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Watergirl Quilt Co. owner Michelle Peters is picture in her store, located at 235 Water Street in the Downtown Prescott RiverWalk District. | Downtown Prescott is a Destination for Artisans, Crafters, and Makers | |
Downtown Prescott is becoming a destination for artisans, crafters, and makers, with new and long-standing businesses both providing the supplies they need and offering an opportunity to market their creations to both local shoppers and tourists.
In 2019, crafters' co-op Quality Creations faced an uncertain future with the closing of the 1000 Islands Mall in Brockville. Without a location, Lead Committee Member Jeanne Fox-Dibble was looking for somewhere that would allow the co-op to reach new customers and continue to provide a year-round market for their vendors. Fox-Dibble found that and more in their 278 King Street West location in the Downtown Prescott RiverWalk District.
"Downtown Prescott was welcoming and inclusive," said Fox-Dibble, "we immediately felt involved, both through our interactions with other businesses and through the support of the Town's Shop Local campaigns."
Presently hosting 47 local artisans plus 11 youth crafters, 3 fundraisers, and 18 vendors taking part through a collaboration with Developmental Services, Quality Creations features regular and seasonal vendor rotation to ensure there's always something new in store.
Quality Creations is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm. They are also a vendor at the Prescott Farmers' and Crafters' Market from May to October.
|  | Jeanne Fox-Dibble, Lead Committee Member of crafters' co-op Quality Creations, pictured in their Downtown Prescott location. | |
If you travel south to 235 Water Street West you'll find Watergirl Quilt Co. Founded in 2020 by Michelle Peters, Watergirl has built a national and international following in the quilting community, with frequent online livestreams from the store, in-person classes and, coming in 2024, a Watergirl Quilt Co. Alaskan cruise.
"I love to partner with other businesses and charitable organizations in the community," said Peters, whose business distinctions so far include recognition by Canada Post, as well as frequent appearances in the ByAnnie.com Local Quilt Shop contest, including winning the 2023 Regional Favourite Quilt Shop award for Ontario. You can vote for Watergirl Quilt Co. in the 2024 contest by clicking here.
You can visit Watergirl Quilt Co. from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and shop online at www.WatergirlQuiltCo.com.
| Catherine Byrne has operated A Craft Boutique in Downtown Prescott for 19 years. | |
19 years ago, Catherine Byrne started A Craft Boutique with partners she had worked with at a previous fabric store in Prescott. In her small shop, located at 130 King Street West, you can find yarn in dozens of colours, paints, and sewing supplies along with works by local artisans.
While the Covid-19 pandemic slowed traffic to her business, 2023 brought a return of visitors to her store and, she found, locals rediscovering her business.
"I have people coming in, especially during the summer, saying 'I didn't know you were here'", said Byrne, "a lot of them become regular customers."
Byrne loves the atmosphere in Downtown Prescott, mentioning stopping every Saturday at Prescott Farmers' and Crafters' Market vendor Ocean Blooms Florals and Art, a Prescott home-based business, to purchase three flowers.
A Craft Boutique is open Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm, and Saturdays 10 am to 3 pm.
|  | Belinda Ballentine and George Martin, owners of Best of Farmers' Market , in their Multi-Vendor Market located in the Downtown Prescott RiverWalk District. | |
Belinda Ballentine and George Martin opened Prescott's newest craft destination, Best of Farmers' Market, in May of 2023. Located at 183 King Street West and operating as a multi-vendor retailer, the space has been constantly re-invented with new additions and fixtures to provide a traditional retail shopping environment.
With the helped of the South Grenville Digital Service Squad and Digital Main Street, Best of Farmers' Market has also invested in new technology to help manage vendor inventory and sales, and process payments.
Best of Farmers' Market is open Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm.
Prescott's artisan and crafter community also goes far beyond the RiverWalk District borders, with long-standing Uptown Business Your Family Dollar (profiled in our September Newsletter), and home-based businesses such as Una's Angels of Love, B's Bubbles, Power of Three Candles, and Dannielle's Plants and Upcycled, who can be found throughout the Tourism season at events like the Prescott Farmers' and Crafters' Market and others throughout the area.
