Economic Development eNews | October 19, 2021
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Watercolour Westport reinvents the traditional neighbourhood
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WESTPORT - It's the creation of a walkable, traditional-style neighbourhood of new homes with welcoming verandahs, plenty of sidewalks, natural open spaces and trails.
And where better to develop such a new cottage-lifestyle community than on the edge of the already walkable village of Westport in a location surrounded by 32 lakes and the Rideau Canal? Could it get better? Yes! Add to the ideal location of the development the fact the homes are rated high in energy efficiency and are Net Zero Ready - a first in Canada.
Environmentally conscious Land Ark Homes Founder Stephen Rolston and General Manager Kevin Rankin believe in "social and land stewardship" in their Watercolour Westport home development.
"These are homes of the future but we're building them right now. Why wait?" asks Stephen, who has been creating community developments for 30 years.
"We want to build homes people will love within an active, walkable community," says Stephen. "We think Westport is a natural place for this because of its existing walkability and attractions. It punches way above its 700-people weight."
The development, which got underway earlier this year, has 4 phases, the first being 25 lots with 12 designer finished homes with 5 bungalow styles and 4 different two-storey options. Later phases will include semis and townhomes. Half of the lots and home are already sold / reserved. Interest in the community is very high.
"People are really wanting to get out of the urban crush, the disconnection," says Kevin. "People are rethinking the type of lifestyle and quality of life they want to have."
A perfect combination is buying a home which is highly energy efficient in a back-to-your-roots, walkable neighbourhood. You can keep your car in the garage for days on end. The goal is to create an enduring balance of nature and neighbourhood. Care has been taken in the architectural design of the new houses to be reflective of the style of many of Westport's existing heritage homes.
The houses are built Net Zero Ready using the latest technologies and designs to be more durable and 80% more energy efficient. Advanced construction methods include triple-pane windows, better insulated walls and roof, superior heating, cooling and fresh-air ventilation systems. They promise fibre optic internet to your door so you can work from home in cottage country.
Land Ark is an award-winning homebuilder recognized by its homeowners and industry as a builder that exceeds expectations. Their slogan is "New Homes - New Life - New Possibilities."
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Top feature photo: Land Ark Homes Founder Stephen Rolston, left, and General Manager Kevin Rankin in front of one of the Watercolour Westport homes.
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Enhanced vaccine certificate with the official QR codes is now available to download
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Economic Development Summit
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Ontario Real Estate Association's Chief Executive Officer Tim Hudak.
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Province's top real estate CEO
is Summit Keynote Speaker
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Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), will give the opening keynote address at this year's Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit on November 19th.
As chief of Canada's largest provincial real estate industry association representing 78,000 realtors, Tim will talk about the big picture in Ontario's current housing market along with taking questions from summit attendees.
Tim joined OREA in 2016 following a distinguished 21 years of public service in the Ontario Legislature.
Since becoming CEO in December 2016, Tim and his team have focused on transforming OREA into Ontario’s most effective professional association that delivers high-impact advocacy on behalf of REALTORS® and consumers, and provides quality services to members.
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During his first year as OREA CEO, Tim was named one of the most powerful people in residential real estate by Swanepoel Power 200.
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Register now for the Summit!
The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office, in partnership with Michael Barrett M.P., the Hon. Steve Clark, M.P.P., the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board and the 1000 Islands, Grenville and Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporations, invite you to the region’s top Economic Development event of the year. Join us for a day focused on Economic Development and Leadership. The Bill Thake Award will be presented. For the second year, the summit will be held virtually. Last year more than 230 people joined in.
Date: Friday, November 19, 2021
The webcast opens at 8 a.m. The program begins at 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
An advanced agenda will be available soon!
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Don't forget to choose a local food package
Counties Economic Development has partnered with My Local Markets in support of Leeds Grenville local food products.
Packages are $25, $50 or $75 and will be delivered the week of November 19th. Taxes and delivery are included in the price.
Packages will be available for purchase until Tuesday, November 16th, at 3 p.m. The shipping address you provide is where your food products will be delivered. Cancellation Policy: My Local Markets packages must be ordered before 3 pm Tuesday, November 16th; and 48 hours notice prior to the event for cancellation of summit event tickets.
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$2,500 Digital Transformation Grants Still Available!
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Over 100 businesses in Leeds Grenville have used the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant to go online or improve their online presence. If you operate a brick and mortar businesses that pays commercial property taxes you may be eligible for the Grant that can be used for:
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- 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 $1,000)
Irene Ireland and her daughter Kristin have recently worked with the Leeds Grenville Digital Service Squad to update their online presence. In 2022, Lakeline Lodge & Marina will celebrate their 60th year of operation by the Ireland family on Charleston Lake.
