Your quarterly connection to business news in Orangeville
Resources and supplies to prepare for re-opening in Orangeville 
As Ontario continues to re-open its economy using its phased framework, more businesses are being permitted to resume operations and welcome customers back. While many business owners may greet the opportunity to re-open with anticipation and relief, careful preparation is also required. The safety of both employees and customers must be considered before a business can commit to re-opening its doors.
Follow the guidelines
There are many measures that workplaces can put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Facilitating proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing continue to be the most important strategies to keep workers and customers safe. Additional guidelines have been established by the province’s Ministry of Health to help businesses determine what procedures to implement. These guidelines, found at ontario.ca , are intended to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission in non-health care workplaces. Sector-specific procedures are also available to provide more detailed recommendations for industries such as construction, food processing, restaurants and food services, agriculture, manufacturing, and retail. Under an order issued by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health on June 10, local businesses must also ensure that any customer, patron, employee or visitor who enters their establishment wears a face covering while inside the establishment.

Develop procedures and find local PPE supplies
Using the guidelines, each business will need to determine how to appropriately prepare to re-open based on its own situation. Making adjustments to typical business operations may be helpful, especially when first re-opening. Reducing store hours, offering appointments, and limiting the number of customers in a business at one time are some ideas to consider . Some workplaces may need to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to operate safely. Signage, floor decals and barriers may be used to help direct customers. Cleaning and sanitation protocols will also need to be enhanced. Many of these measures require supplies that a business may not have readily available. There are many local companies offering PPE and other products. A directory can be found at orangevillebusiness.ca . If your business supplies PPE and you would like to be added to the listing, please contact edo@orangeville.ca .

Promote, promote, promote!
With measures in place to ensure the safety of both employees and customers, businesses can prepare to re-open. Communication is key. Customers need to know that your business is open. Just as important, they need to know how they can interact with you. Update websites and phone greetings with new operating hours and procedures. Use social media to demonstrate new procedures and show customers what to expect when they visit. Ensure that every employee is aware of all measures so communication is clear and consistent. Continually promote any changes so information is always current.
Join Orangeville’s Business Resiliency Map
Adding your business to local directories is another way to communicate that you are open. The Town of Orangeville has launched an online Resiliency Map to help promote businesses that are operating in the community. Each business listing includes contact details along with information about hours and any specific measures that may be in place. All businesses in Orangeville are invited to submit their location at orangevillebusiness.ca .

Get support and learn
Re-opening under these new guidelines and during this unprecedented time may feel challenging and overwhelming. The Town of Orangeville's Economic Development & Culture/SBEC office can help by providing access to a variety of relevant resources including online learning tools and webinars led by qualified experts.

Ask an Expert panel discussions are also available for viewing and provide local insights on topics related to COVID-19. Moderated by Councillor Joe Andrews, each of the three discussions features local experts as they share their ideas and knowledge. The most recent panel discussed Re-Opening Protocols and included Cathy Moran, Town of Orangeville Human Resources and Health and Safety Officer, Leon Matrosov, consultant/partner with Workplace Safety & Wellness Solutions as well as Christopher Beveridge, Director of Health Protection for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. All Ask an Expert discussions can be found at orangevillebusiness.ca .

The Town of Orangeville's Economic Development/SBEC office is available to answer inquiries and can put businesses in touch with the right contacts. Contact us for support.
Data Cable Co. Inc. to celebrate 40 years in Orangeville
On June 30, 1980, Data Cable first opened in Orangeville. The company started out as a manufacturer of custom cabling that was used to connect mainframe computers and minicomputers. Today, Data Cable is Canada’s leading custom cable assembly manufacturer. “We’ve come a long way in four decades,” says Paul Nelson, President of Data Cable. “We take great pride in what we do because the products we make impact lives all over the world.”
Data Cable assembles and manufactures a wide variety of custom connectivity solutions including cable assemblies, wire harnesses, electro-mechanical assemblies, box builds, sub-assemblies and more. The company’s customer base is just as diverse as its product offerings. Data Cable services the medical and military sectors as well as the industrial automation and satellite ground station technology industries. All products are made in Data Cable’s 35,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution facility located at 31 Robb Boulevard. “Orangeville is the perfect location for our business,” says Mr. Nelson. “Our proximity to North American markets is ideal and we are able to ship anywhere in the world.”
Data Cable is just as committed to its products as it is to its community. The company is a dedicated supporter of many local organizations and recognizes the importance of giving back to Orangeville and Dufferin County. But it’s the people who have contributed most to Data Cable’s success. “We are very proud of our history and our remarkable team,” says Mr. Nelson. “Our employees play a crucial role in our culture, values, success, and longevity. We are truly honoured to have reached this major milestone and are excited for our future.”