Home-based businesses located in Prescott are encouraged to complete our Business Directory registration form to be included in our Town of Prescott Business Directory.
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Digital Transformation Grant 4.0 Closed, but Other Digital Main Street Programs Still Available | | |
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The latest round of Digital Transformation Grant (DTG) closed for applications on January 31, marking the end of the third round of direct-to-business DTG funding since the launch of South Grenville Digital Main Street in 2020.
Funded through the current round by the Province of Ontario, the Digital Transformation Grant provides $2,500 to qualifying small businesses to help them build their digital footprint and integrate new technology into their operations.
Since October 2020, 41 Digital Transformation Grants have been distributed to Prescott businesses, totaling $102,500 in direct investment.
South Grenville Digital Main Street continues to offer the Digital Service Squad program, which provides direct one-on-one support to local businesses to help improve their online presence and generate new sales.
To learn more and take advantage of other grants and programs that Digital Main Street has to offer contact Taylor at [email protected] or visit www.digitalmainstreet.ca.
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Signs of the CIP Incentive Program's Investment in Our Community | |
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For over a decade, Leeds Grenville Small Business has passionately celebrated International Women's Day, shining a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of women in business within our region.
Join them on March 7th from 3:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the North Grenville Municipal Centre for a day of empowerment, innovation, and celebration of women in business.
Event Features:
- Business Showcase
- Local Business Panel featuring Nicole Hudson of Downtown Prescott's Katarina's Coffee Shop
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Dinner provided by Catered Affairs
- Entertainment - Birds of a Feather - John Wilberforce & Kelly Latimer
- Networking
- Door Prizes and more!
Tickets: $99
Final Registration Date: February 28th, 2024
Tickets Available Here
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FREE DIGITAL CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
StrikeUP Canada is Canada’s flagship digital conference convening women entrepreneurs and the women entrepreneurship ecosystem, with a united vision of equity and inclusive economic growth through entrepreneurship.
Founded by Northumberland CFDC and presented in partnership with The Scotiabank Women Initiative®, Export Development Canada and MNP, and offered FREE OF CHARGE to participants, StrikeUP reflects the diversity and ambition of Canada’s women entrepreneurs as an accessible, free and world-class program focused on growth, funding, digital adoption and global opportunities.
Click here to learn more or register for free
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2024 Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands-Rideau Lakes Business Survey
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 working together and collaborating with all levels of government to support businesses in Leeds Grenville.
Please take the time to complete this short survey. Your input is critical in gaining a stronger understanding of how our local economy is doing and what support you need today and in the future.
The survey will be open until March 10, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Click Here to Complete Survey
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Town of Prescott Community Grants Intake #1 NOW OPEN!
Applications are due on February 29, 2024 at 3 p.m.
Funds must be spent by December 31, 2024
Support not-for-profit and volunteer-driven organizations serving Town residents through limited financial support, user fee reductions, and/or in-kind supports. The Town of Prescott provides these grants in order to assist groups with the delivery of services which reduce social, economic, cultural, or physical disadvantage, and/or improve the quality of life for residents.
Apply here
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Sponsorship and Advertising Opportunities | |
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Canine Watersports Canada is returning to Prescott from June 29 to July 1 for the Make a Splash on Canada Day event at the Prescott Pop-Ups and sponsorship opportunities are available!
Sponsorship Benefits include:
- Positive & Fun Environment
- Family Oriented
- Targets Animal Lovers and Sports Enthusiasts Alike
- Multimedia Opportunities
- Emcee Announcements
- Product Displays
- Banner Display
- Broad Demographics: Parents, Grandparents, Children, Teenagers
- Website/Social Media Opportunities
To Learn More, Download their Sponsor Information Package Here.
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Is your business interested in supporting a community event while gaining exposure at a prominent local attraction?
