ELIZABETHTOWN-KITLEY – Standing at the back of the 10-acre stone yard on County Road 29, north of Brockville, Stonemarx Masonry and Landscaping Supply owner Mark Bottigoni reflects on how far the business has come.

Stonemarx supplies the bricks, stones, blocks, adhesives, mortar, and tools used to create walls, slabs, pavers, steps, and curbs for both residential and commercial markets. The company carries major industry names including Brampton Brick, Permacon, Unilock and Oaks, while also adding newer lines such as Canada Brick and Arriscraft Brick to its offerings. Locally, the company has supplied materials for projects including two new apartment buildings at 42 Garden Street and 11 James Street in Brockville, and the new Swift Waters Elementary School.

The business continues to strengthen relationships across the construction and landscaping industries throughout Eastern Ontario. It has now been just over a year since Stonemarx relocated from its former location on County Road 2 beside his mother’s business, 1000 Islands Golf Centre, into the significantly larger property at 3007 County Road 29. The move created expansion opportunities for both family businesses.

Growth has come quickly. From Stonemarx’s original location, the business expanded into the Kingston market before purchasing the current stone yard. “It’s been a lot of expansion in a short amount of time,” Mark acknowledged.

With nearly three decades in the brick and stone supply industry, Mark began his career in Ottawa. “A colleague reminded me the other day to look back at where I began and realize that I now hold the reins to my own yard. It’s incredible,” he said. Today, he and his team carry that perspective forward as operations continue to evolve.

To support this continued growth, the company has invested in two new delivery trucks capable of servicing projects throughout the region year-round. “Getting the word out that we have made these improvements is one of the main strategies for us,” said Mark. “Marketing to customers that we have improved our customer service and increased the number of product lines makes Stonemarx the largest supplier in Leeds Grenville for landscapers and masons.”

What's next for Stonemarx? “We’re getting ready to update the south-facing exterior show space,” said Mark. “Stone from the displays will be removed and replaced with new, modern materials so we can have a finished exterior gallery that customers can see and feel,” he added.

“I’m inviting people to stop in and start the conversation about their projects. The Stonemarx goal is to be top of mind as they research suppliers,” said Mark. “Integrity is everything in this business; we’re not just brick and stone, we are a loyal and committed team from the beginning of a job through to the end.”

Join us for a session focused on upcoming government funding opportunities for business and how to position your organization for success.

Presenters attending the forum will provide direct insights into current and upcoming programs, including eligibility requirements, intake timelines, and key considerations for applicants.

These organizations are slated to present:

• Leeds Grenville Small Business
• Ministry of Rural Affairs
• Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
• Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
• FedDev Ontario

This session is designed for for-profit businesses looking to strengthen funding readiness and better align projects with government priorities.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from funders, ask questions, and gain practical guidance to support future applications.

Employers may be eligible for up to $10,000 per employee through the newly redesigned Ontario Job Grant (formerly the Canada-Ontario Job Grant). The program provides direct financial assistance to individual employers or groups of employers investing in short-term training for new or existing team members.

The Government of Ontario has relaunched the program with updated guidelines and eligibility requirements under the new Ontario Job Grant name. Businesses of all sizes looking to upskill their workforce are encouraged to explore the program.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is currently accepting applications directly from employers involving training for 25 or fewer participants through the online portal. The Ministry now directly administers agreements with employers applying for the program.

RV Business Changes Hands

After 30 years serving RV enthusiasts across Eastern Ontario, 1000 Islands RV is entering a new chapter with a rebrand to RV Canada 1000 Islands under the growing Leisure Days RV Group network. Founded in 1996, the Gananoque dealership has grown into a leading RV destination in the region. The transition brings expanded inventory and enhanced customer offerings while maintaining the local service and community connections built over three decades.

Loose Grip Loft Opens in Kemptville

The Loose Grip Loft is a new business offering hot yoga and social wellness in a newly opened studio space on the upper level at 29 Clothier Street East in Kemptville. Rooted in presence, connection, and self-trust, the studio offers movement and breath-based classes designed to help ease the weight of life’s expectations and release what no longer serves. With a welcoming “come as you are” approach, memberships are available. The space is designed to support both physical practice and a sense of community connection.

North Grenville Welcomes Nancy's Fabrics

A new creative business has officially opened its doors in downtown Kemptville, bringing fabrics, sewing supplies and inspiration to the local maker community. Nancy’s Fabrics recently celebrated its grand opening and is already building excitement among quilters, crafters and sewing enthusiasts. The new shop adds to Kemptville’s growing mix of locally owned specialty retailers and creative small businesses in the community. Find them at 31 Clothier St East.

Watercolour Wins National Award

Watercolour Westport by Land Ark Homes has won the CHBA National Award for Housing Excellence for Best Production Net Zero Home in Canada. The designer-furnished model home, located in the Village of Westport was chosen from entries by builders from across Canada. The home proves the attainability of a high-performance, fossil-fuel free home for any new home buyer. Every Watercolour home starts with the same high-performance Net Zero Ready certification.

Leeds Grenville Small Business services have expanded to support entrepreneurs and businesses across all thirteen municipalities. Businesses located in Kitley, Merrickville-Wolford, Rideau Lakes and Westport will now be part of the programs, resources and one-on-one support for consistency throughout the region as the Counties. The Small Business staff are part of the Counties Economic Development team that supports all businesses of various sizes from ideation to start-up and growth through to succession planning.

This versatile commercial retail property zoned C1 is ideally located along Highway 15 between Kingston and Smiths Falls. Situated on 1.15 acres with direct highway access, it offers approximately 3,200 sq. ft. of heated space, including offices, 1.5 washrooms, showroom, reception area, storage, and a 1,200 sq. ft. three-bay shop. Extensive upgrades include new propane furnaces, updated roofing, improved insulation, new lighting, and metal ceilings. A hoist and compressor are included, while the expansive paved parking area provides ample space for vehicles and equipment. A turnkey opportunity ready for a variety of commercial uses.

View map and tour for 3719 County Road 15.

Elevating the Tourism Experience

This practical, hands-on webinar, will introduce a simple but powerful formula to help tourism operators clearly articulate the value of their experiences. Whether you’re developing a new product, refining your marketing, or working with destination partners to host media or influencer visits, having a strong experience statement ensures your offering is communicated consistently and compellingly. The interactive session will break down what makes an experience meaningful, explore examples across different tourism sectors, and guide you through crafting your experience statement.

Learn to:

• Define your ideal visitor (“who”) with clarity
• Tap into emotional outcomes that drive travel decisions
• Identify what truly makes your experience unique
• Apply your statement across marketing, partnerships, and visitor interactions

Are you ready to take your business across the border and unlock new growth opportunities in the U.S. market? This highly regarded free webinar series is designed specifically for companies looking to successfully expand into the United States. The New Exporters to the Border States (NEBS) and New Exporters of Technologies and Services to the U.S. (NETSUS) with Do’s & Don'ts webinar series is where you'll learn directly from industry experts and gain up-to-date guidance tailored for Ontario manufacturers and service providers.

These engaging, expert-led sessions will equip you with practical, real-world knowledge to navigate the U.S. market with confidence. Whether you’re new to exporting or looking to refine your strategy, this series offers essential insights.