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 - Official Plan Update

TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Petawawa invites all interested persons to attend a Public Open House in order to consider revisions and provide input on the Town’s Draft Official Plan (OP), pursuant to the requirements of Section 17(16) of the Planning Act, RSO 1990, as amended.

The meeting will take place on January 31, 2024 in council chambers at 1111 Victoria Street Petawawa ON. Doors will open at 5:00 pm and staff will be present to discuss and engage with participants until 8:00 pm. The Draft Official Plan will be available for review and a brief presentation, by consultants WSP, outlining the highlights of the Draft OP, will be provided at 5:30 pm.

For more on this public meeting and to review the Draft Official Plan, you can do so on the municipal website: Notice of Public Open House - Official Plan Update - The Town of Petawawa

Housing Needs Assessment Report

The Town of Petawawa engaged SHS Consulting to conduct a Housing Needs Assessment. The purpose of the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) study was to gain a better understanding of housing needs and opportunities in Petawawa and to look at housing gaps as well as housing affordability with a look towards alternative forms of housing, specifically seniors housing. This information will be used to form policies within the Official Plan.

The HNA is based on a review of detailed data sets looking specifically at the demographic profile, the housing profile, and overall housing needs within the Town of Petawawa. The consultant utilized key indicators, emerging issues, housing market gaps, and contributing factors to highlight areas for which the Town may want to prioritize. This data was obtained from Statistics Canada, CMHC housing starts, rental market information, and data from the Town and County of Renfrew.

To find both a summary and the full report please visit the municipal website: Petawawa Housing Needs Assessment - Final Report - The Town of Petawawa

Federal and Provincial Grants and Resources

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)

The EV ChargeON Program

The EV ChargeON program provides funding for the installation of public electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Ontario communities. Eligible and encouraged applicants are businesses,

not-for-profit corporations, municipal governments, Indigenous communities, and broader public sector organizations. Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2024. Electric vehicle (EV) ChargeON Program | ontario.ca

 2024 Summer Employment Opportunities

(formerly Summer Experience Program)

Applications for summer jobs in the tourism sector are being accepted until January 17th. Get funding from the Ontario government | ontario.ca

Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC)

If you are an employer in Renfrew County who has hired or is planning on hiring, a Francophone /Bilingual employee before March 31, 2024? You may be eligible to receive a 50% wage subsidy for your new hire. For more info email Kelley Lemenchick at kelley.lemenchick@rccfdc.org

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

UOVCC Chamber of Commerce

It is time to renew or join your local Chamber of Commerce. A membership with your local chamber opens opportunities and savings for your business from expense reductions through affiliate incentives to advocacy at all levels of government that benefit the specific needs of businesses in a given area. They also host engagement and networking events and celebrate businesses at an annual event gala.

The Chamber of Commerce is an independent, board-managed, member-driven, member-funded organization that exists to support businesses.

Become a member today! Start leveraging the rewards of membership for your business! New Member Signup - Organization - Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce

Workshops, Events and Engagements

• January 19: Women's Entrepreneurship Day Evening Social (rescheduled from November 2023). – in-person 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. event hosted by OV Boss Babes Women's Entrepreneurship Day Evening Social – OV Boss Babes

• January 24: Unlocking Tourism Trends: Navigating the Path to Success – virtual event hosted by OHTO Unlocking Tourism Trends: Navigating the Path to Success with OHTO Tickets, Wed, 24 Jan 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

• January 27-28: Marketing Bootcamp with Amanda Talker - immersive, in-person event hosted by Renfrew County CFDC Marketing Bootcamp Tickets, Sat, 27 Jan 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

• January 31: Live Life Swift Webinar: Build your Action Plan – virtual workshop from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. hosted by Enterprise Renfrew County Live Life Swift - County of Renfrew

• January 31: Public Open House – Town of Petawawa Official Plan Update – in-person from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. municipal Council Chambers. Summary with WSP consultants at 5:30 p.m. Notice of Public Open House - Official Plan Update - The Town of Petawawa

• 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 AGM and Conference – In-person session from 1 -5 p.m. hosted by the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce. 2024 Annual General Meeting & Conference (upperottawavalleychamber.com)

Grow your Business Here - Welcome to our Community

So many new commercial businesses opened or expanded services in Petawawa in 2023. Welcome to all these wonderful entrepreneurs who bring employment and service to the residents and visitors of our community.

We also acknowledge that some businesses closed due to retirement or for other reasons. We appreciate their contribution to the community and wish them the best in their future endeavors.

There are business opportunities for those entrepreneurs looking to establish in Petawawa and we are happy to assist. We look forward to continued growth and economic prosperity for our community and region in 2024.