Agriculture & Rural Economic Development Newsletter
February 2022 | Volume 11, Issue 1
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In This Issue:
Made in Durham
- Rediscover the Downtowns of Durham: Shortiss Café|Bar
Grown in Durham
- Ken Knox - Member of the Order of Canada
Regional Feature
- Explore Careers in Agriculture: New Video Series Launched
Programs, Updates & News
- Durham Region Job Board
- Downtowns of Durham
- Durham Region added to the Ontario Barn Quilt Trail
Funding Opportunities
- Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant
- Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program
- New Targeted Intake for Rural Economic Development (RED) Program
- Extended Deadline: Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program
- Addressing Agri-Food Sector Labour Force Challenges
- SARPAL Funding Intake
- Local Lockdown Benefit: Wage and Rent Support
- Deadline Extended: Canada Emergency Business Account Loans
- CanExport: Export Funding
- COVID-19 Workplace Safety in Agriculture
- Young Entrepreneur Loan for Agribusiness Entrepreneurs
- Business Benefit Finder: Easily Navigate Government Support Programs
Upcoming Events
- Transition Planning: Turning Roadblocks into Building Blocks
- Vertical Farming 101: Webinar Series
- So You Think You Want To Farm? Two-Part Webinar Series
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Rediscover the Downtowns of Durham: Shortiss Café|Bar |
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Shortiss Café | Bar is a trendy new café in Beaverton that is named after the buildings’ original business, the Shortis(s) Hotel. The building was moved from its original location in 1885 to its current spot in the heart of downtown Beaverton. Offering specialty coffee, tea, hygge lunches, sweets and more, The Shortiss Café | Bar is the perfect place to relax, socialize or get some work done while enjoying a light meal on a cold winter’s day. In addition to the café, the upper level has returned to its roots with a four-room boutique hotel that accommodates visitors from around the world.
Shortiss Café|Bar is located at 379 Simcoe Street. Check out the café on Facebook or the hotel on Airbnb.
Photo Credit: Adeline Pettit Images
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Ken Knox - Member of the Order of Canada |
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In December, Kenneth Knox of Hampton received one of the highest civilian honours, the Order of Canada. Ken has supported agriculture in many high-profile ways including as the former Ontario Deputy Minister of Agriculture; one of the leaders in the establishment of Agricorp, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre; the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program and many more. We are humbled and proud to acknowledge Ken for this high achievement. Congratulations! Read more.
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Explore Careers in Agriculture: New Video Series Launched |
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Agriculture and agri-food production are one of the top economic drivers for Durham Region. You can now explore agriculture careers on the Agriculture Workforce webpage. Not only are these careers essential to supporting our local economy and to feed our growing community, but they offer a wide variety of professions to enter including farming, technology, equipment technicians, finance and marketing.
Agriculture career videos: This video series highlights agriculture and agri-food production careers. Each video includes how the person found their career, what they love most about it and the educational requirements needed to enter the profession.
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Are you looking for employment in Durham Region? The Durham Workforce Authority (DWA) offers an online job board that lists current job opportunities available throughout the Region. The DWA job board pulls from many popular websites such as Indeed, the Canada Job Bank, Kijiji and Workopolis,. You can filter by municipality, occupation type or even skill level.
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As we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Downtowns of Durham website continues to be your one-stop-shop for everything local business in Durham Region. Explore our continually updated lists of businesses located in any one of Durham Region’s 14 downtowns. Read stories about local gems, and shop online from the comfort of your own home using the Shop Durham Region Online Marketplace.
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Durham Region Added to the Ontario Barn Quilt Trail |
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We are excited to share that Durham Region now has a barn quilt trail which has been added to the Ontario Barn Quilt Trail website. Congratulations to the Durham Farm Connections Heritage Committee for their hard work in organizing the trail and connecting art to the story of our family farms across the region. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for barn quilts as you drive through our beautiful countryside.
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Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant |
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Small businesses in the Province of Ontario with fewer than 100 employees who were required to close as a result of public health orders that took effect on January 5, 2022, are now eligible to receive a grant of $10,000.
Businesses that previously applied to the Ontario Small Business Support Grant will be pre-screened to verify eligibility and will not need to apply for the new program! Newly established or newly eligible businesses are encouraged to apply.