Town of Prescott Community Services & Recreation is seeking sponsors for free Public Skating sessions at the Alaine Chartrand Community Centre.
Your logo would appear on the arena's CCTV during the event, and your sponsorship would be acknowledged on social media.
Interested? Contact Samantha at [email protected]
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Advertising Opportunities at the Alaine Chartrand Community Centre | |
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Advertising Opportunities are available at a variety of price points at Prescott's new Alaine Chartrand Community Centre, including board and wall signage.
For more information, contact Dana Valentyne at [email protected].
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Pop-Ups Applications are Now Available
Applications are now being accepted for Retail Cottage and Food Truck Pop-Ups for the 2024 Prescott Pop-Ups season. Pop-Ups and Food Truck spaces are available on a weekly, monthly, and seasonal basis starting Victoria Day weekend.
Applications can be completed here.
Learn more about becoming a Prescott Pop-Ups vendor by visiting the Pop-Ups website.
Please review the 2024 Prescott Pop-Ups Vendor Guide prior to completing your application.
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"Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people."
Join the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival for a celebratory evening of cocktails, live music, and hors d'oeuvres in support of our upcoming season.
Bid on the silent and live auctions and get to know our new Artistic Directors, including a sneak peek at the incredible cast joining us this summer!
Come out and crush a cup with the St. Lawrence Shakespeare team in anticipation and celebration of the upcoming Festival season!
$45.00 per person / Cash Bar
Tickets Available Here
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For more information on Tourism programs and events in Prescott, follow #ExplorePrescottON on social media, visit our website, or contact us. | | |
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The LG Small Business & Trade Show is returning to the Leo Boivin Community Centre this March as the 2023 Prescott & Area Spring Home & Trade Show.
Presented by Ontario Approved Professionals with a focus on small business and trades, the show will feature a maximum of four vendors per trade/profession.
The deadline to register is March 1st, 2024.
To learn more about registration and potential sponsorship opportunities, visit their website at Ontario Approved Events (oapevents.ca).
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This Month at CSE Consulting | |
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Looking for your next career opportunity?
Or are you an employer struggling to find employees going into the spring rush?
Get connected with employers and job opportunities on the spot at the CSE Consulting Spring Job Fair, Tuesday, February 27th at the Leo Boivin Community Centre, 12PM to 3:30PM.
Bring your resume and apply for multiple different positions from local employers.
For more information please call 613-925-0222
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Fort Welling National Historic Site is currently hiring for summer student and full time positions!
For those interested in 2024 Seasonal Summer Student positions, please see the information in the above image and email your resume to [email protected].
For more information and to apply to the Heritage Presenter position, visit this website.
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NOW HIRING: The Town of Prescott is pleased to invite individuals to join our municipal team through a variety of summer employment opportunities!
Resumes can be submitted via email, clearly indicating the applicant’s name and position applied for in the subject line, to: [email protected] by Friday, March 8, 2024, at 4 p.m.
Visit our website for more details.
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Do you have an upcoming Business Event or Workshop you would like included in our newsletter? Contact us, we would love to include it! | |
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Eastern Ontario Development Fund
The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario. The objective of the program is to provide financial support and services to help growing companies in eastern Ontario make investments to grow their business and create new, sustainable jobs.
A project is a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations, that will result in benefits to the organization such as business growth or access to new markets.
To be eligible, businesses need to:
- have at least 3 years of operations/financial statements
- employ at least 10 people (or 5 if you are in rural Ontario)
- commit to creating at least 5 new jobs (or 30% increase for companies with fewer than 15 employees)
- invest at least $500,000 in their project (or $200,000 if you are in rural Ontario)
- be located in, or plan to locate in, a community in eastern Ontario
Funding amount
Up to 15% of eligible project costs.
Loans
Up to 15% funding to a maximum of $5M, interest free during the project period (up to 4 years). If you achieve your investment and job targets, up to 30% of the loan (to a maximum of $500,000) may be forgiven.
