ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 6 | NOVEMBER 2018
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
EMPLOYING YOUNG TALENT INCENTIVE
Small businesses (less than 100 employees) can receive an initial $1,000 incentive upon hiring and an additional $1,000 retention incentive after six months for each youth (aged 15 to 29) hired through Employment Ontario's Youth Job Connection.
TRIPLE P PROGRAM
Innovative for-profit businesses can receive up to $10,000 at 85% of eligible costs to purchase equipment or technology related to an innovative commercial product, process or service.

Deadline: Ongoing intake until funds are allocated.
Digital Main Street Launches Grant Program 
Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA) announced the official launch of Digital Main Street’s exciting Grants Program across Ontario.
The Digital Main Street Grants Program provides funding to qualifying small “main street” businesses to enhance online promotion, selling and operations.

  • Digital Transformation Grant: There will be 2,000 grants of $2,500 each available to qualifying small “main street” businesses to help them adopt new digital technologies. Participating businesses will learn how to adopt new digital technologies such as e-commerce systems, social media marketing, and back-office systems like payroll and inventory. 

Applicants will access the grant process through the Grant Program Portal, on the Digital Main Street website at www.digitalmainstreet.ca/ontario .

For further information, please contact: cmoore@muskokalakes.ca
Women Entrepreneurship Fund
The objective of the Women Entrepreneurship Fund is to provide support to women to grow their businesses and facilitate their pursuit of opportunities in markets abroad. The Fund is a $20 million investment providing up to $100,000 in non-repayable contribution funding for 12 months.

The Women Entrepreneurship Fund will fund women-owned and women-led businesses to invest in activities that focus on:

  • Supporting pursuit of market opportunities abroad (e.g. international marketing strategy, supply chain integration, promotions, business advisory services, online presence/website development)
  • Supporting Scale-up, Expansion and Growth (e.g. product/service development and improvement, inventory management, value stream mapping, upgrades to plant and equipment, process and technology improvements)
  • Additional activities that support the objectives of the Women Entrepreneurship Fund

Please note that completed applications must be submitted by November 15 th , 2018


For further information, please contact: cmoore@muskokalakes.ca
Muskoka Cranberry Route | Muskoka Lakes
The Muskoka Cranberry Route brings together culinary, shopping, adventure, farms and other local experiences that celebrate our cranberry history.

It is not to late to sign up!
 
We are encouraging restaurants, bakeries, breweries, retail stores, galleries and accommodations to sign up and become a stop on the route.
 
  • Restaurants: serve a beautiful salad topped with local dried cranberries, or a cranberry crème brule for dessert. We will leave it to our talented chefs to get creative.
  • Bakeries: come up with the perfect combo of sweet and tart – cranberry loaf, cranberry pie, cranberry butter tart, the opportunities are endless.
  • Breweries: a number of breweries are already brewing cranberry inspired beer (or raddlers) using local cranberries. Get on the route and bring people to your brewery.
  • Retail stores: we want to showcase the best of the best cranberry inspired products, from jams to salad dressings and everything in between.
  • Galleries: we want to showcase the best Cranberry inspired designs and collections.
  • Accommodations: be one of our suggested overnight stays for visitors who are taking the Muskoka Cranberry Route.

Sign up to be on the route!

 
Please sign up and return form to: cmoore@muskokalakes.ca
Muskoka Lakes 2019 Grant Program

The Township of Muskoka Lakes “Grants to Organizations Program” for 2019 is now open for applicants. The program includes two funding streams, Community Grants and new Event and Festival Grants.

Read more
www.muskokalakes.ca
View the Lakes Muskoka Chair Tour | Muskoka Lakes
Muskoka Lakes is now home to a new self-guided tour. The View the Lakes Muskoka Chair Tour was an initiative of the Downtown Enhancement Program.

This one-of-a-kind chair tour highlights the very best (and most comfortable) views in Muskoka Lakes. There are 10 chairs scattered throughout the beautiful region, just waiting for you to find them and take a seat. Visitors are encouraged to locate the chairs, travel throughout the area and share photos on social media. While in the area and travelling, visitors would stop to shop, grab food or drinks and/or visit other attractions.

Share the tour on social media using the following link: https://www.discovermuskoka.ca/view-lakes-chair-tour/

8th Annual Muskoka Lakes Christmas Market | Port Carling

Do your holiday shopping early with gifts and delicious food items from local and nearby artisans. A Muskoka Lakes Chamber event. Want to know more? Call 705 762 5633 or email info@muskokalakeschamber.ca

Read more
www.muskokalakeschamber.ca
Muskoka Futures - Helping Business Thrive

Muskoka Futures is your go-to organization for investments and resources, supporting business and economic growth. Learn more about how Muskoka Futures can help you!

Read more
muskokafutures.ca
Share the Newsletter | Invite Others to Sign Up!
Do you know a business that may be interested in receiving the Economic Development Newsletter?

Please help us improve communications by inviting them to sign up for the distribution list.

Contact: Corey Moore | Communications & Economic Development Specialist
cmoore@muskokalakes.ca | 705-765-3156 ext. 215 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Muskoka Lakes Christmas Market
November 3, 2018
Business After Hours
November 9, 2018
Remembrance Day Ceremonies
November 11, 2018
Bala Santa Claus Parade
November 17, 2018
Port Carling Santa Claus Parade
November 17, 2018
Trek to Bethlehem
December 1, 2018
UPCOMING TRAINING
Writing a Business Plan
November 15, 2018
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Marketing Your Business
December 6, 2018
9:00am - 12:00pm

Corey Moore
Communications & Economic Development Specialist
Township of Muskoka Lakes
705-765-3156
cmoore@muskokalakes.ca
www.muskokalakes.ca