Economic Development eNews | June 10, 2025 | | An Expert Blend of Simple and Healthy Options | | |
SPENCERVILLE – Alyssa Davie knew early on that she’d someday own a shop like Monday Nutrition. She recalls a charming store near her family cottage in Haliburton from her childhood. “It was fun and inspiring. I knew I wanted something like that eventually,” she says
Fast-forward a few decades, Alyssa now finds herself “blending the retail and practitioner experience in her very own shop.” Both the in-store and online shops carry 99.9% Canadian-sourced products, with as many as possible coming from close to home. I feel like I was ahead of the curve on the buy-Canadian movement,” she notes.
The shelves are lined with clean proteins, specialty teas, coffee, gluten- and dairy-free snacks made in-house, organic pantry items, toiletries, bulk refills, and wellness books. The cooler offers dips, spreads, beverages, and fresh meal options for busy days. Brands like Rideau Roastery, Tea by G, MOMme Holistic Co., Niyama Wellness, and CanPrev Natural Health Products grace the displays.
Alyssa discovered the impact of wellness after experiencing corporate burnout. She returned to school and became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. While raising a newborn during the pandemic, she began working part-time and turned her vision into a business grounded in health and balance.
Her first venture involved creating homemade soups sold from her repurposed garage, which she transformed into a cozy, welcoming shop with help from a friend. “It was a challenge balancing my roles,” she says. As the business grew, she added wellness workshops with the dream of building a local hub.
When a commercial space on the main street became available, Alyssa knew it was the right opportunity. “It felt like it was made to be shared,” she recalls. Monday Nutrition now shares the space with Kerry Smith-Blacker of Spirit Smith, a spa-style healing practice. “It’s a warm and welcoming wellness market that’s collaborative, inviting, and judgment-free,” Alyssa says.
The Drink Bar, a new revenue generator, sits strategically at the back of the shop. It offers protein smoothies and green drinks in flavours like Red Velvet, Pineapple Mango, Mojito, and Berry. Add a booster like mushroom or beetroot for extra nutrition. It’s healthy food on the go, right in the heart of the village.
Alyssa credits the Starter Company Plus experience with giving her the confidence to leap into entrepreneurship. “I’d recommend the program to anyone thinking about starting a business. The Economic Development Office was so supportive,” she says. Her advice to other entrepreneurs: “Join the program. It helps you grow in a healthy way.” She also recommends hiring a bookkeeper early and starting your email marketing list from day one. “Don’t wait—it’ll make things easier later,” she adds.
A positive perspective is part of Alyssa’s approach to business, wellness, and helping others become their best selves.
| | Photos: top main, Alyssa Davie poses by her wall of teas and spices. Above, a subtly-fragranced line of personal care products grace the shelves; the intuitively stocked shop well know for Alyssa's personal service; the new Drink Bar serves yummy and healthy on-the-go food. | | Invitation to Economic Development Strategic Areas of Focus | | |
Counties Economic Development is renewing its strategic areas of focus and collaborating with Community Futures Grenville, 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation and Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporation. As part of the planning process, businesses and business support agencies are invited to participate in a dialogue that will review previous activities, recent data and trends, with a strong focus on discussing future activities.
The six areas highlighted in the 2020-2025 Strategic Areas of Focus include: Leadership and Capacity Building, Investment Readiness / Invest Attraction – Business and Industry, Business Retention and Expansion, Talent Attraction and Workforce Development, Diversified Economy, and Marketing and Communications.
Advanced registration is required for participation, with limited seats available. Please register for one session only.
In-Person Sessions:
| | |
Session 1
When: Monday, June 23
Time: 9:30-11 a.m.
Where: The Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville
in partnership with:
| | |
Session 2
When: Monday, June 23
Time: 2-3:30 p.m.
Where: South Elmsley Municipal Complex, 441 Highway 15
in partnership with:
| | |
Session 3
When: Wednesday, June 25
Time: 10:30-12 p.m.
