Your quarterly connection to business news in Orangeville |
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Terry O'Reilly presents Jump the Fence on October 14 |
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Terry O’Reilly, marketing guru and host of CBC Radio Program ‘Under The Influence’ will join the Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) for a special virtual presentation on Thursday, October 14.
With a resume that is deep-rooted in marketing, his professional experience spans decades in the advertising industry. He has produced award-winning work for several Toronto advertising firms and created campaigns for many top brands, including Tim Hortons, Molson, Pepsi USA, Volkswagen, and more.
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Terry speaks frequently to companies and organizations on the power of marketing. A passionate and humorous presenter, his talks inspire, entertain, and provide practical lessons to audience members hoping to find affordable ways to improve their marketing impact.
This virtual presentation is about creative problem solving and will show business owners how to apply creative thinking to solve marketing problems, where to find strategic insights, and why it's critical to go against conventional wisdom. Terry will share remarkable stories of how organizations used counterintuitive thinking to achieve outstanding results. All they did was ‘jump the fence’ in their thinking.
The online event will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. and the $20 registration fee includes a $20 voucher to use at a participating restaurant in downtown Orangeville. Please register by Tuesday, October 12 to reserve your spot.
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Nominees announced for the 2021 Arts and Culture Awards |
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Every year, the Town of Orangeville's Arts and Culture Awards recognize individuals, businesses and organizations who contribute to arts and culture in our community. This year, an impressive list of 32 nominees will be honoured with a pre-recorded virtual presentation on Thursday, October 7 at 7 p.m.
Winners will be announced in eight award categories, with judging completed by an experienced independent panel from outside Dufferin County.
The event can be viewed online on the Town of Orangeville’s YouTube channel and on the Facebook page for the Economic Development & Culture office.
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Employment resources are available for local businesses |
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The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted labour markets across multiple sectors. As restrictions continue to be rolled back and economic growth gains momentum, labour shortages are being identified by a number of local businesses. Fortunately, within Dufferin County there are several employment resources and programs available to employers which include:
The Town of Orangeville’s Economic Development & Culture/SBEC office is available to support our community during COVID-19 with expert advice and guidance on the various programs and supports for your business. Find more information online at www.orangeville.ca/covid19-business/ or contact us at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2286.
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Virtual Economic Outlook Summit
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The annual Economic Outlook Summit will be held on Tuesday, November 2. Presented in a virtual format, this year’s event will feature a keynote address by James Marple, Managing Director and Senior Economist with TD Bank Group. Mr. Marple leads a team of economists to provide a wide scope of research, covering North America and the global economy. The keynote address will include an analysis of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on international, national, and local economies and the financial markets.
Attendees will also hear from local restaurateur Perry Meeker of The Hatter. Perry will share his experiences of managing a hospitality business during the COVID-19 pandemic, the strategies and program supports that he implemented to remain viable, and how he has adapted to succeed as we move towards pandemic recovery. Perry will share some of the tools and practices he has implemented to re-build his business - information that many entrepreneurs may also be able to apply to their own ventures.
The 2021 Economic Outlook Summit is presented in partnership with TD Bank Group. Registration is now open for this free online event.
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New business registration system launches October 19 |
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Ontario’s Business Registry system is being overhauled and replaced with a new modern online service that will make it easier, simpler, and more affordable for millions of businesses and not-for-profit corporations to interact with the government.
For the first time ever, people across the province will have immediate access to 90 government services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including registering a new business, dissolving an existing one, and annual return filings. Registrations or filings that previously took weeks to complete by mail or fax, can now be done instantly through the online registry. When online transactions are completed, users will receive automatic email notices with electronic attachments instead of paper documents.
At the same time, the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, 2010 will be enacted. This legislation will significantly reduce the bureaucratic burden on not-for-profit corporations and make it easier for them to access an online government system for registrations and filings, reducing duplication of paperwork, saving them time, and allowing them to focus more on serving our communities.
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Changes to location rules open up Digital Main Street grants to more small businesses
The Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre has announced that once again, the Digital Main Street Ontario Grants Program is open and now accepting applications from small businesses across Dufferin County to help improve their online capabilities. The program aims to help small businesses increase their online presence and incorporate digital technologies to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
This is the third time the Digital Main Street program has been offered in Orangeville and area. A major change to the Digital Transformation Grant from previous years is the new location criteria. Commercial small businesses no longer need to be part of a main street area to qualify, opening up the grant to hundreds of additional businesses across the County.
The Digital Transformation Grant portal is now open to receive applications from eligible small businesses and will close on October 31st, 2021, or when grant funds have been exhausted.