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Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program |
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Ontario businesses that were required to close or reduce capacity as a result of public health measures imposed in response to the Omicron variant are eligible to receive rebate payments for a portion of the property tax and energy costs they incurred while subject to these measures. Eligible businesses required to reduce capacity by 50 per cent (e.g., retail stores) will receive a rebate equivalent to 50 per cent of their costs. Businesses required to close for indoor activities (e.g., restaurants, gyms, etc.) will receive a rebate equivalent to 100 per cent of their costs.
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New Targeted Intake for Rural Economic Development (RED) Program |
The Province of Ontario announced a new targeted intake for the Rural Economic Development (RED) program. This intake focuses on projects and initiatives that attract new residents and workers to rural areas. It also includes a focus on connecting youth and apprentices to job opportunities and creating dedicated spaces such as innovation hubs for youth to foster new ideas. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on March 7, 2022.
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Extended Deadline: Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program |
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The deadline for the Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program was extended to February 15, 2022 (or until funds run out). Eligible applications are received and assessed on a first-come-first-served basis. Available funding covers workplace COVID-19 prevention and responsive COVID-19 outbreak management.
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Addressing Agri-Food Sector Labour Force Challenges |
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Not-for-profit organizations involved in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sector that are heavily impacted by labour shortages and have the capacity to address gaps currently facing the sector/region are encouraged to apply for cost share funding to implement projects that address these issues. Funding is available for up to 70 per cent of eligible costs up to $250,000.
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Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) is an Environment and Climate Change Canada initiative that is focused on working with farmers to support the recovery of species at risk on agricultural land. Farmers wishing to implement an eligible Best Management Practice (BMP) on their farm property may be eligible to receive up to 50 per cent cost-share funding. Applications open February 14 and will remain open until February 18 or until funds are fully allocated.
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Local Lockdown Benefit: Wage and Rent Support |
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The Local Lockdown Program provides eligible businesses, charities and non-profits affected by a qualifying public health restriction with wage and rent support through the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP). You do not have to be in the tourism, hospitality, arts, entertainment or recreation sectors to be eligible for this support. For more details, check out the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program.
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Deadline Extended: Canada Emergency Business Account Loans |
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The federal government has extended the repayment deadline for Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans to December 31, 2023. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before this date will result in loan forgiveness up to 33 percent (up to $20,000).
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CanExport: Export Funding |
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Up to $50,000 is available for small and medium-sized businesses to help with international market development. Applications are being accepted until April 1, 2022.
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COVID-19 Workplace Safety in Agriculture |
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Funding is available through the Workplace Safety in Agriculture (WSPS) program for farmers and agri-businesses to receive professional consulting services that improve workplace safety related to COVID-19. Two days of tailored services will be provided and paid for by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership ($2,000 value).
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Young Entrepreneur Loan for Agribusiness Entrepreneurs |
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Financing of up to $1.5 million is available for qualified applicants under the age of 40 through the Young Entrepreneur Loan. This loan can be used to support starting and expanding your business and to purchase shares in an agri-business.
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Business Benefit Finder: Easily Navigate Government Support Programs |
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Check out the Federal Government’s Business Benefit Finder for information on programs, grants and funding opportunities for your business. In two minutes, you can receive a tailored list of government support programs and services available for your unique business.
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Transition Planning: Turning Roadblocks into Building Blocks |
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On February 11 at 12 p.m., join BDO and other farming operators to learn about the most common roadblocks to having healthy conversations with family members about business transition planning. You will see that overcoming these roadblocks might be easier than you think. Through this webinar you will learn how to effectively communicate with family, tax planning strategies based on new legislation and how to assess your farm’s ability to support future plans and goals.
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Vertical Farming 101: Webinar Series |
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From building a comprehensive business plan to finding the right community partners, this webinar series walks you through the ins and outs of vertical farming in our four-part event series.
Webinar dates: February 3, 10, 17 and 24.
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So You Think You Want To Farm? Two-Part Webinar Series |
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Are you an aspiring farmer interested in starting a farm business? Sign up for this FREE two-part webinar series taking place on March 4 and 11 to learn about what it takes to farm, the realities of modern farming, how to navigate finance, business planning and more. Participants will also hear real-world case examples from across Durham Region, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and York Region.
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For more frequent updates on Durham Region success stories, resources, local news, fun facts and more, follow @DurhamAgRural on Twitter. #DurhamAg #NorthDurham
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Contact Us
Toll-free: 1-800-706-9857
As a contact of the Region of Durham's Planning and Economic Development Department, you have been added to our mailing list. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please use the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of this e-newsletter.
If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact the Planning and Economic Development Department at 905-668-7711 ext. 2609 (toll-free at 1-800-706-9857).
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