Where: Athens Free Methodist Church, 58 Elgin Street
in partnership with:
| | |
Session 4: Virtual Zoom
Wednesday, June 25, 7 p.m.
| | | | Parks Canada Releases 2025 Schedule for Rideau Canal Marine Access | | |
During construction of the Lasalle Causeway permanent bridge, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has implemented a temporary modular bridge. The main navigation channel under the modular bridge will now open on a fixed schedule for larger and taller vessels:
9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- June 8, 15, 22, 29
- July 1, 6, 13, 20, 27
- August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- September 7
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- September 21, October 5, October 14
During these openings, the temporary modular bridge will be removed in the morning and reinstalled later the same day to accommodate marine traffic during daylight hours. Outside of these periods, the temporary bridge would remain in place.
| | |
Student Job Provides 175th Support
Welcome to Journalism student Izabelle Oxford who has started in her summer student role as Office Administrative Assistant. A second year Journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University, she is supporting both the Economic Development and Clerk’s Departments providing office support.
Her specific responsibilities include research for the Counties’ 175th Anniversary, agri-tourism and agri-food promotion, business directory updates, digital marketing content creation, and event assistance.
| | | |
Those who received an invitation, they have 14 days to gather and submit their documents, including the Employer Form, which is to be filled out by the employer.
Employers please ensure you use the most current version of the Employer Form. The document is to be completed digitally with a digital or hand-written signature. Reach out to Counties Economic Development Office at econdev@uclg.on.ca if you require additional support. Ministry Updates on the REDI program can be found here.
| | New Business Opportunity - Athens | |
The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is posting a Request for Information(RFI) for the creation of a café hub as part of its new G. Tackaberry and Family Home with 192 residents and 255 staff.
This opportunity could be of interest to entrepreneurs, commercial businesses, or non-profit groups with the appropriate licenses and insurance. Details of the RFI will be issued on June 13th with a submission deadline of July 18th at 3 p.m. local time. To receive information, interested parties must register with the Counties’ electronic bidding system at leedsgrenville.bidsandtenders.ca.
| |
G. Tackaberry and Family Home | | |
Thinking of starting or growing a business?
If you are self-driven, determined to succeed, are coachable and have a solid business idea, connect with the professionals at Leeds Grenville Small Business.
Identify marketplace opportunities, write an effective business plan, clarify government regulations, source licensing information and find financial support. Book a flexible and free 45 minute session today.
| | | Economic Development Leadership Award | |
Nominate a Leader in Your Community
Do you know a person who volunteers their time to help grow and develop your municipality's economic vitality or tourism appeal?
The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office is asking individuals, municipal councils and economic development committees to nominate candidates for the annual Bill Thake Memorial Award for Economic Development Leadership.
The award winner will be announced prior to the Economic Development Summit and will be officially honoured at the event on November 21st.
| | |
Before heading off for summer vacation, talk to your colleagues and community members about who is deserving of this award in your municipality. If you have someone in mind who is a resident within the 10-member municipalities of Leeds Grenville, consider putting their name forward. Connect with us at econdev@uclg.on.ca or call Shelbi McFarlane at 613-342-3840 ext. 5361.
For more information visit our Summit 2025 webpage.
The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 19th, at 4 p.m.
| | |
Dave Brown
2024 Thake Award Recipient
| | Canada-Ontario Job Grant Helps Train Your Staff | | |
Employers may be eligible for up to $10,000 per employee through the Canada-Ontario Job Grant. This program offers direct financial assistance to individual employers or groups of employers who are investing in short-term training for new or existing team members. It’s open to businesses of all sizes that are ready to upskill their workforce.
Leeds Grenville contacts:
Employment + Education Centre
Manny Dizwani, 613-498-2111 Ext. 374
CSE Consulting
Tracy McDonald, 613-258-6576
Keys Job Centre
Dana Betournay, 613-453-3923
| |
Ontario Together Trade Fund
The Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) provides financial support to help businesses near-term investments so they can serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains in the face of U.S. tariffs. Projects must address the impacts of U.S. trade disruptions and align with Ontario’s key economic priorities, including:
Trade diversity:
Diversifying sales portfolios:
- Expanding market reach to new markets, with a focus on interprovincial trade.
