Economic Development eNews | August 25, 2020 |
|
Cedar Forest Park Campground campers call it a summer haven |
MALLORYTOWN - Monia and Robert Desaulniers are happy they took a leap into the unknown and bought Cedar Forest Park Campground.
Today, a decade after their purchase, they say it is one of the best decisions they have ever made. And while COVID-19 has affected their operations like so many others, it's been a great season so far with good summer weather, loyal customers and people opting for 'staycations'.
"This has been our busiest summer in 10 years," says Monia. "We are seeing a lot more locals from Kingston and throughout this area."
Cedar Forest Park Campground is located on the south shore of Graham Lake, one of this area's many popular inland lakes. It is known for its swimming, boating and fishing, gorgeous sunsets over the water as well as its friendly camping community. Cedar Forest Park has 92 sites, including 14 on the waterfront and features a cabin for rent overlooking the water.
"We had a lot of day-use requests this year but unfortunately we couldn't offer that because of social distancing," says Monia. The pandemic has also meant they cannot have some of the events they've hosted in the past. Despite having to take all required safety requirements, the park's social committee has still tried to deliver some special events and activities - albeit at a distance.
"They've been very creative," says Monia. "For our Christmas in July we did something different. We delivered gifts to the children as usual but they were dropped off early in the morning on to campers' decks with no contact. The kids loved it."
The campground offers many amenities, including play areas for children, a recreational hall, a renovated ice cream and general supply shop, a beach, boat launch and docking spaces, including a new set of docks added this past year.
"It's very tranquil and the owners are fantastic," says camper Phil Holden. He and his wife Nicole are from Lunenburg and are seasonals who keep coming back every year.
"This is our sanctuary and our happy place," says Nicole.
Robert and Monia say they enjoy knowing they've created a welcoming location where people want to return year after year, even during a pandemic.
"They come for the weekend and they don't want to leave," says Monia, adding 85% of their campers started as weekenders but are now seasonals. Although this is a year unlike any other, campers have adjusted and are even more appreciative of the campground and what is on their doorsteps. "People are discovering just how much there is to do around here," she says, noting they make sure campers are aware of what is open in the region during pandemic times.
"Our goal is to ensure they enjoy their time here," she says.
|
|
Top feature photo: Owners Monia and Robert Desaulniers on the deck overlooking the beach. Below: Camper Daniel Martin with his catch of the day. |
Above photo: A lakefront campsite. Below photos: Nicole and Phil Holden on their deck and the Cedar Forest Park store. |
|
Cedar Forest Park Campground is open from May to Thanksgiving. Visit their Facebook page to learn more or give them a call at 613-923-5726. They are located at 10 Cedar Forest Road, off Lake Street.
|
|
3M Canada President Penny Wise, centre, walks to the podium with Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, followed by federal Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli, and Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark at Friday's announcement. |
|
3M Brockville plant expanding to produce N95 masks |
|
Above: Prime Minister Trudeau at the podium. Below: Premier Ford. |
|
Made-in-Ontario N95 respirators will soon be produced at an expanding 3M Canada Brockville manufacturing facility in partnership with the provincial and federal governments.
Both levels of government are investing $23.33 million to support 3M’s capital investment of $70 million. The facility will make enough respirators to meet private sector, provincial and North American market demand throughout the pandemic and beyond. The project is expected to create 30 jobs in Brockville, including production operators; maintenance technicians; process engineers; supervisors; and quality assurance professionals.
“Our health care workers have been on the front lines of our country’s fight against COVID-19 since the very beginning,” said Prime Minister Trudeau at last Friday's announcement. “This agreement with 3M Canada highlights the Government of Canada’s commitment to protecting those who are doing so much to keep their fellow Canadians healthy and safe," the Prime Minister added.