It is free to apply and the process is simple:
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Register your business at digitalmainstreet.ca/ontariogrants/ and complete the digital assessment.
- Pass the pre-qualification quiz, complete the 2.5 hours of online training, and develop your Digital Transformation Plan.
- Apply for a $2,500 grant.
To learn more about the Digital Transformation Grant program, business eligibility, and the application process visit digitalmainstreet.ca or contact Christine Hann, Digital Services Co-ordinator at the Town of Orangeville by email (chann@orangeville.ca) or phone (519-939-8106).
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Learn online with free webinars offered by Orangeville & Area SBEC
Visit our online event calendar to find a variety of webinars hosted by local experts and qualified partners. These free events offer access to valuable knowledge to help small business owners.
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Thursday, October 21
12 to 1:30 p.m.
No cost
Digital marketing is a powerful tool that can help you communicate with your customers and create lasting relationships with them. This interactive webinar from Green Monkey Creative will discuss how incorporating multiple methods of digital marketing is one of the most effective ways to keep your customers engaged. You’ll learn to apply it to your website, social media accounts, and email campaigns. You'll also discover how to approach online reviews and other efficient marketing tools.
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Wednesday, October 27
12 to 1 p.m.
No cost
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will provide business owners with an overview of their legal responsibilities under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
Attendees will learn about their roles and responsibilities as employers, who is required to register with WSIB and how to register, calculation of rates, how to file a claim, the mandatory coverage rules in the construction industry, and more.
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Art with Jada - Inspiring a love of the arts in an approachable way
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It can be said that experiences pave the way to success and in Jada Milne-Doucette’s case that certainly rings true. From the time she could hold a pencil, this talented entrepreneur felt a calling to the arts. Jada started her career as a graphic designer in the printing and promotion industry while pursuing her passion as a freelance artist part-time - working on commissioned pieces which included portraits, murals, signs, and custom art. Then, a little over a decade ago, Jada came to the realization that in order to continue to grow she needed to shift her focus. “I don’t think there’s anything out there that I haven’t printed on, drawn on, or painted on,” says Jada. “I was trying to take lessons and I realized that I was at the point in my career where I needed to learn from teaching. The amount that I’ve grown in the past twelve years is beyond what I could have gained from being a student.”
After two years of teaching, Jada was ready to take another step forward. Her business, Art with Jada, was founded in 2011 and over the years it has expanded from operating out of a shared space in the Old Mill Hub to her own unit within the mall. Jada’s services have been so in demand that she has expanded her studio space twice. While the timing of her most recent expansion coincided with the province-wide COVID-19 lockdown, Jada didn’t let that slow her down. She pivoted her business model to offer online classes and workshops and continued growing.
Always seeking ways to improve and expand her venture, Jada’s recent participation in the Digital Mainstreet Program enabled her to increase her online presence. Armed with digital training and a $2,500 grant, Jada was able to update her equipment, create a YouTube presence, and purchase professionally created social media advertisements. And she continues to find opportunities for diversification with plans to add a retail space, subscription boxes, e-commerce, and a new website by the end of the year.
Jada attributes much of her business success to her ability to make the arts approachable. “We find a way to bring the joy of art to everybody,” she says. Throughout the year, Jada and her talented team offer paint nights and parties, youth classes and workshops, that aim to make the experience fun and relaxing. Private lessons are also available for students interested in learning fundamental art techniques or enhancing their portfolios. “Everyone has an inner artist in them,” says Jada. “Helping people realize that they can appreciate the arts no matter their age or ability is a rewarding experience.”
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The Town of Orangeville extends a warm welcome to these new businesses: |
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Congratulations to local businesses celebrating milestones: |
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Shannon Steel Inc. is celebrating its 45th anniversary of operating in Orangeville. The structural steel fabricator has been in business for a total of 57 years.
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Hi-Quality Carbide Tooling Inc. has operated in Orangeville for 15 years. Located on 15 Stewart Court, the manufacturer of carbide precision parts and dies has been in business for 41 years.
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For lease: 229 Broadway
Approximately 2,000 sq. ft. of prestige office
or medical retail space located in Orangeville’s downtown core. The rental unit is located on Broadway, near First St, and zoned CBD
(Central Business District) which allows for multiple uses. Ample parking is available on the property.
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Please contact Shane Mullin, Sales Representative,
Mullin Group Royal LePage RCR at 519-216-6569.
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Business Connections is published quarterly by the Town of Orangeville's Economic Development & Culture office.
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