Brockton Business Newsletter - March 4, 2023 |
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Business Improvement Grants Available |
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Brockton's expanded Community Improvement Plan includes provisions to help businesses in our commercial, downtown areas -- and in some cases, throughout Brockton -- get assistance with accessibility features, energy conservation, signage, facade work, farm gates, and creative solutions for vacant or underused space in a commercial, heritage or agricultural building. The following six grant programs are available from Brockton:
- Facade Improvements - Up to $3,000
- Signage - Up to $1,500
- Accessibility Improvements - Up to $2,000
- Green Energy - Up to $3,000
- Vacant or Underutilized Building Conversion or Expansion - Up to $7,500
- Farm Gates - Up to $1,500
Business loans are available from the Saugeen Economic Development Corp. to help with your project.
Email Brockton's Community Development Coordinator for more information, or a free consultation to see if your project may be eligible. Grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Tickets are still available for our International Women's Day event, Inspiring Women, Embracing Equity, hosted by Saugeen Connects and WOWSA (Women of Wellington, Saugeen Area) on March 8th in Neustadt.
Speakers include Mary Jane Bushell, President and CEO of Larsen & Shaw in Walkerton.
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Get Free 360 Birds-Eye Photos of Your Business! |
Free 360 photos of your business are available until March 22 through our digital squad service specialist Will LeGrand, pictured here with a 360 camera.
If you're not familiar with the technology, which allows customers to see a birds-eye view of your business and products, check out the cool photos taken for Willow Home and the new Walkerton Toy Shoppe!
Up to $2,500 in funding for digital projects is also available through the Digital Main Street Transformation Grant, which LeGrand can assist with.
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Training & Workforce Assistance for Business Owners |
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Looking to tweak your business model, hiring practices or marketing -- or simply gain an edge to help your business succeed?
Several online learning opportunities are being offered for both new and seasoned business owners throughout the region -- all free of charge. They include:
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Advancing Women Economically (AWE): A 10-part online series, from March 8th to May 15th, for women looking to start or expand businesses within the Saugeen area. This AWEsome program offers lunch-time learning and kicks off with free tickets to WOWSA's International Women's Day event on March 8th. Email [email protected] or call 519-799-5750 ext. 301 to apply. The deadline is March 8th.
The Saugeen Economic Development Corporation and Saugeen Connects are also piloting a project to help employers expand their employee base by removing barriers to employment for qualified job seekers in our area. Please email Brockton's Community Development Coordinator for more information.
Several job fairs have been held throughout the region in late February and early March, with strong attendance at each, showing a growing interest among job seekers as the pandemic wanes. The Municipality of Brockton is planning to hold its own job fair this fall. Stay tuned, and let us know if you're interested in attending!
DID YOU KNOW?
Funding is available to local businesses for employee training in 2023, through a program sponsored by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Please contact the municipality at 519-881-2223 for more information.
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Are you a new or expanding businesses looking for an investor? Apply to the Hawk's Nest competition today!
The submission deadline is Friday, March 10th. Submit your completed application along with your business plan to [email protected] for a chance to pitch your business idea and receive funding. Up to $30,000 is up for grabs!
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Want to influence the future of Bruce County? You're invited to attend a public engagement session for the county's new strategic plan on Wednesday, March 8th.
A virtual session will be held from 12-1 p.m., and an in-person session will take place from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.
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Market Garden to Break Ground in April |
Spring is coming and the Market Garden Project in Walkerton is getting ready to break ground, thanks to support from service clubs such as the Walkerton Kinettes, individuals, and local businesses, including as Larsen & Shaw, Hammond Power Solutions, Wightman, Amazing Assets, Bruce Power, and others. Construction is set to begin in April, with the park slated to open in July.
Interested in contributing? Please email us or call 519-881-2223. All major contributions will be recognized on a donor appreciation plaque, and charitable tax receipts are available.
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Durham Street Bridge Study |
Brockton staff are working with the county and its consultant to arrange a special meeting in April for Walkerton businesses to learn more about the Durham Street Bridge project and contingency plans. Your feedback is important! Click on the link below to review reports and submit comments.
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Need business assistance or further information about programs highlighted in this newsletter? Please contact Community Economic Development Coordinator Paulette Peirol at [email protected] or call 519-881-2223 ext 131.
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