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

Public Open House - Community Services Recreation Master Plan & Survey Link

The Town of Petawawa's Community Services Department is updating its 2011 Recreation Master Plan to identify the current and growing priorities as well as the needs for parks and recreation services over the next ten years.

The Town of Petawawa has hired Thinc Design to oversee public consultation, data collection surveys, research, and the creation of a new Recreation Master Plan, which will be an actionable strategy that can readily adapt to changes in the community and emerging trends. The guide will assist Town Council and the Community Services Department in making strategic investments to ensure a positive direction to aid the growth and development of a healthy community, that improves the quality of life for residents and fosters advancement in indoor and outdoor recreation.

The Master Plan will explore and review topic areas including but not limited to:

• Indoor and outdoor recreation facilities need.
• Further development of recreation programs for families, children, youth, adults, and seniors.
• Special events.
• Parks and trail improvements.
• Tourism development and growth.
• Arts & culture enhancement.
• Partnerships and future collaborations.
• Growing and approaching trends in recreation.

The Town of Petawawa would like to invite interested residents and stakeholders to an upcoming Community Consultation Open House on Thursday, February 8th, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Petawawa Civic Centre in the Banquet Hall located on the second level. 

They are conducting a survey of Petawawa residents on behalf of the Town. The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete on behalf of your household. The findings will only be reported collectively, and your responses will remain confidential

Ottawa Valley Business Summit

The Ottawa Valley Business Summit, hosted by the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce, is a conference for learning, networking, and inspiration in an entertaining and informative professional symposium to build broader, more reliable, and effective relationships among businesses with common goals to strengthen our local economy.

When: Thursday, February 22nd

Time: 1 pm - 5 pm + dinner optional Where: Best Western Pembroke Inn and Conference Centre

Tickets: $40 for the Conference + $60 if you wish to add a VIP roast beef dinner.

Open to the public the summit includes guest speakers, a small expo display floor, and break-out presentation rooms dedicated to matters that the chamber's network identified as top priorities for business in 2024. Topics will include attracting and retaining talent, marketing, and advertising through modern and traditional channels, and grants and funding opportunities to grow your business.

Speakers and Workshops and Fireside Chats: Anita Vandenbeld 

Member of Parliament Ottawa West-Nepean and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development; Sueling Ching, CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade; Daniel Safayeni, Vice President Policy Ontario Chamber of Commerce; Claudia Dessanti, Senior Manager Policy at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce;

Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and local dignitaries including John Yakabuski and Warden Peter Emon.

Federal and Provincial Grants and Resources

Ontario's Rural Economic Development (RED) Program:

RED provides cost-share funding to support activities that create strong rural communities in Ontario and opens doors to rural economic development, by funding projects that: address barriers to economic development, better position rural communities to attract or retain investment, address labour force development challenges, build rural community, capacity to attract, retain and expand businesses, renew community assets to drive economic development, support economic growth through regional partnerships. The deadline to apply is February 21^st. For more information on the grant Rural Economic Development (RED) Program Guidelines | ontario.ca

New Tourism Growth Program

 This FedDev program provides funding for small and medium-sized businesses, and not-for-profit organizations to grow and develop local tourism products and experiences that will position Canada as a destination of choice for domestic and international visitors. Applications for first intake are due February 29, 2024. Learn more: Tourism Growth Program in southern Ontario (canada.ca)

Women’s Economic Security Program

The program aims to provide training that is based on community-identified needs and address labour market gaps in sectors where women have historically been underrepresented such as the skilled trades, Information Technology, and Entrepreneurship. The goal is to promote women’s economic security by increasing income and labour force participation for low-income women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals in Ontario through training delivery. Applications are due by January 26th. Review the program guide wesp_program_2023_24_guidelines_en_final2.pdf (mcusercontent.com)

 Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) Program

The GCWood program encourages the use of innovative wood-based building technologies in construction projects. The third intake deadline for applications is March 31, 2024. For all program details go to Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) Program (canada.ca)

