Economic Development eNews | September 16, 2025 | | Sharp Owners Making Their Mark with Laser Precision | | |
ATHENS-Ordering laser-engraved products online has never been easier. With over 1,300 five-star ratings, EPICut Inc. delivers high-quality, feel-good products that celebrate and recognize special people and occasions. “It’s amazing how deeply customers are impacted by our products,” said co-owner Sarah Benning.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a low-quality image can be transformed into a beautiful keepsake, the answer is yes. EPICut has the experience, know-how, and technical ability to breathe new life into your image, engraving it on a meaningful item to be cherished for years to come.
They carefully source high-quality supplies of metal, glass, wood, and acrylic to ensure laser-precise results. Popular items in their catalogue include wine, whiskey, and beer glasses, pet ID charms, and a new line of personalized trophies and plaques for sports and leisure, and career recognition awards. They are able to etch a large library of licensed family crests.
With a background in branding, co-owner Jay Brown saw the potential in laser engraving early on. Meanwhile, Sarah was working as a graphic designer. Together, they launched EPICut from their apartment in the GTA, laser-customizing steel drinking containers. “It was just after the pandemic began. There were absolutely no sales, nothing, but I had faith in the business," said Jay. It quickly went from can I do this to this worked out great.
Relocating to Athens gave them an affordable lifestyle and the space to expand, converting their garage into a fully functional etching workshop. Now in their seventh year, EPICut averages 50 to 60 orders per month, and much more during the holiday season. Sarah manages nearly every aspect of the process, from preparing artwork to ordering supplies and handling customer service while Jay handles the etching and maintenance.
“Our etching results are impressive because of Sarah’s keen eye for detail,” said Jay. What also sets them apart is the ease of ordering with no surprise art fees. Their design service is free, and for more complex images, cheerful estimates are provided.
“About 95 percent of orders come through digital channels, mainly Etsy. The website shop also carries some of our products,” Sarah explained. They gladly accept single-item orders and provide discounted rates for bulk purchases.
“We’ve seen the tide turn over the past nine months. A majority of our orders used to come from the U.S., but now are from Canada. That represents a 20 percent rise in Canadian orders,” said Jay who emphasizes the growing importance of buying Canadian.
With online ordering open 24/7, EPICut makes it easy to shop for personalized products anytime. Whether it’s a gift, award, or keepsake, Sarah and Jay are excited to help create your next engraved memory with precision and crafted to last.
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Photos: Top main, In their home-based shop, Jay Brown and Sarah Benning show a few sample products. Above, Quality etched trophies; drinkware honours loved ones and leaders, ID your pet with tags; Sarah and Jay working to design and etch an order.
LINKS
9 Henry Street, Athens
613-927-5706
Website | Email | Facebook | Instagram | Shop
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Brockville Welcomes Back Pita Pit
Freshly located at 7713 Kent Boulevard, Unit B, Pita Pit has returned to Brockville after closing it's location within the St. Lawrence College campus. Offering customized service-counter sandwiches, smoothies, and desserts, they highlight healthy eating options on their menu. Open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
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We want to hear from you! If you run a specialty food shop, operate a bakery or café that produces baked goods on-site, produce and serve craft beverages, or maintain a garden that draws visitors, you may be eligible to join the Adventures program. Participation is free, and your business will be featured in regional promotional materials.
Now in its fourth year, the Adventure series invites residents and visitors to discover the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways through its diverse food shops, bakeries, cafés, gardens, and artisanal wine, beer, and spirits producers - a true destination for food lovers.
Reach out today to Shelbi McFarlane, Business Development Officer to see if your business meets the criteria to be a part of the Adventures program.
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Racialized and Indigenous Grant
The racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) Grant Program is now open for applications. This grant provides access to business development training, culturally responsive and tailored business coaching, networking opportunities, and a one-time grant of $10,000 to support Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs.
Who is eligible?
- The business must be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency.
- The business must employ 1 to 10 full-time equivalent employees, including the business owner, or up to 25 employees for businesses in the Accommodation and Food Services sector.
- The owner of the business must be an Indigenous, Black or other racialized individual.
How does it work?
The program is self-paced and runs for approximately 8 weeks. Participants may continue to operate their business while participating in the program. Once admitted into the program, participants must complete the following activities within the program timelines to receive a $10,000 grant:
- Online business development training – minimum of 5 hours
- Business coaching including networking – 5 to 10 hours
- Business Action Plan
How do I apply?
Visit the RAISE grant program web portal for a full list of program requirements, eligible expenses and what you need to apply. Completed applications are processed on a first-come-first-served basis until the program's capacity is reached.
Call 1-888-975-5502, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST, excluding government and statutory holidays, or email raise@ontario.ca. Video Relay Service (VRS) for Deaf and hard of hearing persons is available at 437-538-4850.
| | Deadline October 1 at 5 p.m. EST. | | |
Regional Tariff Response Initiative
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to defend Canadian jobs, industries and supply chains. The RTRI provides support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) impacted by tariffs, strengthening the competitiveness of Canadian businesses by helping them boost productivity, cut costs, build more resilient supply chains and reach new markets. It equips SMEs, and the organizations that support them, to seize new opportunities, adapt to global trade disruptions, and boost domestic trade.
Funding:
- Businesses can request one of the following: $125,000 up to a maximum of $10 million in fully repayable financial support; OR Under $100,000 in non-repayable financial support. Total project costs must be a minimum of $125,000.
