Top feature photo: Blackwood Guitar Making Workshop / Company owner Ted Brown in his teaching facility on County Road 5 between Mallorytown and Athens. |
Above photos: A selection of Ted's guitars; Ted using a thermal blanket steam bending machine.
Below: Three of five work stations, each with windows for natural light.
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Blackwood Guitar Company ready to help create the instrument of your dreams |
MALLORYTOWN - Guitar maker and teacher Ted Brown is committed to crafting instruments that resonate beautiful, multifaceted sound.
"There are resonance points at different nodes, you listen for the overtones and the mixing of sound," says Ted, who has crafted more than 100 guitars and sold them to musicians as far away as Ireland. His guitars have been strummed by legends Tom Cochrane and Jim Cuddy.
"I cannot make two guitars the same," Ted says, and that is part of their unique beauty and why his business has been growing for more than 10 years. He crafts about 12 steel string acoustic guitars per year and is now expanding into teaching others his craft.
"The guitar you make will be played by your children's children," says Ted. "You enjoy the journey and the joy of craftsmanship. When you are done, you have something that makes beautiful sounds. Even if you have no woodworking experience, I can teach you to make a fine guitar."
Among his many creations are the Little Blackwood, the Parlour Guitar and the Grand Concert Guitar.
Ted and his wife Avril O'Neill relocated from Ottawa to the Mallorytown area in 2020. Ted has spent the past year building a large five-station workshop.
"It's exactly as I wanted it to be and I'm excited to get this going," Ted says, adding his first intensive five-week session begins July 26th. The 1,000-square-foot space is humidity and temperature-controlled for ideal working conditions. Check out more on his Guitar Making Course.
Ted has enjoyed woodworking his entire life. In 1990 he began taking night classes in Edmonton, and then he left the life of high tech to return to Ottawa and take the Cabinetmaking Program at Algonquin College. In 1993, Ted went to California to study at the prestigious College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking program under master furniture maker James Krenov. Eleven years ago, Ted switched to guitar making. He then trained under a master guitar maker in Quebec and now builds guitars full time in Mallorytown.
Ted's motto is "Making fine instruments for the discerning player." He takes pride in using the finest woods. His instruments are known for having good bottom end sound and volume. He uses tap testing while building to make the most responsive guitar possible.
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Learn more about Mallorytown's Blackwood Guitar Company / Blackwood Guitar Making Workshop by visiting their website and Facebook page. The workshop is located at 340 County Road 5. Ted can be reached at 613-292-1985. |
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Show Your Support! Local businesses want your 'Views'
Like and share your favourite small business promotional videos with friends and family. These one-minute videos represent 13 different municipalities from various industry sectors that make-up this dynamic region.
Be proud of these amazing small businesses! Visit our Video Gallery or check out each video individually below by clicking on the image or business name. Click on the Grow Your Business, Love Your Lifestyle to see the entire series. |
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Rideau Lakes Businesses praised for service and innovation |
The Township of Rideau Lakes Economic Development Committee announced its annual awards on April 9th. A recording of this virtual event is posted on the Township website which highlights the businesses and awards.
The vision of Wendy’s Country Market is to connect farmers, consumers and restaurants in a healthier food system. Wendy’s carries a full range of fresh local and organic foods from over 60 local producers and is a destination for residents and visitors.
Elizabeth Murray, of Ethereal Massage Therapy in a newly-renovated building in Delta, is the winner of the Young Entrepreneur Award.
Andrew Davies of No. 9 Gardens, Canada's First Sustainability and Reconciliation Centre, earned the Business Innovation Award.
“We greatly appreciate the outstanding contributions
of your business to the fabric of our community," said Rideau Lakes Mayor Arie Hoogenboom.
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Wendy Banks from Wendy's Country Market near Lyndhurst. |
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“We commend your business expertise, hard work, and commitment; and wish you continued success in the future," said Committee Chair Cathy Livingston.
Congratulatory remarks were given by MP Michael Barrett and MPP Steve Clark. Warden Roger Haley and Ann Weir, Counties Economic Development Manager, were also in attendance.
The Economic Development Committee reminds all residents that Rideau Lakes is home to a vast array of businesses and services. The Committee encourages residents to continue supporting local businesses.
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Leeds Grenville DSS Concentrate on Tourism Sector Businesses
The five Digital Service Squads (DSS) working throughout Leeds Grenville have been extended to June 4, 2021. Originally the DSS were required to work with businesses located on main streets, however, with the funding extension the squads are now able to work with any brick and mortar business located within their service area.
The area serviced by the Leeds Grenville DSS includes Westport, Rideau Lakes, Merrickville-Wolford, Front of Yonge, Athens and Elizabethtown-Kitley. This is an area where tourism is a very important economic sector.
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John and Norma Banford with three of their Golden Retrievers. |
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With the ability to now expand the service to all businesses until June, the Leeds Grenville DSS will be contacting as many tourism-related businesses as possible to offer the free services to improve their online presence.
One example of a rural agri-tourism business that was able to benefit from the expanded DSS service area is Golden Moment Farm, located on Mother Barnes Road in Rideau Lakes Township.
Golden Moment Farm's Norma Banford has consulted with the DSS regarding website improvements and social media support related to expanding the business and capitalizing on the use of its year-round scenic trails through the 350-acre property.
“It was a pleasure working with Cyndy Bolton to talk about improvements to our website and using social media to enhance our business. She was very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly,” says Norma.