Business Sustainability Program

My Main Street: This stream will provide non-repayable contributions of up to $20,000 in direct-to-business funding to support productivity enhancements for up to 325 brick-and-mortar businesses located on main streets across southern Ontario. Applications will open on February 15, 2024. More details are available Business Sustainability Program - My Main Street

Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)

Do you own a small or medium-sized Canadian business? Get a grant and access to expert advice to increase online sales, reduce costs, better manage inventory, and more. For more information, visit: Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) | Official site

Apprentice Funding

Help build your future workforce. The Canadian Apprenticeship Service is offering up to $20,000 in help right now. CAS (apprenticesearch.com)

Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC)

The Renfrew County Community Development Fund provides non-repayable funding to support community economic development projects up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $4,000. The grant supports projects that. address strategic economic development priorities; support the business community; have a significant, measurable impact; demonstrate collaboration with community economic development partners; support community capacity for economic development. Projects must be completed by March 31, 2024. For more information, visit Financing / Funding - RCCFDC — Renfrew Country Community Futures Development Corp

Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

Commercial land and business owners in Petawawa are eligible to receive CIP grants for planned upgrades and improvements to their properties. This is a matching fund program that has been replenished for 2024. Reach out to your EDO to learn about the application and approval process. More information can be found on the municipal website: Community Improvement Plan (CIP) - The Town of Petawawa

The RCCFDC has a CIP fund from which successful municipal applicants can apply. Their fund allocation is a loan and serves as a cash injection to pay for upfront project expenses. Learn more at Financing / Funding - RCCFDC — Renfrew Country Community Futures Development Corp

Enterprise Renfrew County

• Francophone Entrepreneur Award - February 19th nomination deadline
• Starter Company Plus - Spring Session April 2nd and 4th virtual information sessions
• Summer Company - open for applications until May 15th.

Stay connected with Enterprise Renfrew County Home | Enterprise Renfrew County

Workshops, Events and Engagements

• February 8: Tax Prep for Corporations with CRA - free, virtual workshop from 1-3 p.m. hosted by Enterprise Renfrew County. Tax Prep for Corporations with a CRA Liaison Officer (typeform.com)

• February 13: HST Tax Information - Free, virtual workshop from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. hosted by Enterprise Renfrew County. General Tax Information Small Businesses with Seguin Financial (typeform.com)

• February 22: UOVCC Business Summit – In-person session from 1 -5 p.m. hosted by the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce. 2024 Annual General Meeting & Conference (upperottawavalleychamber.com)

• February 26: The Future of Work – AI – in person or virtual at Algonquin College 11:00 am – noon hosted by Labour Market Group The Future of Work - Artificial Intelligence Tickets, Mon, 26 Feb 2024 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite

• February 23 – March 3: Cabin Fever hosted by the Town of Petawawa Cabin Fever 2024 - The Town of Petawawa

• March 8: International Women’s Day lunch hosted by the UOVCC 2024 International Women's Day Lunch (upperottawavalleychamber.com)

• April 20 & 21: Ottawa Valley Sports Show and Conference hosted by Evernew Recovery and Rehabilitation and Ottawa Valley Sports (OVS) The event is hosted at the Best Western Pembroke Inn and Conference Centre. Ottawa Valley Sports Show & Conference - Ottawa Valley Sports

• April 26-28: Petawawa Showcase hosted by Gallant Media Home - SHOWCASE in Petawawa

Celebrate Businesses in Petawawa!

Happy 5th anniversary to Amy and her team at Fleurish Floral Designs. Having grown up in a family-run floral business, Keith's Flowers and Plants, and now as an established entrepreneur herself, Amy has amassed a wealth of design experience. Her unique aesthetic highlights the natural beauty of each element in her floral masterpieces. Simple, elegant, and refined are the keystones of Amy's arrangements. The mix of modern display techniques using everyday household vessels allows her flower creations to truly shine. Amy collaborates with other small businesses and you can find so many treasurers when you stop by her store at 3191 Petawawa Blvd. Congratulations Amy! Fleurish Floral | Wedding and events floral design for the Ottawa Valley. (fleurishinthevalley.ca)