Business News | March 2024

WHAT'S NEW

CIP OFFERS INCENTIVES FOR LOCAL PROPERTY AND BUSINESS OWNERS

A new Community Improvement Plan (CIP) has been developed by the Town of Orangeville. Eight Financial Incentive Programs are now available to eligible property and business owners.

These programs are designed to help improve the use and appearance of lands and buildings in two designated Community Improvement Areas. The CIP is intended to encourage broader economic growth, sustainable development, and revitalization in our community.

The eight CIP incentives include:

Comprehensive Façade Improvement Grant
Landscape Improvement Grant
Major Building & Conversion Grant
Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG)
Planning Fees & Building Permit Grant
Accessibility Improvement Grant
Industrial & Commercial Development Charge (DC) Deferral
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Grant

Applications are now open. Full details and eligibility requirements can be found online.

Learn more

2024 WORKSHOP SERIES

ASK THE EXPERT - BOOKKEEPING

Hosted by Tracy Harding, owner of Balanced Bookkeeping and a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor, this roundtable Q & A session is your opportunity to ask questions about small business accounting to a local expert.

This workshop will be held in-person. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. There is no fee to attend.

Wednesday, April 17 | 9 - 10:30 a.m.

BUSINESS FEATURE

JDC CUSTOM HOMES

JDC Custom Homes turns homeowner’s dreams into reality. By offering a wide range of services and focusing on the important details, JDC takes great care in transforming clients' homes at every stage of the project. Business owners Margaret and Paul Janssen, along with Design Manager, Natasha Jonker, knew they needed a website to reflect JDC’s brand and image.

Through the assistance of the Orangeville & Area SBEC, JDC Custom Homes was successful in securing a $2,500 Digital Main Street Digital Transformation grant. Digital Main Street’s training program helped them formulate the plan for the new website and provided the funding to support the project.

To learn more about JDC Custom Homes, visit www.jdccustomhomes.ca or follow them on Facebook.

Learn more

FUNDING, PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES

Summer Company applications now open

Do you know an enterprising young person who would like to run their own business this summer? In partnership with the Province of Ontario, the Orangeville & Area SBEC is offering the Summer Company program. Eligible student entrepreneurs can receive:

Training, mentorship, and business skills development
Funding of up to $3,000 to help start a business and successfully complete the program

Students who are returning to school in the fall of 2024 and are between the ages of 15 and 29 are eligible to apply. Applications for the program will be accepted until Friday, May 17, 2024.

Learn more

2024 Call for Artists announced

Local artists residing in Dufferin County are invited to submit original designs for the Town of Orangeville’s 2024 Call for Artists. This year, up to two utility boxes will be added through the program. Successful artist submissions must:

be innovative in design,
foster community pride,
strive to counteract graffiti vandalism,
contribute to a sense of identity for residents and businesses.

Interested artists are encouraged to review all requirements in the Call for Artists before completing an online submission. The submission deadline is Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 12 p.m.

Learn more

My Main Street is back

Applications are now open for My Main Street, a $15-million Government of Canada investment, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario to continue to support main street businesses and communities across southern Ontario.

My Main Street is being delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute offering two streams that open for applications on February 22, 2024.

The Business Sustainability stream provides up to $20,000 directly to businesses for productivity enhancements.
The Community Activator stream funds up to $250,000 for high-impact community placemaking projects.

To make informed funding requests for your business or organization, please review the eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria for both streams prior to applying. Watch an information session for details and learn more at mymainstreet.ca. The application deadline for both streams is Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Learn more

BUSINESS UPDATES

IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY

The Town of Orangeville extends a warm welcome to these new businesses:

Congratulations to the Bluebird Café and Grill, who celebrated its 5^th anniversary in February.

TIP OF THE MONTH

SEEKING SKILLED EMPLOYEES TO JOIN YOUR WORKFORCE?

Georgian’s Career and Employment Community Services (CECS) bridges the gap between employers looking for workers and job seekers looking for long-term employment.

If you are seeking skilled employees, programs like Youth Employment Pathways and the Canada-Ontario Job Grant may be great options.

Learn more

PARTNER EVENTS

Local events and learning opportunities to inspire and connect you.

Cocktails and C onnec t

Wednesday, March 20 | 5 - 7 p.m.

Hosted by the Dufferin Women in Business

Dufferin Biz Hub Open House

Wednesday, March 27 | 3 - 6 p.m.

Hosted by the Dufferin Board of Trade

Shelburne Job Fair

Thursday, April 18 | 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Hosted by the Town of Shelburne

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edo@orangeville.ca | 519-941-0440 x 2286 | www.orangevillebusiness.ca

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