“Ontario is a manufacturing powerhouse and our joint investment with the federal government and 3M Canada shows we can make the best N95 respirators anywhere in the world to supply our frontline heroes here in Ontario and right across Canada," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark was at the Brockville plant to take part in the announcement along with Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
“Early on in this pandemic, Premier Ford pledged that Ontario’s frontline heroes would never again have to worry about PPE supplies. When he said that, I knew 3M and our community could be part of the solution and I was determined to help make it happen,” said Clark.
"We are extremely proud to deliver a made-in-Canada solution that strengthens the North American region’s supply of PPE for healthcare workers, first responders and those in critical infrastructure and industry roles,” said Penny Wise, President of 3M Canada.
|
|
|
Summer Company celebrating
20 years of young entrepreneurs
|
Local business owners Mitch Beattie and Zach Benson know starting a company is no easy task.
They took their first steps as entrepreneurs through Summer Company, an Ontario government program that helps young people aged 15 to 29 years start and run their own summer business by providing funding, advice and services. The program is celebrating 20 years.
Mitch was only 17 back in 2013 when he launched what would become highly successful summer soccer camps through Summer Company. St. Lawrence Soccer Camps even expanded to three other Leeds Grenville communities.
"Up to that point, I didn't know what entrepreneurship was or how to run a business," says Mitch. "I would 100% say if you have the entrepreneurship drive, it is the best program to dip your toe in and see what's involved."
Today, Mitch operates Beattie Film, which has even taken him to other countries, and 1000 Islands Co., an online clothing business. He has a wide range of clients, from Hucks Marine and Resort locally to giant Amazon.
"My main passion is digital marketing," says Mitch, adding he has a third venture is in the works to offer smaller businesses stock video clips and marketing strategy support.
Zach launched 4Life Fitness via the Summer Company in 2018. He had a background running football camps dating back 7 years but he has since exploded into other sports.
"Now we do complete athletic development and post-secondary prep for all sports. The biggest thing I'm proud of is we're putting Brockville on the map," says Zach.
His company has grown every month in terms of revenue and client acquisition. He feels he would have gone into business no matter what, but Summer Company helped.
"What they really do is tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. They keep pushing your vision forward. Their best advice is telling you to find a strategic alliance," Zach says.
"Celebrating 20 years with Mitch, Zach and our previous participants, mentors, dignitaries and community supporters is a great marker for the Centre," says Wendy Onstein, manager and lead consultant at the centre. "We are proud of the impact the program has had on the community."
|
|
Mitch Beattie has traveled overseas with his company Beattie Film to do work for Lime Light and Global Partners. |
4Life Fitness founder and owner Zach Benson working with a student. |
|
HFI Pyrotechnics selected for Munitions Supply Program
DOMVILLE - HFI Pyrotechnics has become the first new company added to the Munitions Supply Program in almost 40 years as Canada’s Strategic Source and Centre of Excellence for pyrotechnics.
The Canada Strategic Sourcing Agreement signed in late July solidifies the source of supply in Canada for essential pyrotechnic material, products, and services.
"It is gratifying to have the Government of Canada recognize HFI’s talented team of manufacturing experts and record of achievement in this historic, precedent-setting selection," said John Witherspoon, President and CEO of HFI, located north of Prescott.
“This Strategic Source Agreement establishes a close collaborative Government-Industry environment that will help sustain 65 highly technical and skilled jobs and sets the foundation for positive growth internationally," Mr. Witherspoon said, adding they will be adding 15 new jobs in the coming year.
As Canada’s Centre of Excellence for pyrotechnics, HFI has satisfied the Canadian Armed Forces’ operational and training requirements for pyrotechnics for over 147 years.
HFI is the sole supplier of all marine location markers for Canada’s and the U.S.’s Navy and is the world’s supplier of military and commercial search and rescue markers for other navies, coast guards, and security forces around the globe. Its ideally located 500-acre test and production facility within Leeds Grenville provides support to the Canadian government and industry clients, as well as U.S. and international exports. Learn more on the HFI Pyrotechnics website and LinkedIn site.
|
|
Immigrant Entrepreneur Award nominations now being accepted
Nominations are open for the 6th Annual Leeds Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award. Anyone can nominate an immigrant-owned/operated business in the Leeds Grenville area by submitting the names of the business and the immigrant. The award is presented by the St. Lawrence Rideau Immigration Partnership.
