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

Statutory Public Meeting - Official Plan Review

TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Petawawa invites all interested persons to attend a Statutory Public Meeting in order to consider revisions and provide input on the Town’s Final Draft Official Plan (March 1, 2024), pursuant to the requirements of Section 17 of the Planning Act, RSO 1990, as amended. 

March 25, 2024 at 6:30 PM Town of Petawawa Council Chambers 1111 Victoria Street

An Official Plan provides direction and policy objectives for the growth and development of the community and where land uses (i.e. Residential, commercial, industrial, parks) should be located. The Official Plan covers a broad range of topics including transportation, economic development, housing and future development opportunities. The Official Plan works along with other municipal planning documents, such as the Zoning By-law, to guide the patterns of development in the Town. 

At the Statutory Public Meeting, the Draft Official Plan will be available for review. Staff from the Town will be available to answer questions and obtain comments. 

Please review the Draft Final Official Plan dated March 1st available on our municipal website: Notice of Statutory Public Meeting - Official Plan Update - The Town of Petawawa

Ottawa Valley Tourist Association - Tourism Awards

Nominate an outstanding OVTA member or member businesses/organizations with the Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards. Nominations must be submitted by March 25th. There are six award categories.

• Event of the Year
• Tourism Champion
• Business of the Year
• New Tourism Product
• Tourism Marketing
• Sustainability Champion

Recipients are recognized and awarded during the OVTA Tourism Conference & AGM on April 16th which will be held at the Ma-te-way Activity Centre.

Find the nomination process for each category on the OVTA website: Industry | Ottawa Valley Tourist Association

Renfrew County - Affordable Housing Summit

The County of Renfrew is hosting an Affordable Housing Summit. This all day event is on April 4th at the Ma-te-way Activity Centre. They will explore ideas and topics such as utilizing municipal vacant land, innovating with existing properties, and fostering partnerships to address housing needs. Together, they want to collaborate and work towards sustainable solutions for affordable housing in our region. To participate or reserve a display area to share your organization's information or for any general inquiries, please contact Jennifer Dombroskie at jdombroskie@countyofrenfrew.on.ca or 613-312-2735.

Federal and Provincial Grants and Resources

 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)

MY MAIN Street 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 brick-and-mortar businesses located on main streets across southern Ontario. Applications are open until March 31, 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)

Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program

Expand and diversify your tourism workforce by offering the Ontario Living Wage and get a wage top-up for up to six months. For more information, visit: Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program (tiaontario.ca)

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

• 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

• March 12: Legal Boot Camp with OWNR hosted by Enterprise Renfrew County. Legal Boot Camp Webinar with OWNR (typeform.com)
• March 14: Business Growth Accelerator Webinar hosted by Enterprise Renfrew County. Business Growth Accelerator Webinar with Traicon (typeform.com)
• March 25: Chamber Connect Open House hosted by the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Connect Open House (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 Petawawa Businesses

Grand Opening Thai Valley!

March 1st, 2024 was the official celebration and the Grand Opening of Thai Valley! It was also Ratree's Upakhrut's birthday! A perfect day to celebrate!

Opening a restaurant had been a lifetime dream for this family, led by matriarch Ratree Upakhrut and her daughters Gunchisa and Rattiya. This dream has been realized thanks to these fearless ladies and with support from Rattiya's husband Nick Kingan.

Thai Valley opened in late 2023 but was still waiting for specialized equipment and their beverage licence before opening up the dining room service. Now guests have the choice to dine in or take these scrumptious meals to go. Catering service is also available. Thai Valley offers daily lunch specials and a diverse dinner menu. The food is authentic and delicious!

Special thank you to Cheryl Gallant, John Yakabuski, Mayor Serviss, Deputy Mayor Sabourin, Councillor Donovan, Councillor Coutu, Councillor Carmody and the members of our Petawawa Business Advisory Network who joined in the celebration.