Economic Development eNews | September 29, 2026 | | |
Photos: Main - Greg Stainton and Kate Huntington in their flower garden.
Above from top: meeting up on the pig walks; tiny pumpkins are ready for purchase in the Farm Store; theMarket Gardener podcast feature Greg and Kate; freshly made bratwurst and Octoberfest sausages, pork chops and roasts available in the freezer; their Animal Adventures flag signals your arrival.
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ELIZABETHTOWN-KITLEY – What began seven years ago as a family's effort to reduce the environmental impact of food cultivation has grown into a diversified organic farm business for Greg Stainton and Kate Huntington and their sons, Isaac and Vince.
Harmony Farm produces pasture-raised pork and eggs, live-cultured kombucha, and organic fruits and vegetables. They sell their produce at markets in Brockville and Ottawa as well as their popular artisan wood-fired pizzas in an array of delicious ingredient combinations, and live-cultured kombucha in flavours like strawberry-mint-tulsi and marigold-apple-fig leaf.
To serve customers more conveniently, they recently opened a Farm Store on their property. In the store, customers can book a tour of the farm, including their Pig Walks, and purchase seasonal produce, frozen sausages, pork cuts, freshly made kombucha and products from fellow farms.
Greg is particularly proud of the pork they produce. “It’s a high quality, better tasting, pasture raised product, and I'd like to sell more. It rivals imported products including European-style pork,” he says. “Once people taste it, they instantly convert. It's because the animals are free to roam over multiple acres, eat clean and pig-out on apples and other tasty food. This makes the taste seasonally unique.”
“The perception is that our products are more expensive,” says Greg. He underscores that producing food locally has benefits that far outweigh the actual costs and impact of mass-production farming and shipping food worldwide. “We need to help educate people about this.”
Changing weather conditions, including swings from too wet to too dry, have created challenges for farmers, forcing them to explore less traditional, more creative ways of generating revenue. For the 2027 season, Harmony Farm is moving to a subscription-based selling model.
Greg and Kate have formed a group of fellow farmers and will offer a unique year-round CSA membership program next season. Orders can be picked up at the store, at markets or delivered to your doorstep. Customers can order locally produced eggs, meats, cheese, baked goods, produce and beverages. “Each order is ‘right-sized’ so there’s as little waste as possible,” says Kate.
Increasing marketing efforts is on their wish list, but time is limited for these entrepreneurs. “We are so thankful to be included in the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways Animal Adventures. With the help of programs offered by Leeds Grenville Economic Development and Tourism, and RTO 9’s marketing, it’s opened doors and increased visits to our farm with our Pig Walks,” says Greg.
“As for support, the community of local farmers and neighbours have been wonderful. We've also accessed the Employment and Education Centre to assist us with hiring and taken advantage of the Canada Summer Jobs program for summer help. Last year, Harmony Farm was highlighted as a produce supplier of choice in ‘The French Country Kitchen,’ a television production featuring Cynthia Peters of Maison Maitland.”
Harmony Farm’s approach is rooted in why Greg and Kate began farming. “We started out motivated to do something to mitigate the fast-changing environment and support a healthy lifestyle. We continue to learn ways to align our farming practices with these goals every day.”
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Celebrate Small Business Week with an evening focused on Grit, Growth and Greatness – the Small Business Success Forum empowers entrepreneurs to rise above obstacles, embrace growth and achieve greatness.
Highlights include:
- Free professional headshot (Must register ahead of event, limited spaces available)
- Free digital marketing advertising assessment
- An interactive grit wall
- Networking and presentations with an interactive Q &A
- Panelists include Annie Ly (Owner of Ofelia’s Café & Market), Barry Moss (Owner of 401 Electric) and Mariam Hussain (BDC Senior Account Manager)
- A catered dinner and cash bar featuring Arbru Brewery
- Awards celebrating outstanding businesses and the Starter Company Plus graduation
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Featured Speaker: Mariam Hussain
Mariam Hussain is a Senior Account Manager with BDC, supporting entrepreneurs across Eastern Ontario with financing and growth strategies. She is passionate about helping business owners navigate opportunities and challenges at every stage of their journey. Mariam is a director of the Grenville Community Futures Board. She is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and strengthening local business communities.
| | Economic Development Summit | | |
The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office, in partnership with Michael Barrett, M.P., Steve Clark, M.P.P., the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation, CF Grenville, Valley Heartland CFDC, and the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board, invites you to the region’s premier economic development event.
Rick Tachuk, President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham Canada) will be one of the presenters at the Summit. Rick represents major U.S. and Canadian companies on cross-border trade and investment issues.
Over his 30-year career, Rick has held a number of executive positions including with the U.S. Commercial Service as the U.S. International Trade Administration’s Senior Commercial Representative in Canada. Here he was responsible for export and investment promotion and trade policy. In the private sector he served as President and CEO of DCI Enable, a publicly traded Canadian E-business firm and President and CEO of the Technology Professionals Canada
He is also the Founder and President of Electric Strategies, Inc., an Ottawa-based public affairs agency specializing in cross-border issues management. Rick currently serves on the North Grenville CEDAC advisory committee, the advisory board of Hire Immigrants Ottawa and is Vice Chair of Grenville Community Futures.