Grants
Grants are available only for specific circumstances, up to 15% to a maximum:
- Of $500,000 if your company has fewer than 100 employees and is based in rural Ontario (population of your community is less than 100,000 or population density is less than 100 people per square kilometre)
- Of $1,500,000 for strategic projects that are foreign direct investments or from companies competing against other jurisdictions (in limited circumstances)
To Learn More, Visit the Eastern Ontario Development Fund website.
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Tourism Growth Program in Southern Ontario
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) provides $108 million over 3 years to support communities, small- and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences.
The program, funded through FedDev Ontario, provides up to the lesser of $250,000 or 50% funding per project as an interest-free loan, with repayment beginning one year after project completion.
Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants include:
- incorporated small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the tourism industry
- Indigenous-owned businesses (including Indigenous sole proprietors) or Indigenous tourism organizations
- not-for-profit organizations (including tourism associations and economic development organizations)
- governments (municipal/provincial/territorial and related entities)
Eligible activities
Eligible projects should provide added value to existing activities in the tourism industry and focus on business and economic growth. Priority may be given to projects that:
- support the Indigenous tourism industry
- increase tourism benefits for communities by driving visitation from urban areas to rural areas
- support economic, environmental and cultural sustainability
- support active outdoor experiences
- extend the tourism season (e.g., new or expanded tourism offerings outside of the traditional high season)
- complement support provided through provincial programs
To Learn More, Visit the Tourism Growth Program website.
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The Grenville Community Futures Initiative provides non-repayable funding to support community economic development projects up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $3,000. Eligible Applicants include Not for profit organizations, Business Improvement Areas, and Municipalities located within or comprising Grenville County.
For full eligibility requirements, click here.
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Free online small business courses for Ontario entrepreneurs!
Small Business Centres Ontario offers a free e-learning series for entrepreneurs, with courses focused on every stage of business from concept to growth.
Always available, these courses offer an opportunity to gain new insight at your own pace, when time allows.
To Learn More, Visit their website here.
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This free guide from BDC will help you discover how to boost the sales of your business. This guide will help you assess, optimize and digitize your sales process.
Download Here
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Published by Canadian Manufacturing and Plant Magazine, the 2024 Advanced Manufacturing Outlook Report analyzes trends related to Industry 4.0 Adoption.
Download Here
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Other Funding & Business Support Programs
Rock My Business 3-part Workshop
Are you an entrepreneur looking to transform your idea into a thriving business or grow your newly launched small business? Register today for this free, virtual, three-part series, presented by Futurpreneur and RBC Future Launch. The series provides you with the tools to develop your idea, formalize your business plan and create a viable cashflow—all while connecting you with fellow entrepreneurs across Canada. Learn More Here.
Launch Lab Amplify Program
Launch Lab’s Amplify program accelerates innovative companies selling into business-to-business or business-to-consumer markets regionally, nationally or internationally. As an intensive, personalized 6-month program, participants work with Launch Lab’s Advisors to create a growth plan, designed to address specific growth challenges. Learn More Here.
Ontario Centre of Innovation - Digitalization Competence Centre
The Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC) is Ontario’s knowledge centre focused on driving the digital modernization of Ontario's small businesses, with two program streams available to support small businesses. The Digital Modernization and Adoption Stream (DMAP), which supports Ontario small businesses to better understand their organization’s technology needs, and the Technology Demonstration Program Stream, which supports Ontario small businesses that have completed a DMAP project. Learn More Here
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Ongoing Public Funding Sources | |
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Grenville CFDC is a community-based not-for-profit funded by the Federal Government to provide business loans and advice in Grenville County, including Prescott.
Learn More.
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The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is a Crown Corporation that offers loans, capital investments, and advice to Canada's Small- and Medium- Sized Businesses.
Learn More.
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Export Development Canada (EDC) is a Crown Corporation offering advice, financial solutions, equity, insurance, and connections for export-oriented businesses to help them navigate foreign markets.
Learn More.
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Town of Prescott Economic Development
CONNECT WITH US
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Town of Prescott Economic Development & Tourism Department Staff | | | | |
