Having trouble viewing this email? View as Webpage.
Economic Development eNews | June 14, 2022
Business Profile
Top feature photo: Owner Sean Lucey, left, and Chef Stephen Murphy on the Dockside patio overlooking the Prescott-Ogdensburg International Bridge with Windmill Brewery 1838 Pilsner beer. Below: Bridgeview inside.
Chef Justin Cunningham with a ham and cheese panini with chips at the Tap Room. Below: The Windmill's pavilion and one of their upcoming events this summer: Brews Blues & Bar-B-Q
Bridgeview Dockside - and Windmill Brewery - offering great food and atmosphere
JOHNSTOWN - It's prime time for two local food and drink destinations - the Bridgeview Dockside Restaurant & Patio and the Windmill Brewery.

This is their first full spring and summer of expanded food service for the renovated Bridgeview Dockside with its new retro dining room and riverside patio. Just down the road at the Windmill Brewery, there is a new Tap Room offering a quick-service lunch menu with panini sandwiches and salads. And let's not forget the special live music evening events in the pavilion on the Brewery site.

"We're ready and excited to be offering new food, new seating options and events at both of our locations for our many loyal and new customers," says owner Sean Lucey.

"We're already noticing a huge increase in numbers so that is great to see," says Sean, who purchased the historic Bridgeview in June 2020 a few months after the pandemic hit. Major renovations were completed during the lockdown so full service didn't start at the eatery until this past March. Now is the time for the restaurant to shine.

"We've got some really cool things in the works," says Sean. The Bridgeview Dockside family-style restaurant is a fan favourite. Sean and Chef Stephen Murphy say their focus is on presenting quality, made-to-order meals.

"We're all about fresh, real food," says Sean, adding their menu contains bountiful breakfasts, desserts made in-house, beloved mains such as the stuffed portobello mushrooms, freshly battered cod, pizza and so much more. Barbecue specialties using Triple AAA meat is a highlight. Their brisket is smoked 14 hours, pulled pork for 10 hours and their ribs feature a secret midwestern rub.

"I take great pride in what I do," says Stephen, who has been in the food industry for more than 40 years. "I believe in the product we offer. I have a passion for it."

Windmill Brewery opened in 2016. Many special events are held at the site, located near the Battle of the Windmill. Sean decided to create a new Tap Room with food options to complement events such as Live Music Friday Nights. It offers a fun atmosphere where you can play board games.

Seating inside the Windmill's pavilion is 100, with room for 20 customers in the Tap Room. Seating at the Bridgeview is 120 inside and 60 on the riverside patio. They also offer food catering, including weddings, for up to 300 people.

Learn more by visiting the Bridgeview Dockside website and the Windmill Brewery's Facebook page. The Bridgeview Dockside is located at 2801 County Road 2, Johnstown. You can call them at 613-925-5663 or send them an email. Windmill Brewery is located at 5 Newport Drive, Johnstown.
News
Free Digital Services Are Back!

Businesses across Leeds and Grenville can once again access free digital support and grant application assistance thanks to funding through the Digital Main Street program.

Cyndy Bolton has rejoined the Leeds Grenville Economic Development team to assist businesses with free one-on-one digital consulting services as well as navigating current funding application processes.
 
Digital Main Street is an innovative program funded by the federal and provincial governments designed to help small businesses improve their existing online presence or create one. The program is built around an online training platform, free consultation services of a Digital Service specialist and a Digital Transformation grant of up to $2,500.

Few digital marketing resources can be one size fits all. For recommendations that are tailored to you and your business, our Digital Specialist will be happy to chat with you and complete a digital assessment. This will help you determine where to concentrate your efforts on improving your online presence to generate increased business.
 
 We provide assistance and support with the following:
  • Google Business Profile
  • Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & Canva
  • Content Development
  • Digital Assessments
  • Finding free online marketing tools
  • Applying for 'digital' grants
For more information on the Leeds Grenville program and to connect with our Digital Service Specialist, contact Leeds Grenville Business Development Officer Shelbi McFarlane via email or call 613-342-3840, ext. 5361.
From left: Carol Hardy, Small Business Program Assistant at the Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre, Summer Company entrepreneurs Evan Munro, Arianna Bennett, Emily Jollota, Jenevra Pier, and Jack Sloan, along with Small Business Development Officer Jeanette Johnston.
Summer Co. Entrepreneurs Ready to Roll Up Their Sleeves
Five young entrepreneurs are launching businesses through the Summer Company Program this year. The Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre introduced the program's participants last week at an event held at the Employment & Education Centre. This is the 22nd year of delivering the program.
 
This summer's participants are:
Evan Munro, I Believe Training, Brockville; will provide one-on-one basketball training sessions and group basketball skills training this summer at outdoor facilities and at clients’ homes in the Brockville area. He can cater his training to any skill level. Evan is looking forward to sharing his skills and knowledge with young people aged 6 to 18 this summer. Contact him via email, or call 613-340-9749 and check out his Instagram page.

Arianna Bennett, Islands Sweet Treats, Gananoque and area, is serving up lots of colour this summer. She will be making fresh cotton candy and flavoured shaved ice. These old-time treats will make for easy grab-and-go snacks at the markets in and around Gananoque. Contact her via email, or call 416-737-8747 and check out her Instagram page.