“We have applied for the Digital Transformation Grant to update our website so that our clients can make online reservations,” says Kristin.
“We are also building our email list to keep in touch with our clients and families year round and we are setting up an online store,” she adds.
Kristen feels that the Digital Main Street training videos have been very informative and given her new perspectives on current business trends.
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Kristin Ireland of Lakeline Lodge & Marina on Charleston Lake.
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To discuss the Digital Grant and other services, contact:
Jim Hutton, Business Development Officer
Leeds Grenville Economic Development
32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON, K6V 4R9
Ph: 613-342-3840 ext. 5361 | Toll free: 1-800-770-2170; ext. 5361
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Ontario Tourism Recovery Fund - Application deadline November 10th
The Tourism Recovery Program is for-profit tourism businesses. These include hotels, inns, resorts, boat tours, breweries / wineries, motor coaches, sight-seeing tour operators, public golf courses, farm-based tourism attractions, live performance venues, cinemas, museums, and Indigenous attractions. The program funding will help businesses retain and create tourism jobs, and help them reopen and safely welcome back visitors.
Applicants must have experienced a decline of at least 50% of qualifying revenue in the reported 2020-2021 year (COVID impacts and related losses), compared to the fiscal year end of 2019 (pre-COVID baseline year) .
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Support for Agri-Food Businesses Productivity
Applications are now being accepted under Phase 2 of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support food and beverage manufacturing industry improve labour and production efficiency, and waste reduction.
The deadline for submission is tomorrow October 20, 2021. For more information visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs webpage.
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Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library
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Financial and Market-access Tools for Growth Webinar
Growing your business? This webinar offers you information on financial and market-access tools. Businesses that are innovating and pursuing growth initiatives, experience challenges in accessing capital and strategizing entry into new markets. This seminar provides a forum to hear from the experts and companies on how you can access the capital you need to scale whether it’s for R&D, investing in intangible assets, or product and market development. You will gain insights on how to develop a robust growth strategy where maintaining financial control and expanding internationally are at the core of your plan.
The Government of Ontario is hosting this session to help you learn how to access capital and access opportunities to help your business enter new markets and find new customers. Hear from experts at Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Global Affairs Canada and Canadian entrepreneurs about:
- Access to growth capital
- Programs and opportunities to help you access global markets
- How some of Canada’s most innovative companies achieved success
WHEN: Wednesday, October 20, 10-11:30 a.m.
COST: Free
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Instagram 101: Beginners
In this webinar hosted by the Small Business Advisory Centre, speaker Jennifer Baker will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to effectively manage your business’ Instagram presence as well as creating engaging content.
Participants will be introduced to effective account management, understand the difference between personal and business accounts, as well as creating and sharing effective posts. By the end of the webinar participants will be able to:
- navigate an Instagram account
- identify simple strategies to improve engagement and reach
- use effective hashtags
WHEN: Wednesday, October 20
10:00 am - 11:30 pm. Online event.
COST: Free
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Instagram for Business 101
Join the South Grenville Digital Service Squad as they discuss why you should consider Instagram for your business, and learn some quick tips to help improve your feed, whether you're just starting out on the the platform or just haven't optimized your feed yet.
WHEN: Monday, October 25
11 a.m. to 12 noon. Online event.
COST: Free
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What is the Safe Travels Stamp and Why is it Important to Tourism?
It's more than wearing masks, donning gloves and maintaining social distancing. The Safe Travels Stamp is based on worldwide industry protocols, and identifies businesses which have adopted global standardized health and hygiene protocols. Eligible businesses including hotels, restaurants, cruise lines, tour operators and attractions will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented.
The Safe Travels Stamp Award is a way for your customers and local residents to recognize your business's outstanding efforts in adopting these health and hygiene standardized protocols. Join the webinar to learn more about TIAO and the WTTC, the Safe Travels Stamp, and how to apply for yours.
WHEN: Tuesday, November 2
10:00 am - 11:00 am. Online event hosted by RTO9.
COST: Free
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2021 Agri-Food Forum - Innovation and Resiliency
The 2021 Municipal Agriculture Economic Development & Planning Forum is being hosted virtually by The Regional Municipality of York and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). This event will feature a number of industry speakers, expert panels, an overview of York Region’s agriculture and agri-food sector and much more.
This is a great opportunity for those with an interest in regional and local economic development and land use planning to learn, network and share experiences.
This year’s theme is Innovation and Resiliency in the Agri-Food Sector, focused on agri-tech, entrepreneurship, exploring innovative ways of doing business and building a resilient agri-food sector in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 3rd to Thursday, November 4th, 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Online.
COST: Starting at $73.45
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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 November 2nd edition should be received by Monday, October 25th.
- Submissions for the November 16th edition should be received by Monday, November 8th.
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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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