Who is eligible:
- Born outside of Canada
- Owner/operator of an active business in Leeds Grenville
- Live in Leeds Grenville
- Demonstrate the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur
Nominations are due by September 11th, 2020, and can be sent in via email, by visiting the Employment + Education Centre, 105 Strowger Boulevard, Brockville, by calling 613-498-2111, ext. 261, or via social media @LGImmigration.
|
|
Canada Wage Subsidy - COVID-19
Eligible employers who had any drop in revenue can now qualify for the wage subsidy, starting with the claim period that began July 5th.
Changes to CEWS as of claim period 5 (July to November 21, 2020)
- the subsidy rate varies, depending on how much your revenue dropped
- if your revenue drop was less than 30% you can still qualify, and keep getting the subsidy as employees return to work and your revenue recovers
- employers who were hardest hit over a period of three months get a higher amount
- employees who were unpaid for 14 or more days can now be included in your calculation
- use the current period’s revenue drop or the previous period’s, whichever works in your favour
- for periods 5 and 6, if your revenue dropped at least 30%, your subsidy rate will be at least 75%
- even if your revenue has not dropped for the claim period, you can still qualify if your average revenue over the previous three months dropped more than 50%
- the maximum base subsidy rate is 60% in claim periods 5 and 6
- the maximum base subsidy rate will begin to decline in claim period 7, gradually reducing to 20% in period 9
|
|
Rent subsidy for Small Business - COVID-19
July and August extensions are now available:
- If you have previously been approved, you automatically qualify for the extensions and no additional documents are required. Not all tenants in the original application need to be included in the request for the July and/or August extension.
- If you haven’t yet applied for CECRA for small businesses, you must apply for July and August as part of your entire application.
|
|
Ontario Automotive Modernization Program COVID-19
The Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP) is a partnership with small- and medium-sized automotive parts suppliers in Ontario. The goal is to help modernize Ontario’s automotive supply chain and make it more competitive.
Your business could get up to $100,000 to help cover up to 50% of eligible project costs.
As a successful applicant, you are required to contribute at least 50% of remaining project costs through:
- your own business resources
- private or bank financing
|
|
Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
|
OMAFRA offering New-to-exporting seminar specific to US food and beverage markets
The PROFIT (Program to Raise Ontario Food International Trade) is designed to provide a working knowledge of exporting food and beverage products to the USA and to help you with your export planning. It is ideal for staff in a variety of roles including marketing and sales, shipping and logistics, support and new staff. Any Ontario-based manufacturer or seller of Ontario-made food, beverage or agriculture products are welcome to register.
Topics will include:
- Preparing to Export and the importance of an export plan
- Market Research
- Food Safety
- Nutritional Testing and Labeling
- Logistics and Transportation
- Financial Risk Management
- US Tax Laws
- Government Funding Programs
- Working with US Customs, FDA and USDA
- Selling into the US
- Exporting to International Markets
- Experienced Exporter Panel
|
|
WHEN:
Session 1: Tuesday, September 1
Session 2: Thursday, September 3
Session 3: Tuesday, September 8
Session 4: Thursday, September 10
TIME: 9:30 - 11 a.m.
COST: Free
|
|
Session 5: Tuesday, September 15
Session 6: Thursday, September 17
Session 7: Tuesday, September 22
Session 8: Thursday, September 24
|
|
|
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 September 8th edition should be received by Monday, August 31st.
- Submissions for the September 22nd edition should be received by Monday, September 14th,
|
|
COVID-19 Business Updates
For business assistance call 613-342-3840 ext. 5365 or email. |
|
Ann Weir
Economic Development Manager
|
|
Deanna Clark
Economic Development Officer
|
|
Joanne Poll
Administration / Communications Support
|
|
Shelbi Mcfarlane
Business Development Officer
|
|
|
32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