Emily Jollota, Jollota Designs, Brockville, is using her artistic talent to create resin art. She creates everything from jewelry to bookmarks to charcuterie boards. Emily’s art will make gifting easy this summer. Watch for Emily at the Brockville Farmers' Market on Thursdays and Saturdays. Contact her via email, or call 613-802-7861 and check out her Facebook and Instagram pages.
Janevra Pier, Bakery by the Pier, Gananoque, is baking up a storm this summer with her fresh vegan sourdough bagels using locally-sourced flour. She will also be creating vegan spreads to accompany the bagels. Janevra will be selling her bagels at the markets and other events around Gananoque this summer. Contact her via email, or call 613-561-9365 and check out her Facebook and Instagram pages.

Jack Sloan, Good Neighbour Lawn Care, Lyn; will be providing lawn care, edging, pressure washing, window cleaning and other property enhancement services in and around Brockville this summer. Jack wants to provide that feeling of good will and being neighbourly as he helps people with their outdoor work. Contact him via email, or call 613-803-5516 and check out his Facebook and Instagram pages.
The Summer Company provides hands-on business training and mentoring and is funded by the Government of Ontario. The participants receive:
  • An award of up to $1,500 in early summer to help with business start-up costs, and an additional $1,500 award in the fall upon the successful completion of their Summer Company business and proof of returning to school.
  • Education on all things small business and the opportunity to work with local mentors who will provide support and advice on operating their summer business.

For more information, contact the Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre at 613-342-0040, ext. 4470 or send an email.
Garden Day is this Saturday!
This Saturday, June 18th, is National Garden Day. In celebration of the event, the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail gardens will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all to enjoy.

There is no admission fee to visit the gardens, though some owners welcome donations to their favourite charities. Both guided and self-guided tours are available throughout the season. Hours and contacts vary, so visit each garden's page for full details as some are by appointment only.

To learn more about the trail, joining the trail, or to view a map, please visit the Garden Trail website at gardentrail.1000islandsandrideaucanal.com
Economic Development Leadership Award
Nominate a Leader in Your Community!
The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office is asking individuals, councils and economic development committees to identify candidates for the annual Bill Thake Memorial Award for Economic Development Leadership.
 
Before heading off for summer vacation, talk to your colleagues and community members about who is deserving of this award in your municipality. Many volunteers help to improve the economic vitality of Leeds Grenville. Our goal is to honour them for their ongoing efforts.

If you have someone in mind within the 10-member municipalities of Leeds Grenville, consider putting their name forward. You can connect with us at econdev@uclg.on.ca or call Deanna Clark at 613-342-3840, ext. 5360.

For more information and nomination forms in both Word and PDF visit our Summit 2022 webpage

The Economic Development Leadership Award will be presented at the annual Economic Development Summit on November 18, 2022.

The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 30, at 4 p.m.

The winners of the 2021 Bill Thake Award were Cathy Sheppard (top photo at left), of the Municipality of North Grenville, and Ken Watson (bottom photo at left), of Rideau Lakes Township.
Funding Opportunities
Grow Your Business Online: $2,400 Grant Available to Small Businesses

The development and implementation of e-commerce is critical for businesses to remain competitive today. Eligible small businesses can receive a grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting a wide array of digital technologies. Make sure your business is digitally visible and making the most of selling online.

Grant money can be used to undertake the following:
  • Creation or improvement of digital e-commerce platform (online reservation / booking tools, online ordering systems, electronic payments)
  • Costs related to website search optimization
  • Social media advertising
  • Development of new e-commerce website
  • And more - Grow Your Business Online webpage

Businesses can register to apply for the grant through the Digital Main Street website.
Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library
Free Apps & Tools For Your Business

This workshop is designed to showcase a variety of different apps and tools that are most beneficial to start-up businesses. Speaker Adam Gibeau, of Digital Dorsal, Marketing and Design, will cover a variety of different app stacks that you as a business owner will want to have in your tool belt. Key takeaways are:
  • First-hand user experience with free apps and programs that you may not be using yet:
  • Insights on how you can offer better experiences with your clients
  • Examples of how these free tools stack up against their paid counterparts.
This session is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls / Lanark County / North Leeds Grenville).

WHEN: Tuesday, June 21, 9-10:30 a.m.
COST: Free
Putting Fun Back in the Buying Process for your Customers / Clients

The last few years throughout the pandemic taught us that no business is without change. Join speaker Adam Gibeau of Digital Dorsal, Marketing and Design as he highlights some of the big marketing trends going into 2022, and how expanding your offerings and going the extra mile will help put the fun back in the buying process. The key takeaways will be:
  • Tips and tricks for unique ways you can create a fun experience for your customers
  • What's fun all about anyways?
  • Why having fun with your customers will lead to a better buying process
This session is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre (Smiths Falls / Lanark County / North Leeds Grenville).

WHEN: Tuesday, June 28, 9-10:30 a.m.
COST: Free
Leeds Grenville eNews Deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please email it to us in advance.
  • Submissions for the June 28th edition should be received by Monday, June 20th.
  • Submissions for the July 12th edition should be received by Monday, July 4th.
32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
613-342-3840 | 1-800-770-2170 | econdev@uclg.on.ca