Economic Development eNews | November 23, 2021 |
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Economic Development Summit |
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Housing, Workforce and Regional Strengths highlights at Summit |
The 13th annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit brought 250 viewers together from business leaders, municipal, provincial and federal government officials, as well as not-for-profit and support service representatives.
The day-long live webcast on Friday included a joint presentation by 3M Canada Brockville and Greenfield Global Johnstown on their multi-million dollar local investments in the past year to increase N95 respirators and medical grade alcohol production in the continued fight against COVID-19.
“We’re extremely proud of our part in this effort,” said Rich Muir, Plant Director at 3M Canada Brockville. The new N95 respirator facility was built ahead of schedule. It has produced more than a million respirators since production began seven months ago.
Greenfield Global Plant Manager Brendan Bland said the Johnstown site was the first plant in Canada to receive approval to produce technical grade alcohol. “We produced more than four million litres in the first month,” Mr. Bland said. The facility is currently undergoing a major expansion to be finished next year. Once completed, the Johnstown site will be able to produce 100-million litres per year.
“I can attest to the strength this region has exhibited,” Warden Roger Haley said when welcoming attendees to the Summit from throughout eastern Ontario and upper New York State.
The Counties Economic Development Office hosts the event in partnership with Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MP Michael Barrett, MPP Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the 1000 Islands, Valley Heartland and Grenville Community Futures Development Corporations, and the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board.
“We’ve had a strong turnout again this year with 250 views and we hope to be back to an in-person summit in 2022,” said Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager for the Counties.
The live webcast featured a keynote address “Ontario’s Housing – Bringing Affordability home” by Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association. Mr. Hudak was joined by local Rideau-St. Lawrence Real Estate Board President-Elect Dana Pearce to provide a local perspective.
While there were more home starts in 2020 in Ontario than there has been in the past two decades, Mr. Hudak said there is still a need to increase supply across the province. In Leeds Grenville, the lack of supply and rise in demand translates into a home that sold for $273,000 two years ago now selling for more than $500,000, Ms. Pearce said.
A panel of local education and training leaders discussed initiatives underway to address workforce challenges. Panelists included Superintendent of Schools Susan Rutters, of the Upper Canada District School Board Eastern Region Education Centre, Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College, and Shannon Liscumb, Director of CSE Consulting.
A new feature added to the event over the lunch hour was Chefs of Leeds Grenville - Local Flavours featuring Natalie Castellas of Catered Affairs in Kemptville and Karen Marx of Furnace Falls Farm Retreat near Lyndhurst. The afternoon portion of the agenda included interactive chat rooms.
If you missed this event, a recording will be posted soon to the event webpage.
Please mark your calendar for the 2022 Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit on Friday, November 18, 2022.
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Top feature photo: Rich Muir, 3M Canada Brockville's Plant Director, with MC Ann Weir, Leeds Grenville Economic Development Manager, via webcam. |
Above photo: Keynote speaker Tim Hudak (bottom of image) is joined by MPP Steve Clark and Ann Weir (top left) and Dana Pearce (top right). |
Above photo: Workforce panelists Susan Rutters (top right), Glenn Vollebregt (bottom left) and Shannon Liscumb (bottom right) with moderator Jim Hutton (top left). |
Warden Roger Haley in the studio. Below: Attendees at one of the chatrooms. |
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Bill Thake Memorial Award for Economic Development |
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Two Leaders recognized for efforts in Improving Their Communities |
Community-building champions Cathy Sheppard and Ken Watson are this year’s recipients of the Bill Thake Memorial Economic Development Leadership Award.
The winners were announced at the 13th annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit held virtually via live webcast. Cathy is a resident of the Municipality of North Grenville and Ken is from the Township of Rideau Lakes.
“Both individuals have shown outstanding commitment to improving and developing their communities,” said Warden Roger Haley. “We are proud to honour them, and all of our deserving nominees, for the major contributions they continue to make,” the Warden said.
This is the 11th year the Bill Thake Memorial Award, also called the Warden’s Award, has been presented to community volunteers showing economic leadership in Leeds Grenville.
Winner Cathy Sheppard founded Sheppard and Associates 37 years ago. Throughout those years she became active in a number of community initiatives and committees, including Kemptville District Hospital, the Youth Centre, Kemptville Women in Business and the North Grenville Chamber of Commerce, to name only a few.
Cathy sold her bookkeeping business and retired earlier this year but continues her far-reaching community leadership. One of her passions is mentoring new entrepreneurs. Most recently she has joined a team of volunteers to present the International Plowing Match in North Grenville in 2022.
“I’m very grateful. I have always been motivated to give back,” Cathy said after the awards were announced.
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Winner Ken Watson is well known for his decades of work in promoting the Old Stone Mill in Delta, the Rideau Canal and the Township of Rideau Lakes. Working quietly behind the scenes, Ken is responsible for attracting thousands of people to the region over the years through his Rideau Canal information website, his stunning promotional photography, his extensive knowledge of local history and his many publications on driving, cycling and paddling in the Rideau Lakes area.