Additional speakers will be announced in the next eNewsletter edition.
WHEN: Friday, November 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
WHERE: North Grenville Municipal Centre,
285 County Road 44, Kemptville
COST: $65 (Advance Registration Required)
| | Rick Tachuk, President, American Chamber of Commerce in Canada | |
Registration is now open, with limited tickets available. Learn more and register by visiting the Invest Summit webpage.
| | Your Input is Needed - 2026 Business Survey is Now Open! | | |
Leaders from Municipal Economic Development Offices, Chambers of Commerce, Employment Services, Community Futures Development Corporations, Small Business Enterprise Centres, Business Improvement Areas and local business support organizations are once again collaborating with all levels of government to assess the state of the local economy and support businesses in Leeds Grenville.
As a business leader or owner, your input is critical to understanding how local businesses are performing, the implications of the U.S. trade war, and the support businesses need today and for future planning. The survey also provides an opportunity to request specific assistance.
Take a few minutes to complete the Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes Business Survey.
| | Cedar Valley Golf and Country Club Business of the Year | | |
Local business contributions and achievements were celebrated on September 25 as the Elizabethtown-Kitley Township Economic Development Committee hosted its annual breakfast.
A round of applause congratulated Cedar Valley Golf and Country Club owner Rick Carr of as he humbly accepted the award, noting how much the business has grown over his 23 years at the helm. He underscored his appreciation for his supportive staff, some of whom have been there throughout the journey.
The Elizabethtown-Kitley annual Business of the Year Award recognizes a local enterprise that continues to make a positive impact through outstanding customer service, community involvement, innovation, business excellence or other contributions that help make the township a great place to live, work and invest. The award highlights the important role businesses play in the local economy and community.
Other nominees were Pilatzke Plumbing Services and G.C. Hudson Supply.
| | Elizabethtown-Kitley Mayor Brant Burrow stands beside Business of the Year recipient Rick Carr of Cedar Valley Golf and Country Club on the business's patio. | Guest speaker David Beatty, Owner and Chair of the Board of Canarm Ltd. and Vice Chair of the St. Lawrence Corridor Economic Development Corporation, underscored Canada's commitment to maintaining resilience during challenging economic times and readiness to align with the shifting world order. He highlighted how each of us, big and small, can make positive impacts through our decisions and actions. | | Leeds Grenville Provided OINP Nomination Spaces | | |
The 2025 Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) program was a resounding success in Leeds Grenville, with 45 employers in the region receiving provincial nominations for over 140 full time, permanent workers – a key milestone on their pathway to permanent residency. This marks a meaningful step towards strengthening the local labour force.
While not selected to participate in the 2026 REDI program, the Counties have been provided 25 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) nomination spaces in 2026 in recognition of the region’s demonstrated need and ongoing efforts to attract and retain skilled newcomers. The nominations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Employers looking to attract and retain talent through immigration are encouraged to review the Ontario Workforce Priority stream criteria to confirm eligibility and learn more about the application process on the OINP website.
Contact econdev@uclg.on.ca to speak with staff about this and other employer immigration resources.
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Yazdani Celebrates 25 Years
Yazdani Family Dentistry celebrated 25 years of serving the North Grenville community. The business held a free family-friendly Y2K-themed anniversary event on September 19. The milestone marked the clinic’s years of dental care and community involvement. The event brought patients, families and residents together for an afternoon of fun that featured live music, games and activities along with a fundraising BBQ hosted by the Oxford Mills Girl Guide Group.
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North Grenville Welcomes Raven's Candy
Raven’s Candy Shoppe and Odditorium celebrated its grand opening in Kemptville with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 5th. Located at 126 Prescott Street, the new shop offers a nostalgic and colourful candy experience featuring homemade fresh fudge, candy, ice cream, popcorn, drinks, nachos, and gourmet dipped apples. Owners invite you to drop in and satisfy your sweet tooth. Open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
| | | Seeking New Businesses for Tourism Initiative | |
Do you have a business or experience that could be a great fit for the Adventures?
We want to hear from you!
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We’re looking for new businesses and sites across Leeds Grenville that fit into our Tourism Adventures program:
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Foodie Shops focusing on unique, specialty or locally made food products
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Fresh Baked businesses that offer on-site made and in-house baked goods
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Fresh Baked Cafés offering coffee, beverages and Leeds Grenville made or on-site baked goods
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Bottle & Barrel producers of craft beer, cider, wine or spirits
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Gardens that are open to visitors and offer a unique garden experience
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Animal Adventures offering visitors the opportunity to connect with, learn about or experience animals
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The Adventures Program encourages residents and visitors to explore more of the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways region by discovering unique local businesses and experiences. Participating businesses are featured in regional tourism marketing, including the Adventures map and brochure, website, social media and other promotional opportunities.
Think your business might be a fit? Reach out to us to find out! Participation is based on specific program criteria, so businesses are asked to contact us first to determine whether they meet the requirements before being considered.
