Happy New Year, South Glengarry!

In the final months of 2025, we worked with 25 local entrepreneurs and business owners, including 14 who were planning to launch a new business, 10 who had expansion plans, and 1 who was exploring a business purchase. This week, we spoke with two more entrepreneurs planning to open their business here by Spring.

While 2025 brought uncertainty and challenges, local trends and provincial data show strong resilience and positive momentum. Many of our businesses prospered, and we anticipate continued growth in 2026.

We’re here to promote local businesses, celebrate milestone achievements, encourage growth, and support business continuance and transition to keep our community strong.

Here's to continued excellence in 2026!

Attention Home-Based Business Owners...

We're looking for home-based businesses in South Glengarry to feature in our Wednesday Support Local Spotlights.

Recognizing that home-based businesses can benefit from increased visibility and awareness, we invite owners to reach out to be featured in an upcoming post!

Are you leveraging SDG Counties Tourism Tools?

SDG Counties leads tourism promotion and visitor attraction efforts across our region. If your business benefits from visitor traffic, it's worth getting familiar with their marketing tools and making sure you're taking full advantage of them.

• Winter Adventures in SDG Counties guide. “Winter in SDG Counties is anything but quiet. When the snow falls, our region transforms into a playground of glowing lights, forest trails, frozen waterways, and small-town winter magic”. Learn More

• Visit the SDG Counties' Tourism website to see if your business is listed! An easy way to ensure visitors can find you year-round.



• Expand your reach. The 2025 Cornwall and SDG Counties Visitor Guide offers inspiration for advertising and promotion, featuring everything from fairs to local u-pick farms. More than 60,000 print copies are distributed in Ontario, Quebec, and Upstate New York.

The Cornwall Chamber and the Cornwall Construction Association Partner to Host Networking Event

Escape the winter and connect with the local business community at a vibrant networking night hosted at Viva Cancun. Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine, a relaxed and energetic atmosphere, and the chance to meet fellow entrepreneurs and community leaders.



The evening will also include Chamber updates and opportunities to build meaningful professional connections — all in a warm, welcoming setting.


Details | Register

Marketing Opportunity for Food and Beverage Processors

The Ontario East Economic Development Commission (Ontario East) is offering local food and beverage processors an opportunity to attend upcoming national trade shows at no charge.



1)  Restaurants Canada foodservice trade event on Sunday, March 8 to Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Mississauga.

2)  SIAL Canada’s international tradeshow focuses on the food businesses from packaged products to new technology, being held from Wednesday, April 29 to Friday, May 1, 2026, in Montreal

Application Deadline: January 17, 2026

Please read the eligibility requirements carefully.

Apply for the Restaurants Canada 2026 Show

Apply for the SIAL Canada 2026 Show

Business Sisters’ Business Planning Retreat 2026

Step away from the day-to-day and give yourself the gift of clarity. This full-day planning retreat is designed for women entrepreneurs who want to intentionally shape their business in 2026.

Through guided reflection, thoughtful conversation, and practical planning, you’ll define your vision, identify the support you need, and build a flexible, real-life roadmap you can follow. 

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm


Cost: $249.00

Details | Register

SDG Counties’ Regional Incentives Program – Opening Soon

Eligible projects can receive up to 50% matching grants to a maximum of $50,000. If you have a business project planned during the next 12 months that will:

• Establish or expand agri-business or agri-tourism,
• Redevelop existing building stock and reduce vacant commercial, institutional or industrial buildings to increase the tax base or
• Increase the amount of permanent roofed accommodations for tourism

Reach out to discuss your project! The application period typically opens in February for one month only.

Tel: 613-347-1166 ext. 2106 | Email: jtreverton@southglengarry.com

Cornwall Tourism Development Fund Accepts Applications from SDG Counties' Businesses

Funding is available for events, tournaments, conferences, and new or enhanced tourism businesses and assets that attract visitors to the area and drive increased overnight stays in Cornwall.

Apply for up to $25,000 in funding!

Application deadlines:

Feb. 27, 2026 (Projects schedule for April - June 30)

May 29, 2026 (Projects scheduled for July - September 30)

Details | Apply

New! Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant Deadlines for 2026

The grant application deadlines for the 2026-2027 granting period have been posted online. Discover this year's application periods for the Seed, Grow, Capital, and Youth Opportunities Fund grants.

Details

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF)

Supports growing businesses to expand, innovate, access new markets, and create new full-time jobs.

Who is eligible?

Rural Eastern Ontario businesses with at least 5 employees investing a minimum of $200,000 with 3+ years of operation and financial statements

How much funding is available?

• Loans: Up to 15% of eligible costs (max $5M), interest-free for up to 4 years; up to 30% may be forgiven if targets are met
• Grants: Up to 15%, capped at $500K–$1.5M (in limited cases)

Now Accepting Applications



Learn More | Email: Denis Lapierre, Senior Business Advisor with MEDJCT

Regional Incentive Tariff Initiative

The $1-billion RTRI helps businesses overcome trade disruptions and includes support for businesses across all sectors, including in the steel and automotive industries. It invests in targeted, time-sensitive activities that boost productivity, lower costs, strengthen supply chain resilience, and open doors to new markets, enhancing overall competitiveness.

Who is eligible?

Businesses in southern Ontario that are incorporated and have at least 5 full-time employees.

How much funding is available?

• $125,000 to $10 million in repayable funding; or
• $125,000 to $1 million in non-repayable funding

Now Accepting Applications

Learn More | Apply

Regional Defence Tariff Initiative

RDII supports time-limited projects (April 2025–March 2029) that help businesses strengthen Canada’s defence industrial base by enhancing innovation, productivity, and supply chain readiness. The program helps businesses enter domestic and international defence supply chains, expand capacity, and support regional economic development through investments in technology, equipment, certifications, market expansion, facility upgrades, and late-stage R&D, including dual-use civilian and military applications.

Who is eligible?

Businesses in southern Ontario that are incorporated and have at least 5 full-time employees + 3 years of financial statements.

How much funding is available?

• A minimum of $125,000 to $10 million in repayable funding

Now Accepting Applications

Apply by January 21 for projects starting before March 31, 2026. Thereafter, applications will be accepted until funding is fully committed.

Learn More | Apply

Rural Ontario Development Program (ROD) Guidelines

This cost-share program is designed to stimulate rural business growth, including projects that:

• Address barriers to economic development
• Build capacity to attract, retain, and expand businesses
• Better position rural businesses to attract or retain investment
• Support jobs being attracted and retained in rural businesses

Who is eligible?

Businesses located in Rural Ontario (including South Glengarry) with plans to grow their business or enter new markets (under the Market Diversification or Product Diversification category.

How much funding is available?

You may qualify for a 35% cost-share up to $10,000



Application Period: January 19 to February 26, 2026 

Questions? Email: RODprogram@ontario.ca