Trade security:
Enhancing competitiveness:
- Increasing manufacturing capacity and capabilities and increasing profitability through investments in advanced technology and innovative processes.
- Contributing to regional and sectoral ecosystems: Strengthening Ontario’s supply chains through reshoring and efforts to procure more equipment and supplies from Ontario and Canada.
- Creating and or retaining jobs
The types of support available includes funding and complementary supports and services.
Funding may be available to businesses operating within Ontario that meet the following requirements:
Make an investment to:
- enhance domestic competitiveness
- build capacity and local supply chain in Ontario, or reshoring
- pivot operations to manufacture less trade exposed goods
- create and/or secure jobs in Ontario
- other activities required to diversify revenue streams
Invest at least $200,000 in eligible project costs
Locate in a community in Ontario during the project period
Complete the project within 2 years
Demonstrate all financing will be in place by the project start date
A project is a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations and that will result in benefits to the organization such as access to new markets. Priority will be given to projects that aim to capitalize on domestic market opportunities and address gaps in Ontario’s supply chain caused by potential trade barriers and supply disruptions. Also if your business operates in a sector extensively targeted by U.S. tariffs or that you are pivoting operation to supply a customer looking to replace a current supplier due to tariffs.
Connect with Counties Economic Development if interested in applying via email at econdev@uclg.on.ca
Upcoming online Information Session held June 19 from 1-2 p.m.:
| | Leeds Grenville Asset Management Plan Survey | | | | |
Your voice matters! The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is seeking public input on their Asset Management Plan through a survey. Investing in the community's future but need your insights on roads, bridges, and more. Help determine the proper service levels and investments for a more sustainable future.
Survey closes June 30, 2025
| | | | |
An opportunity to own this 2,400 sq ft commercial space at 521 Prescott St in the heart of North Grenville. Zoned C1, it allows for a wide range of uses, including retail, professional services, artisan workshops, residential units, and more (subject to municipal approval). With three garage doors, a flexible layout, on a busy street, this property is ideal for entrepreneurs or investors looking to establish or expand in a growing community. This is a standout investment in North Grenville’s thriving commercial core.
View Map for 521 Prescott Street, Kemptville.
| | Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library | | LinkedIn Strategies for Building Business Connections | |
Unlock LinkedIn’s potential to grow your business. Make the most of a LinkedIn profile for networking, lead generation, and brand growth.
Learn about:
- Profile optimization
- Networking strategies
- Content creation
- Lead generation
- Paid options overview
- Staying active
When: June 16, 9-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
| | Boost Your Local Presence with Google Business | |
Harness the power of Google Business. This session will guide you through setting up, managing, and optimizing your profile to increase your visibility.
Learn about:
- Google Business Profile
- Setup and Verifying
- Reputation management
- Maximizing posts & photos
- Analytics & Insights
-
Actionable steps to stand out
When: June 23, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
| | Sustainable Business Summit: Reducing Emissions while Increasing Profits | |
A collaboration of Community Futures Grenville and the North Grenville Mayor's Taskforce for Clean Technology.
Learn about how small business in any sector can:
- adapt
- thrive
- and lead in a changing economy
When: June 26, 7:30-10 a.m.
Where: North Grenville Municipal Centre, 285 County Rd. 44, Kemptville
| | United Counties of Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office | | |
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 June 24th, 2025 edition should be received by June 16th.
- Submissions for the July 8th, 2025 edition should be received by June 30th.
| | |
SPECIAL MESSAGE:
-
The Leeds Grenville Economic Development business directory is in the public web domain. The Economic Development Office does not share or sell the directory to any resellers. Please be aware any email messages suggesting acquisition of the directory is not from the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Economic Development Office.
| | | | |