Email Shelbi McFarlane,
Business Development Officer
| | Expanded Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) | | |
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) has been bolstered with an additional $1.5 billion investment. This will help support 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.
Key enhancements
The opportunity to apply for up to 12 months of liquidity assistance, pivot project funding, or both.
- A business may receive up to a maximum of $3 million in combined non-repayable funding, consisting of up to $2 million in liquidity assistance and up to $1 million for a non-repayable pivot project.
- A business may receive up to a maximum of $20 million in total RTRI funding when repayable support is included. This maximum could include non-repayable liquidity assistance, up to $2 million.
RTRI supports:
- Adopting new technology through digitization & automation
- Expanding exports and diversifying markets
- Optimizing supply chains
- Reshoring production and R&D
- Recruiting specialized talent and expertise
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To be eligible, your business must:
- be an incorporated for-profit business located and operating in southern Ontario
- have a minimum of $1 million in annual revenue in one or both of your company’s last two fiscal years
- have been viable prior to tariffs
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In addition, your business must demonstrate that it has been affected by ongoing trade disruptions, including U.S. tariffs, Canadian countermeasures or countervailing duties. This could be demonstrated if your business:
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operates in a sector impacted by Section 338 or Section 232 tariffs or operates in another impacted sector
- has at least 25% or more revenue coming from goods that are ultimately exported to the U.S.
- has experienced significant cost increases where tariffs have raised the price of goods and materials needed for production; supply chain disruption; or loss of revenue or customers
For more information email info@feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
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The Leeds Grenville’s Greatest Entrepreneur initiative showcases the region’s most innovative small business owners and their ideas. Open to businesses in the service areas of the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation and Community Futures Grenville, this premier business pitch competition offers expert coaching, valuable networking, and the chance to present your vision.
Finalists will compete for a generous prize package at the high-energy gala event in February 2027 with support from local business and community leaders who contribute to the prize fund. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain visibility, grow your business, and inspire the community.
Application Deadline: October 14 at 12 noon.
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RTO 9 Cycling Survey
The 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways / Leeds Grenville Economic Development are currently working with RTO 9, the Regional Tourism Organization for South Eastern Ontario, as they develop a Cycling Tourism Strategy.
RTO 9 wants your input on how to make South Eastern Ontario a better cycling destination! Please share your feedback through our short survey:
Submission deadline October 12th.
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The former TD bank building in Delta is available for rent.
Approximatley 24’ by 24’ in size. Electric heat and air conditioning.
$800/month plus hydro and septic pumping
(2000 gallon holding tank, about $300/year).
Main space, restroom and office all on main level. No stairs. Commercial Zoning.
Grass cutting contract is $40 per cut.
Snow removal is provided.
Contact owner:
Paul Henderson
613-928-2750 (home)
613-498-4351 (cell)
dph.moe@gmail.com
| | Workshops, Seminars and Webinar Library | | Introduction to AI for Small Business Marketing | | Curious about AI but not sure how to use it in your marketing? This free introductory workshop will show you practical ways AI can help make marketing your small business easier and more effective. Learn how to use AI tools to generate ideas, create and improve content, save time, and support your day-to-day marketing efforts without needing to be a tech expert. | | |
North Grenville
Date: October 5, Time: 5-6:30 p.m.
Where: Grenville Mutual Insurance, 380 Colonnade Drive, Kemptville, in the Spencerville Community Room
Cost: Free
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Front of Yonge
Date: November 4, Time: 5-6:30 p.m.
Where: Front of Yonge Community Centre, 76 County Road 5, Mallorytown
Cost: Free
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Perfect for small business owners who are new to AI or want to learn how to use it more effectively.
Spaces are limited, save your seat!
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| Sharpen Your Knowledge With Foodpreneur | | The Foodpreneur Advantage Program is a small business resource for food enthusiasts. It's for individuals looking to start or expand a food or beverage manufacturing business producing consumer packaged goods. The program provides introductory one-hour expert-led training sessions and industry insights to help navigate getting started or expanding into new product lines. Take as many of these courses as you wish; if you miss one, pick up where you left off in the following round. | | | | |
Second Fall Session
October 29: Starting a Food Business and Regulatory Compliance
November 5: How to Sell Your Food Product
November 12: Costing, Pricing and Unit Economics
November 19: Branding & Marketing Your Food Product
November 26: Food Safety Fundamentals for Founders
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When: Thursdays
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
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Hosting Influencers & Media:
A Guide for Tourism Operators
When destination partners or Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) bring influencers or media to your region, tourism operators play a key role in delivering a seamless and memorable experience. Join this session to help you understand what to expect—and what’s expected of you—when participating in coordinated influencer and media visits.
Designed for businesses participating in hosted experiences, this webinar will walk through how these partnerships work, including how influencers and media are selected, how itineraries are developed, and how operators are invited to take part.
Participants will gain practical guidance on how to prepare for and support these visits, from providing exceptional service and hosting experiences to assisting with bookings, timing, and communication. Hosted by RTO9 and Attractions Ontario.
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When: October 15
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
| | United Counties of Leeds and 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 October 13 edition should be received by October 5.
- Submissions for the October 27 edition should be received by October 19.
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