Economic Development eNews | July 12, 2022 |
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Top feature photo: The Recess Café owners Jen Pryal and Tim McMichael in their 70s-vibe eatery in Portland where great coffee is a passion.
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Top Marks for Recess Café's Amazing Food and Drinks
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PORTLAND - Remember how happy "recess" time was during your school days? That's just how owners Jen Pryal and Tim McMichael want you to feel about their unique eatery - Recess Café right on Highway 15.
It's a great stop that doesn't disappoint for an espresso, latte, cappuccino, a sweet dessert, savoury scone, breakfast or some fresh lunch-time fare.
"We've always talked about having our own small business to combine our passion for customer service and our knowledge of great food and coffee and this is it!" says Jen. They've both been in the food service industry for decades and met and married while working at a popular restaurant in Kingston.
"Making good food is a passion for us," says Tim, who knows how to create unforgettable sweet and savoury baked goods and desserts to keep customers coming back. They also have fun with their menu - The Greens, Egg and Ham is after Dr. Seuss and Ch Ch Chia Pudding with Oat Milk, Shredded Coconut, blueberry compote and house granola is after the planter TV ad. They're adding new items such as grain and noodle bowls. Watch for the new chicken salad sandwich with orange herb mayo, tomato and greens.
"I like the challenges of creativity," says Tim. "We've worked for others and helped them realize their vision and now we are seeing our own become reality. It's exciting."
Roast beef and pork are slow-cooked in house for sandwiches. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available. Jen and Tim seek out local ingredients and produce, for example fresh produce from Forman Farms west of Seeley's Bay and cheese from Bushgarden Farmstead in Elgin.
Located in the former Rideau Centennial Public School, Recess Café features espresso based drinks, both hearty and healthy all-day breakfast options, salad and sandwiches. You can dine in, enjoy their patio or do a takeaway to get back on the road - or back in your boat!
"We've had former students, teachers and even a principal come in. People even bring their yearbooks and there have been a few emotional reunions," says Jen of having their restaurant in an old school. "People have memories and attachments to the school."
The couple has lived in the Rideau Lakes area for about 9 years but they have been coming to the region to vacation for decades. They were brave enough to open their new venture during the pandemic but say the community has been very supportive.
"We opened to great acclaim with Tim's baking gaining a following of devotees coming in daily for his fresh-baked scones, cowboy cookies and squares," says Jen. It quickly became a gathering place for the local community, Jen and Tim are proud to say. They serve small-batch coffee by Ontario company Detour, a selection of teas, natural sodas, and more.
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Maitland Garden Trail Members Host Open Gardens
See stunning colours in the special Open Gardens event on July 23 rd featuring Maitland Garden of Hope and the Van Berlo Gardens. Maitland Garden of Hope is located at 1 Jones Court, Maitland, is just minutes away from Van Berlo Gardens at 1357 County Road 2. View google directions.
"The two large, ornamental gardens in Maitland include many uncommon plant varieties and amazing garden art," says Mary Ann Van Berlo. "Allow at least one hour for your visit to each garden so you can enjoy a relaxing stroll and take in nature’s beauty. The Open Gardens day will showcase these gardens when they are in peak bloom."
Both gardens will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a rain date of July 24th. Admission is free with donations being accepted for Sherwood Park Manor Long Term Care Home or Our Kenyan Kids.
Twelve public and private gardens are open for the 2022 season throughout Leeds Grenville in Gananoque, Ivy Lea, Mallorytown, Brockville, Maitland, Prescott, Johnstown, Kemptville, Oxford Station and Chaffey's Lock.
Both guided and self-guided tours are available well into the fall. Hours and contacts vary per garden, so please visit each garden's page for full details as some are by appointment only.
The famous 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail gained national notoriety in 2017 as the only trail given the 'Canada 150 Garden Experience Designation.'
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Above: Lilies in full bloom at Maitland Garden of Hope and Clematis ‘Samaritan Jo’ at Van Berlo Gardens |
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The Garden Trail continues to seek new gardens across the Counties. If you have a green thumb, and love to share your love of gardening with others, consider being a part of the trail. Have all your questions answered by current Garden Hosts on the trail, contact us today at econdev@uclg.on.ca
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In-Person Digital Support Coming to Your Community!
Our Digital Service Specialist, Cyndy Bolton, will be heading out on the road this July to meet with businesses across the Counties helping them secure up to $4,900 in grant money and provide FREE digital support.
Cyndy will be stopping into each community within the Counties service area to introduce herself and the array of FREE digital services she provides. If you are interested in meeting with Cyndy, and learning how to grow your business online, book a free consultation today. Join the 155 grant recipients and over 1,000 business owners already served right here in Leeds Grenville. See you soon!