The Town of Orangeville congratulates Data Cable on its 40 th anniversary and wishes the company and its employees continued success in our community.

To learn more about Data Cable, visit datacable.ca .
Town of Orangeville commits to development of Tourism Strategy
The Town of Orangeville has begun the process of developing a five-year Tourism
Strategy & Action Plan which will incorporate COVID-19 recovery measures, as a way to determine important next steps for the community’s short- and long-term economic development.       

The creation of this Strategy & Action Plan follows the findings of the 2018 Orangeville Economic Development Strategy which identified tourism as a sector of focus for future growth within the region. More recently, in consideration of the global pandemic’s impact on Orangeville’s residents and businesses, the opportunities afforded by domestic tourism development are expected to play a key role in Ontario’s long-term economic recovery.

Project efforts are being led by Toronto-based consulting firm  Bannikin Travel & Tourism . The approach will be three-phased and implemented throughout the next eight months, overseen by a Steering Committee comprised of Town staff members. Orangeville’s tourism professionals – including business owners, accommodation and restaurant managers – will be consulted on their perspectives regarding opportunities and challenges to further develop the region’s tourism product and appeal. Input from related sectors, such as arts and culture, will also be an important part of this project.

The community will be invited to learn more about the strategy and share their insights via a virtual information session on July 7 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Those interested in attending can click here to register .

“We had already planned to launch this project in the pre-pandemic era, when Orangeville’s local economy was thriving and we were exploring opportunities to further develop the tourism sector with a sustainable, inclusive approach,” said Ruth Phillips, the Town’s Manager of Economic Development and Culture. “Now, though circumstances have changed due to COVID-19, domestic tourism is expected to grow throughout Ontario. We’re committed to ensuring Orangeville is well-prepared for the shift, and the opportunities it may bring.” 

Stakeholder and resident engagement efforts, in addition to surveys and analyses, will inform the Strategy & Action Plan which is expected to be complete by late fall 2020 and then presented to Town Council.

Bannikin Travel & Tourism is currently supporting similar projects, including those for Peterborough and the Kawarthas, Prince Edward County and the City of Brampton. The team has previously worked with Visit Oakville, the City of Orillia and Grey County.

More information on the project, as well as regular progress updates, can be found at orangevilletourism.ca .
D owntown Orangeville launches online shop for local businesses

There is a new way to shop local in Orangeville. To support downtown businesses, the Orangeville Business Improvement Area (BIA) has introduced the Downtown Orangeville Marketplace . The online platform allows customers to browse and purchase a variety of local products offered by downtown merchants.

A growing number of products are being offered by over 20 downtown businesses. You can shop by collection or by store. Fair Trade coffee, pet products, yoga wear, handmade pottery, and much more are all just a few clicks away. Convenient options like curbside pick up and doorstep delivery make it easy to safely get what you need. 
Orangeville Farmers' Market offers two ways to shop

The popular Orangeville Farmers' Market has changed how it operates to ensure the safety of shoppers, vendors and staff. With two different ways to purchase, the community can continue to shop for fresh, local food safely. Customers can choose to order online by Thursday at noon and then pick up their orders at the market the following Saturday. On-site shopping is also available, with a number of guidelines in place. Food vendors will be set up from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 90 Broadway, the parking lot across from Town Hall. Before shopping, customers are encouraged to review the guidelines to ensure they are prepared for this new market experience.
Support announced to help small businesses go digital

The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, announced an investment in the Digital Main Street program on June 11. This initiative aims to help small businesses reach more customers and improve their operations through digital enhancements.

Businesses will be able to take advantage of three new programs to support their digital transformation:

  • shopHERE powered by Google will hire highly skilled and trained students to build and support the launch of online stores for businesses that previously did not have the capacity to do so themselves.
  • Digital Main Street will help main street businesses be digitally more effective through training and grants. This program will help entrepreneurs adopt new technologies and embrace digital marketing.
  • Future-Proofing Main Street will provide specialized and in-depth digital transformation services and support that helps existing main-street firms adapt to changes in their sector and thrive in the new economy. By leveraging teams of digital marketing professionals and talented students, these firms will be able to create new online business models, develop and implement digital and e-commerce marketing strategies, and maximize digital tools, platforms and content.

More information about the programs can be found at digitalmainstreet.ca. Business owners are encouraged to sign up to receive more information as soon as the programs are launched
The Town extends a warm welcome to these new businesses:
120 C Line
A rare opportunity to purchase a modern upgraded manufacturing and warehousing facility in Orangeville’s General Industrial Zone (M1). The property is 153,896 sq. ft in total with 20,000 sq. ft of office space. Built on a large 16+ acre lot with easy access to Highway 10 and the GTA.
 
Asking price is $14,950,000.  
 
Please contact Scot Steele, Executive Vice President, CBRE Limited, Real Estate Brokerage at 416-798-6221.