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Digital Service Squad services include:
- Offering each business free one-on-one digital consulting, which may include an audit of current digital presences and recommendations for growth
- Help investigating point-of-sale inventory, customer and content management systems
- Help develop a better understanding of Facebook, Instagram and other platforms for business
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Referring businesses to the ShopHERE (website development) and Future Proof (total digital transformation) programs
- Being a touch point for current COVID-19 relief funding, referring further inquiries for support to Leeds Grenville Business Development Officer Jim Hutton.
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Augusta, Edwardsburgh Cardinal, Prescott
Dana Valentyne, Economic Development Officer
Town of Prescott
T: 613-925-2812 x 6221
Gananoque & Leeds and the Thousand Islands
McKenna Modler, Business Support & Marketing
Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
T: 613-453-2656
Brockville
Haley Veronyak, Executive Director
Downtown Brockville
T: 613-345-3269 x 101
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Westport, Merrickville-Wolford, Athens, Front of Yonge, Elizabethtown-Kitley, Rideau Lakes
Jim Hutton, Business Development Officer
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
T: 613-342-3840 x 5361
North Grenville
Matt Gilmer, Economic Development Officer
Municipality of North Grenville
T: 613-258-9569 x 153
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The federal budget was released yesterday. The proposed budget plans to extend business and income support, new training and work opportunities for youth, support for businesses in the most affected sectors of tourism and arts and culture, investment in digital transformation of small and medium-sized businesses. This includes extending Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and lockdown support until September 25, 2021.
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Funding and Financial Support |
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Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program - Now Open
This program is for established farm producing agricultural commodities or a business that provides off-farm primary packing services for primary agricultures or a business that provides corn detasselling services - must involve intensive use of labour where labour works in close proximity of one another.
Eligible activities include modifications throughout an agricultural operation, worker housing, or worker transportation system to ensure physical distancing, worker PPE and approved safety supplies, cleaning and disinfection, providing arrangement to support worker accommodation and work-site mobility.
Funding is limited to $7,500 per business or $7,500 per property.
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Resilient Communities Fund for Non-Profit Sector – Re-opens
This program supports non-profits adapting to the challenges created by the pandemic as they recover and rebuild. It complements existing emergency response funding and assists organization to deal with new and emerging needs for both them and their communities by building their organization capacity and their ability to deliver programs and services.
For more information visit the Ontario Trillium Foundation webpage. |
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Available Funding Programs
Counties Economic Development maintains a full list of COVID-19 financial support programs for businesses on the webpage. Please subscribe to this webpage as these programs open and close as federal and provincial programs are announced. For further assistance on these programs please contact Jim Hutton, Business Development Officer by email or call 613-342-3840 ext. 5361.
Funding Programs now accepting applications include:
Tourism Adaptation Fund – Continuous Intake until funds are depleted, apply early
- For Tourism-related business located within Leeds Grenville (except for Gananoque who had previous access to similar funds)
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Non-repayable grants between $1,500 - $20,000. Applicants need to have matching cash contribution of 20% as the grant will cover 80% excluding HST.
- Eligible costs include signage and equipment for meeting health and safety protocols, alterations to accommodate social distancing and digital tools.
- For more information and the application visit the Region 9 Regional Tourism Organization webpage.
Reconnect Festival and Event Program – Deadline April 20, 5 p.m.
- Program supports innovative programming and marketing for festivals and events, to help create great Ontario staycation experiences for visitors and to stimulate local community economic development and recovery.
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Eligible event would that take place between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022
- Application period is now open through the ONe-key account. Account set-up may take up to five days, so begin the process early
- For information on the program see Available funding opportunities from the Ontario Government, changes to eligibility, funding priorities and program details see the application guide
Community Building Fund – Operating Stream – Deadline April 28, 5 p.m.
- Support for non-profits and Indigenous communities in the community with a significant presence in the arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation sectors that operate facilities and/or deliver experience or program in Ontario that are open to the public
- Eligible expenses include salaries, innovation and web/virtual costs, equipment, rent/lease and fixed operating costs to a maximum of $250,000
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For more information on eligibility and how to apply visit Ontario Trillium Foundation webpage.
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
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The Importance of Tourism Research
Join RTO9. Oliver Martin of Twenty31 and Fran Hohol of CBRE as they discuss the importance of tourism research, how to use research and how important it is for current and future decision making.
Oliver is a destination development strategist with over 18 years of experience in quantitative research. He has worked with 50+ tourism management organizations to develop sustainable growth plans and to measure impact. Fran is Senior Director at CBRE Limited with over 35 years of consulting experience in the hospitality and tourism sector. Fran is also responsible for CBRE Hotels’ extensive national database on the accommodation sector, including the collection of monthly data on the performance of Canada’s hotel sector (Occupancy, Average Daily Rate and RevPar). This data is reported to RTO 9, along with a National Trends Report for a market comparison to the rest of Canada.
WHEN: Monday, April 26, 10-11 a.m.
COST: Free
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The Importance of Email Marketing for Your Business
Does your business have an eNewsletter? Or the need to develop and maintain an updated contact list of clients and customers for use in email marketing? This webinar will discuss the benefits of integrating email marketing, specifically MailChimp, into your online marketing strategy. This session is hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre and features speaker Jennifer Baker.
Participants will by the end of the session be able to:
- Describe the benefits of developing an effective email marketing strategy.
- Recognize the importance of maintaining an organized contact list.
- Implement tactics to develop an effective email marketing campaign.
- Identify key reporting analytics.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 28, 10-11 a.m.
COST: Free
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Leeds Grenville eNews Deadlines for submitting information:
If you have an upcoming workshop, seminar, or business-related event, please email it to us in advance.
- Submissions for the May 4th edition should be received by Monday, April 26th.
- Submissions for the May 18th edition should be received by Monday, May 10th.
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Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
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Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
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Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
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Jim Hutton
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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