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Monday, July 11 – Elizabethtown-Kitley
Tuesday, July 12 – Westport
Thursday, July 14 – Rideau Lakes
Monday, July 18 – Athens
Tuesday, July 19 – Merrickville-Wolford
Thursday, July 21 – Front of Yonge
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Not available these dates? Contact us today to choose between in-person, virtual and extended hours to suit your schedule. For more information on the Leeds Grenville program and to connect with our Digital Service Specialist, contact Digital Service Specialist Cyndy Bolton via email or call 613-342-3840, ext. 5368. |
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Canada-Ontario Job Grant gives support to employers or employer consortia
Do you want to provide training for your staff? Employers can access up to $10,000 to train team members! The Canada-Ontario Job Grant provides direct financial support to individual employers or employer consortia who wish to purchase training for their employees. It is available to small, medium and large businesses with a plan to deliver short-term training to existing and new employees.
For more information in the Brockville area, contact Teanne Larocque – Business Services Manager at the Employment + Education Centre - 613-498-2111 Ext. 365.
Contact CSE Consulting in Prescott at 613-925-0222 or in Kemptville at 613-258-6576. |
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Tourism Partnership Funding Intake 2 until July 25th
The next intake period for applications is now open until July 25th. Intake #2 Applications will be for projects beginning September 6, 2022 – March 31, 2023. They have implemented some changes to the program to help tourism operators even more during the 2022 – 2023 fiscal year.
1) Applicants who are not incorporated but do have a CRA Business Number (BN) can now apply for partnership funding.
2) There is one general application.
3) There are 4 categories to apply under.
Please connect with Lori McIsaac via email for all questions related to the application process. |
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Digital Transformation Grants of $2,500 Now Available
If you operate a brick and mortar business and pay commercial property taxes you may be eligible for a $2,500 Grant that can be used for:
- Developing or improving an existing website
- Digital Marketing and Assessment
- Digital Training
- Purchasing graphic design, social media and security software
- Digital accessibility compliance (AODA)
- A point-of-sale system
- Hardware (maximum of $1,000)
New businesses who received funds prior to 2021 are eligible to apply for funding again.
For more information on the Leeds Grenville program and to connect with our Digital Service Specialist, contact Leeds Grenville Business Development Officer Shelbi McFarlane via email or call 613-342-3840, ext. 5361. |
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Grow Your Business Online: $2,400 Grant Available to Small Businesses
The development and implementation of e-commerce is critical for businesses to remain competitive today. Through the Canada Digital Adoption Program, eligible small businesses can receive a grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting a wide array of digital technologies. Make sure your business is digitally visible and making the most of selling online.
Grant money can be used to undertake the following:
- Creation or improvement of digital e-commerce platform (online reservation / booking tools, online ordering systems, electronic payments)
- Costs related to website search optimization
- Social media advertising
- Development of new e-commerce website
- And more - Grow Your Business Online webpage
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Capital Grant - Ontario Trillium Foundation
Apply for a Capital grant to help your non-profit organization address a community need by improving the infrastructure Ontarians need to thrive. Whether it’s purchasing equipment, building a new space, or completing renovations, retrofits or repairs, Capital grants support projects that will have a positive impact in your community.
The Grant supports projects that:
- Improve access to community spaces, facilities, programs, activities and services, and facilitate community members’ full participation in the life of the community
- Improve and build community spaces
- Make programs and services better and more efficient
- Make better use of technology
Organizations can request funding for multiple capital improvements within one facility, for example, touchless entry and widening of doorways at a local community centre, or they can request funding for the same capital improvements at multiple facilities, for example, HVAC retrofits at 3 municipal arenas.
Next deadline: Wednesday, August 3rd
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Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities
The Government of Canada is working with employers and the disability community to invest in programs and services that will help to increase the accessibility of workplaces and connect persons with disabilities to skills training and good jobs. The Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities program helps support individuals, employers and others that work to support disability inclusion and accessibility in employment.
Eligible organizations can apply for funding up to $15-million for a project that is up to 3 years in length.
Project Goals:
- Promote an inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
- Address both new and long-standing labour market barriers for persons with disabilities
- Provide innovative programming in support of persons with disabilities who are most underserved and / or further from the labour market
Submission Deadline: Eligible organizations can apply up to July 22 at 3 p.m.
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library |
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The Game of Value - Kickstarting Young Entrepreneurs to Success
Robbie Deeks, a former Summer Company student graduate, is now an entrepreneur extraordinaire and will be talking about his experiences in this in-person workshop about the struggles and rewards of owning your own business. Robbie worked at Shopify + and is now the co-founder of VaynerCommerce. Hear from someone who has been there and can tell you what it takes to build a valuable business that you can be proud of.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 13, 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
WHERE: Employment & Education Centre on Strowger Boulevard in Brockville
COST: Free - This is for all past and present Summer Company students and business owners
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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 July 26th edition should be received by Monday, July 18th.
- Submissions for the August 9th edition should be received by Friday, July 29th,
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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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Shelbi McFarlane
Business Development Officer
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32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
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