Brockton Business & Development
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Welcome to our inaugural Brockton Business Newsletter, featuring bi-monthly updates from the Municipality of Brockton and our partners in community and economic development.
Please share with friends, family and colleagues; it’s free to join and you may unsubscribe at any time.
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Larsen and Shaw Marks 100th Anniversary!
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Brockton's oldest business is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year! Congratulations to Larsen & Shaw Ltd. for surviving the Great Depression, a world war, upturns and downturns, protectionism, free trade and global competition, while staying ahead of the curve in the precision metal stamping industry. The company’s history is a tribute to stable ownership, sound management, inspiring leadership on all levels and our small town work ethic. Thanks to Larsen & Shaw and its 107 employees for their commitment to our community!
Brockton's Council and Economic Development Committee presented a commemorative plaque and maple tree to the company this week.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Jacquot Photography
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Labour Force Diversification
It’s a tight labour market and employers throughout the region are getting creative in their approach to filling jobs, some looking to immigration programs to diversify their workforce and attract newcomers. As a welcoming community, the Municipality of Brockton is looking to provide newcomer services and is forming an ad hoc group through its Economic Development Committee to study housing and transportation needs. Contact
[email protected]
if you are interested in contributing.
Thinking of selling your business?
Do you have a succession plan to ensure your company continues to thrive after you retire?
Succession Matching
is a free, confidential service that works much like a dating site, matching your businesses with potential buyers from across the country. Contact the Municipality of Brockton for a voucher that will allow you to sign up free of charge.
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Façade Grants Available
for Downtown Storefronts
Do you own or run a business in downtown Walkerton that could use a new storefront sign, windows, lighting or repairs? You could be eligible for a grant of up to $1,500 from the Municipality of Brockton! We are currently accepting applications from downtown businesses, offering 50 per cent funding on up to $3,000 to help improve the exterior of your storefront.
RustWorthy, Kisses, Bombshell Spa and Lee & Lynn are just a few of the Walkerton businesses that have taken advantage of this program.
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A new 216-unit subdivision on County Road 2 at the edge of Walkerton is set to go ahead. Walker West Estates, by developer Bill Clancy, will be a mix of 94 family homes, 38 duplexes, 24 single-storey homes, and 60 units in an apartment style three-storey building.
The new development is in addition to two others already underway in Walkerton, the 78-unit Riverview Homes development by Turner Homes and the 66-unit JDR development on the former site of the Brant school. Find details at
Brockton.ca/businessopportunitiesmap
.
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Check Out Our New Visitor Guide!
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Our 2019 Brockton
Visitor Guide
is now available online, and highlights events and places to explore in the region. You can also pick up hard copies at the Brockton Municipal Office or one of our two visitor centres in Walkerton and Cargill. The Walkerton location, in the downtown BIA office, is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 p.m. The Cargill visitor centre is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both have a wealth of resources for your out-of-town clients and new employees.
Advertising opportunities are available through Tourist Town.
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2019 Community Improvement Projects
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Brockton’s Community Improvement Committee has been awarded seven grants from Bruce County’s Spruce the Bruce program for 2019. We are very excited to be working on the following initiatives this summer and fall:
- A new, interactive canoe sculpture near the pavilion at the Saugeen River bridge in downtown Walkerton, and new furniture for the pavilion.
- Upgrades to the Lobies Park boat launch to give paddlers and anglers better and safer access to the river.
- A new sculptural element for the Optimist Park, reflecting the water droplet in the Walkerton logo.
- New signage for the Walkerton Community Centre
- Storefront marketing project to highlight commercial spaces available in downtown Walkerton and the opportunities they present for entrepreneurs and investors.
- Sidewalk branding and accessibility project to improve downtown crosswalks.
- Rebranding of the coming events signs in downtown Walkerton.
The total value of the grants is close to $27,000.
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Brockton Students to Launch Businesses
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Seven Brockton students have been awarded grants to launch their own businesses this summer under the Saugeen Student Start-up Program (SSUP).
The initiative was launched this year by the Saugeen Connects economic development group, which includes Brockton, Minto, Hanover, West Grey and North Wellington, operating under the Saugeen Economic Development Commission. The students will receive up to $300 in start-up funds and training in business marketing, customer relations, accounting and conflict resolution. A big thank you to our local SSUP sponsors: the Walkerton Rotary Club, the Walkerton Optimist Club and McIntee Real Estate – Walkerton.
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Mayor's Breakfast Welcomes Businesses and Students
Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody hosted a Mayor’s Breakfast on June 10, 2019 attended by about 60 members of the business community and a politics class from Sacred Heart Catholic High School.
Join us for the next Mayor’s Breakfast on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.
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