses) to receive up to $7,000 for hiring a domestic student in Canada.

Apply at swpp-fpsc.com.

Share your perspective on the future of tourism in RTO3: The Heart of Ontario 

RTO3: The Heart of Ontario are working on developing a 3-year Tourism Strategic Plan that will guide the organization’s work moving forward. The survey will close on Monday, April 17, 2023. Please use the link below to complete the survey, and feel free to share the link with others you feel have something valuable to share. Visit the survey here.

Subscribe to Let's Talk Halton Hills

The Town's Let's Talk public engagement platform gives you an opportunity to provide input on issues that impact you. Sign up by clicking the button below and the Town will send you email updates with opportunities to give feedback on projects, policies, and services that matter. Subscribe here.

Halton Hills Economic Development Services

Halton Hills’ Economic Development, Innovation and Culture division provides a full suite of high-quality services and supports to the business community that in turn foster a prosperous economy and enhance quality of life. These include:

• Financial incentives via the Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
• Business retention and expansion (BR&E) programming.
• Investment attraction, expansion, and relocation.
• Business concierge service.
• Site selection assistance.
• Market research.
• Industry engagement.
• Workforce development.
• Supporting and advancing affordable housing projects and initiatives.
• Amplifying tourism’s economic benefits.
• Leveraging and supporting the arts and culture sector to raise quality of life.

The Town offers existing and potential businesses a strategic platform for success, proximity to world-class markets, a distinct community with an ideal balance between urban and rural environments, and an outstanding quality of life.

Please contact the Town’s Economic Development staff if you require assistance.

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