Eligibility:
- Be incorporated and registered to do business in Canada or Ontario for at least the past 3 years.
- Operate as a for-profit business.
- Employ a minimum of 5 full-time employees in southern Ontario and fewer than 500 full-time employees.
- Viable prior to the tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China, and prior to March 21, 2025.
- Have at least 25% of your sales in the markets targeted by the tariffs; OR
- Demonstrate that it has been directly affected by ongoing trade disruptions, including U.S. and China tariffs or Canadian countermeasures.
Eligible Projects:
The RTRI supports businesses and sectors impacted by tariffs through projects that can be executed in the timeframe of this initiative (March 2025 to March 2028), by:
- Helping businesses undertake projects to boost productivity, enhance competitiveness and reduce costs to mitigate tariff impacts; and
- Enabling greater resiliency among Canadian businesses through more robust domestic supply chains, enhanced internal trade, market diversification, and future-proofing operations.
Note: Additional support is available to businesses in the steel and automotive sectors.
Visit the program webpage or for more information email info@feddevontario.gc.ca
| | * For more on funding, visit the Leeds Grenville Economic Development funding resources page. To receive advice on whether your business could qualify, email Shelbi McFarlane, Business Development Officer or call her at 613-342-3840 x 5361. | | Digital & AI Adoption For The Future: Registration Open | | Be part of an energizing evening with Leeds Grenville Small Business. Digital & AI Adoption for the Future is this year's Bridges to Better Business theme. Discover how digital tools and AI are reshaping the future of business, learn directly from industry leaders and connect with fellow entrepreneurs. Walk away with fresh insights and practical strategies you can use immediately to accelerate your business's success. | | | | |
Presenters to be followed by a delicious working dinner; the evening will also feature the Starter Company Plus Graduation and the following awards:
- Leeds Grenville Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year
- Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year
- Inclusive Employer of the Year
For sponsorship opportunities contact Carol Hardy via email.
When: Thursday, October 23, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Joshua Bates Centre, 1 Main Street, Athens
Cost: $69
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Karin Rabuka,
Past Entrepreneur of the Year
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Andrea Khanjin
Minister of Red Tape Reduction
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Breakfast with Minister of Red Tape Reduction
Join Leeds Grenville Economic Development and the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce as they kick off Small Business Month this fall with Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark and the Honourable Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Red Tape Reduction.
The breakfast meeting will feature:
- Local update from MPP Steve Clark
- Keynote address by the Honourable Andrea Khanjin
When: October 1, 8-10 a.m.
Where: Brockville Country Club
Cost: $40 Chamber Members
$50 Non-Members
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Over 25,000 vehicles pass this exceptional 4-acre commercial property daily, featuring versatile buildings and a 2-year-old showroom space. The showroom offers high ceilings, abundant natural light, glazed overhead doors, oversized rear access, a mezzanine, five offices, two washrooms, two kitchenettes, and utility areas, all in excellent condition ready for immediate use. The property includes a maintenance building with reception and large workshop, plus another cement-slab building with ten 8-ft garage doors (20 x 12 ft interior). Strong infrastructure, move-in-ready facilities, and prime exposure make this a valuable opportunity.
View map for 663 Stewart Boulevard in Brockville.
| | Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library | |
REDI Employer Session
Leeds Grenville employers who are hiring or have an immigrant worker
are encouraged to join an upcoming virtual information session. Recent changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) mean that applications for the REDI program are now employer-led, requiring businesses to initiate the process through the new Employer Portal.
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When: Tuesday, September 23 at 8:30am
To register and receive the Zoom meeting link email Shelbi McFarlane, shelbi.mcfarlane@uclg.on.ca
before Friday, September 19 at 4 p.m.
| | The Foodpreneur Advantage Program is a new small business resource for individuals looking to start or expand a food or beverage manufacturing business producing consumer packaged goods (CPG). The program provides introductory expert-led training sessions and industry insights to help navigate getting started or expanding into new product lines. This series of workshops are held four times a year. | | |
When:
Sept 18: Food Safety Fundamentals for Start-Ups
Sept 25: Labelling & Packaging Your Food Product
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
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The Benefits of Short Form Video
This session will give you the strategies and inspiration to start creating compelling short videos that actually work.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why short-form video works
- Platforms: YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook
- Content That Converts
- Simple Creation Tools
- Success Metrics
When: September 23
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
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What Even is ChatGPT? Seminar Series
You've heard the buzz. If you're still wondering what ChatGPT actually is (and whether it can do more than spit out robotic replies), you're in the right place. Walk through what ChatGPT is, how it works, and why it might just be the surprisingly helpful assistant your tourism business didn’t know it needed.
Upcoming Seminars in this series:
- Oct. 22 Prompting 101
- Nov. 27 Marketing Magic: Content in Half the Time
- Dec.16 Plan it Like You Mean It
- Jan. 27 Teamwork & Tools: AI in Collaboration
- Feb. 17 Putting It All Together
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When: September 23
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
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Employment Standards Act - What Employers Need to Know
Review and discuss the major standards of the act, the responsibilities of an employer, and the role of an Employment Standards Officer in an Employment Standards investigation and/or inspection.
Some of the topics covered will include:
- minimum wage -termination of employment
- hours of work limits
- leaves of absence
- vacation
- public holiday
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When: October 6
Time: 9:30-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
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| 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 September 30th, 2025 edition should be received by September 22nd.
- Submissions for the October 14th, 2025 edition should be received by October 6th.
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SPECIAL MESSAGE:
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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.
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