This electronic communication is a resource providing businesses and interested parties with relevant information about funding sources, events, resources, and other local municipal information.

Water and Dirt Festival

Will you get wet or dirty?

The Water and Dirt Festival has activities for all to enjoy! Come out and challenge our waterways, bike or run our trails, volley a ball or two, swim a river, SUP for a cause or balance with nature during a yoga festival! The Water and Dirt Festival starts August 11th and has activities for everyone over three weeks. Come on down and join in the celebration of all things Water and Dirt!

All the details and event registrations can be found at Water and Dirt Festival | Petawawa Ontario

Mayor's Breakfast and Petawawa Ramble Launch

You are invited to join us for breakfast! As part of the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce (UOVCC) Mayor's Breakfast series. Mayor Gary Serviss will bring greetings and speak about ongoing and upcoming town initiatives. Following this, there will be a presentation on the activities and opportunities for the 5th annual Petawawa Ramble.

The breakfast will be held on Thursday, August 31st at 9 am in the garden centre at Hyska's YIG at 3025 Petawawa Blvd. Tickets must be purchased in advance and a continental breakfast will be served. Tickets are $15 +HST. A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to UOVCC initiatives.

Tickets can be purchased: Petawawa Ramble Launch & Mayor's Breakfast (upperottawavalleychamber.com)

Business General

Federal and Provincial Grants and Resources

Fed Dev New Funding Programs for Southern Ontario

There are three new funding programs that were recently announced available to scale business growth, innovation, and competitiveness. These programs provide both non-repayable and no-interest loans. All potential applicants should consult regional advisory personnel to discuss the project and potential eligibility.

• Business Scale-up and Productivity (canada.ca)
• Community Economic Development and Diversification (canada.ca)
• Regional Innovation Ecosystem (canada.ca)

Enabling Youth Leaders Fund

For youth aged 15 – 30 who are looking to make Canada more accessible.  As a designated youth leader you can apply for projects up to $10,000. Engaging youth leaders to encourage organizations to apply for funding under the Youth Innovation Component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund - Canada.ca

Tourism Destination Development Fund

The Tourism Development Fund Program is a cost-sharing program designed to provide non-capital funding to projects that:

• encourages the development of innovative new tourism products
• supports tourism investment
• builds the capacity of Ontario’s tourism industry to foster new tourism investments

The Tourism Development Fund Program aims to support projects that will increase tourist visitation and visitor spending in Ontario by:

• developing innovative tourism products and experiences
• increasing domestic and/or foreign private-sector tourism investment
• strengthening the skills, resources and abilities of the tourism industry to attract or support new tourism investments.

Application Deadline: Thursday, September 14, 2023 Tourism Development Fund 2023 - Forms - Central Forms Repository (CFR) (gov.on.ca)

New Horizons For Seniors Program

Community-based projects under the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) that enable seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others and help communities increase their capacity to address local issues are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year, per organization. Projects must address one or more of the program’s five objectives:

• promoting volunteerism among seniors and other generations;
• engaging seniors in the community through the mentoring of others;
• expanding awareness of elder abuse, including financial abuse;
• supporting the social participation and inclusion of seniors; and
• provide capital assistance for new and existing community projects and/or programs for seniors.

Application Deadline: Thursday, September 14, 2023 New Horizons for Seniors – Community-based projects - funding program - Canada.ca

Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation

RCCFDC has launched a new microloan that will provide for businesses to access up to $10,000 in eligible CIP expenses under contract with a local municipality. This microloan is offered at a great low rate and easy application process. Financing / Funding - RCCFDC — Renfrew Country Community Futures Development Corp website.  

Enterprise Renfrew County

ERC will be offering the fall edition of Starter Company PLUS. In this program, participants will write their business plan, complete two years of cash-flow projections, take part in training, and have an opportunity to compete for a grant of up to $4,000 to start, grow or purchase their business. Want to learn more? Starter Company PLUS Program - Enterprise Renfrew County

County of Renfrew Transportation Master Plan

The County of Renfrew has engaged McIntosh Perry to conduct the consultation and completion of a County-wide Transportation Master Plan.  As the main roads in Petawawa; Petawawa Blvd., Doran Rd., Murphy Rd., and Laurentian Drive are County roads, your input into this survey is integral to keep these roads as development priorities within the County's Master Transportation review.

Complete the survey and stay connected to the County’s Transportation Master Plan project. 

Keep Craft Beer Local

Ontario Craft Brewers Association has launched a campaign to bring awareness and to advocate for fair taxation for local craft brewers. Local craft breweries pay an unevenly higher portion of tax than the bigger brands do. They are asking for your help by completing a quick form that immediately sends a letter to your local MPP asking them to support the craft beer industry. This movement is gaining a lot of traction and many MPPs are already starting to voice their concerns but we need more.  Send a Letter — keep craft beer local

CNL and the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI)

Is hosting an Industry Day on September 7, 2023. The Industry Day includes a trade show, luncheon, networking, and a full schedule of presentations and updates on CNL’s future plans and opportunities for the supply chain.

CNL has made available a select number of booths at no charge for local businesses from Renfrew County, MRC Pontiac, and local indigenous communities.

DATE: SEPTEMBER, 7, 2023

TIME: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM

LOCATION: 286 PLANT RD, CHALK RIVER, ON

Want to attend and participate? OCNI/CNL Industry Day- Registration For Local Suppliers' (office.com)

The UOVCC Business Excellence Annual Gala

will take place on Saturday, September 23rd at the Normandy Officers' Mess on Garrison Petawawa.

Sponsorship opportunities and table tickets for this celebratory event are now available!

2023 UOVCC Business Excellence Awards Gala (upperottawavalleychamber.com)