“Volunteering is really satisfying. I like to showcase two of our most spectacular local heritage sites to the world," Ken said.
Also applauded for his leadership was nominee David Cybulski, from the Township of Augusta. David created the Maitland Garden of Hope with his wife Colleen and is co-founder of the award-winning 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail.
Brothers Silvan and Yulrick Fernetich, of the Township of Leeds and the Thousands Islands and co-owners of Lansdowne Freshmart, were jointly recognized for their continued support of youth employment, tourism, culture, recreation and heritage preservation in the township.
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Businesses outside Downtown Areas now Eligible for
Digital Transformation Grant
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If you operate a brick and mortar business and pay commercial property taxes you may be eligible for the Grant that can be used for:
- Developing or improving an existing website
- Digital Marketing and assessment
- Digital training
- Purchasing graphic design, social media and security software
- Digital accessibility compliance (AODA)
- A point of sale system
- Hardware (maximum $1,000)
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Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 30th
Jim Hutton, Business Development Officer
Leeds Grenville Economic Development
32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON, K6V 4R9
Ph: 613-342-3840 ext. 5361 | Toll free: 1-800-770-2170; ext. 5361. email
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New Application Now Open - Resilient Communities Fund
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is investing in projects of non-profit organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19 to support their medium to longer-term recovery efforts and help rebuild their capacity and resiliency. Funding is available for projects that align with at least one of the Resilient Communities Fund outcomes to help organizations address their diverse needs and support them to rebuild and recover.
An applying organization needs to be a community-based or provincial non-profit delivering services and programs in Ontario that is looking ahead to recovery planning with the aim of rebuilding their capacity.
Grant requests can range from $5,000 to $150,000.
The next deadline: Wednesday, December 8, 5 p.m.
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Career Catalyst: Project Grants for New Generation Artists
This is a temporary one-time program to further the development of Ontario artists from ages 18-30.
The program supports individual artists in the early stage of their professional practice. Eligible activities include professional development and training, marketing and promotion, purchase of artist materials and supplies, software and hardware upgrades, and artist’s studio or workspace enhancements
Application deadline is December 16, 2021 at 1 p.m.
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Industry Trade Show Opportunity |
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Leeds Grenville Economic Development is a member of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission and the Regional Marketing Committee. Through this membership, opportunities for private sector businesses to participate in industry trade shows in collaboration with Leeds Grenville and Ontario East are available.
Local Leeds Grenville Food & Beverage processing businesses are invited to express their interest to participate in the following trade shows at no charge.
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Restaurants Canada – Sunday, February 27 – Tuesday March 1, 2022 - Enercare Centre, Toronto, ON
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SIAL Canada – Wednesday, April 20 – Friday, April 21, 2022 - Palais des Congres, Montreal, PQ
Eligibility
- Must have a food or beverage product that is ready to market and sell to grocery, retailers or restaurants
- Must be prepared to accommodate increased production and sales
Participant Requirements / Guidelines
- Commit to a minimum of one full day (8 hours) at the Ontario East trade show booth
- Send a minimum of 2 individuals to work at your display
- Participation in the Ontario East Tradeshow booth includes a 4ft draped table and electricity
- Ontario East will provide signage for all participating companies. Additional signage will not be permitted.
- Participant travel, accommodations, meals, marketing materials, product samples are the responsibility of each company
Submission deadline is this Friday, November 26, 2021.
For more information or to register your interest, please contact Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager, via email. |
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
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Teeny Tiny Summit: Teeny Tiny Resurgence
This virtual event is the second in a three-part webinar series. The keynote speaker is Peter Kenyon, with the topic Bank of IDEAS. If you are involved in community economic development in a small community, this series will be of interest to you.
The program will also include success stories from small places throughout the province, and opportunities to share and learn from other community leaders. Much of the content is focused on what can be accomplished by volunteers working together with municipalities. In small places, volunteers are a critical part of economic development. Many of the presenters and participants are volunteers.
The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) has committed to multi-year support of the Teeny Tiny program. Participants will be able to join a Twitter chat after each webinar at #TeenyTinySummit.
The third webinar is on March 2, 2022 featuring keynote speaker Robin Jones, Chair of ROMA and Mayor of Westport. The topic is Renewed, Refreshed and the New Rural.
WHEN: Wednesday, December 1, 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
COST: Free
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How to Use Digital Marketing to Prepare for 2022
What’s your plan to get customers in the door and make sales? Presented by the Business Support Network, speaker Jennifer Baker will discuss simple digital marketing tactics to remain at the forefront of your customer’s mind during the first quarter of 2022.
By the end of the session, participants will:
- recognize the importance of creating a digital marketing calendar
- identify the importance developing consistent email marketing campaigns
- describe low-cost (or free) tactics to retain engagement on Instagram and Facebook
WHEN: Thursday, December 9, 6-7 p.m.
COST: Free
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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 December 7th edition should be received by Monday, November 29th.
- Submissions for the December 21st edition should be received by Monday, December 13th.
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Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
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Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
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Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
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Jim Hutton
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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