August 2025

Economic News in Thunder Bay

Plan to Attend CEN CAN 2025!

Northern Ontario’s premier mining and energy event is back!

Join industry professionals, innovators, and leaders for two action-packed days of:

🔧 Live equipment demonstrations

🎤 Expert-led presentations

💼 A regional job fair

🏢 300+ industry exhibits

📍Fort William Gardens, Thunder Bay

📅 September 10–11, 2025

Don’t miss this key opportunity to connect, collaborate, and explore the future of resource development in our region.

CEDC Welcomes Family Medicine Residents to Thunder Bay

On Thursday, July 24th, the CEDC had the pleasure of hosting family medicine residents alongside local physicians and clinic representatives — all of whom play a vital role in strengthening our community’s healthcare system.

The event focused on building meaningful connections between future physicians and Thunder Bay’s medical community. It was an opportunity to highlight not only our region’s professional opportunities but also the lifestyle, natural beauty, and welcoming spirit that make Thunder Bay such a great place to live and practice.

We’re proud to support the next generation of healthcare professionals and showcase all that our community has to offer.

Thunder Bay Lifestyle is Growing — Look Out for Us Around Town!

We’re excited to share that @ThunderBayLifestyle is expanding — with new signage now featured at the Thunder Bay International Airport!✈️

As our presence grows, we’re continuing our mission to highlight the people, places, and experiences that make Thunder Bay an incredible place to live, work, invest, and learn.

Whether you're a local business, event, or experience looking for more exposure — we want to hear from you!

Let’s inspire others to explore and celebrate everything our community has to offer. Keep an eye out for us around town — we’re just getting started!

Bridge to Opportunity: CEDC Gathers Major Employers to Focus on Engaging and Retaining Local Post-Secondary Talent

The Thunder Bay CEDC welcomed major employers for the second Community Communications and Workforce Development meeting of 2025, centered around the theme “Bridge to Opportunity: Engaging & Retaining Local Post-Secondary Talent.”

The session explored strategies to better connect local students and recent graduates with long-term career opportunities in Thunder Bay. Meaningful dialogue focused on collaboration between employers, post-secondary institutions, and the broader community to strengthen retention efforts and support the development of a skilled, local workforce.

🚨 Extended Deadline – Apply Now 🚨

This is your chance to help shape the future of tourism in Thunder Bay!

The Thunder Bay CEDC is seeking one new voting member to join the Tourism Investment Committee (TIC) as our Event or Marketing Sector Representative.

Do you have experience planning or hosting events, or designing and delivering marketing campaigns? This is your opportunity to support strategic tourism investments that:

⭐ Increase overnight visitation

⭐ Elevate Thunder Bay’s appeal as a tourist destination

⭐ Extend the length of visitor stays

⭐ Enhance event hosting and bidding opportunities

⭐ Support new visitor experience development

⭐ Communicate the importance of the tourism industry within the City of Thunder Bay

The Tourism Investment Committee collaborates with the CEDC as an independent decision-making body to consider, evaluate, and render decisions with respect to CEDC Tourism Development Fund.

What is involved?

✔ Monthly meetings (2^nd Wednesday morning of each month)

✔ Participate in occasional special meetings

If you are interested in putting your vision, talents, and skills to work in supporting the tourism industry in Thunder Bay, we want to hear from you!

Mine Service and Supply Directory

Join the Mining Service & Supply Directory! Connect your Thunder Bay business with mining companies in Northwestern Ontario.

Leverage the region’s rich mining resources and unlock new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Get listed today and be a part of the comprehensive resource that drives success in the mining industry.

Small Business Spotlight

Meet Priscilla Omoruyi, owner of Avriscilla, a vibrant tailoring and fashion business rooted in passion and cultural pride.

Avriscilla was born out of Priscilla ‘s childhood love for fashion—what began as making dresses for her dolls using her mother’s fabrics has grown into a full-fledged business. With her mother’s encouragement, Priscilla began sewing lessons in 2013 and went on to attend fashion school in 2015.

The business officially launched in 2017 in Nigeria, and after moving to Canada in 2021 as an international student, Priscilla brought Avriscilla with her. She started small, offering tailoring services from her bedroom in Thunder Bay. As word spread, so did her business.

Today, Avriscilla offers seamless, professional tailoring services including:

• Alterations
• Bridal dresses
• Bespoke tailoring
• Curtains and household décor

Alongside these services, Priscilla is also passionate about showcasing the vibrant colors, textures, and traditions of African fashion. Her vision is to continue growing Avriscilla—blending cultural expression with high-quality craftsmanship, and sharing that beauty with the Thunder Bay community and beyond.

Thunder Bay CEDC is shining a spotlight on our incredible local and regional entrepreneurs! 

Join us as we highlight Indigenous businesses, small enterprises, and mining service & supply providers. Click the buttons below to showcase your business and be part of our spotlight initiative!

Small Business News in Thunder Bay

Miinikaanan Badakidoon Grant Program - Applications are now OPEN!

Are you an Indigenous entrepreneur in Thunder Bay or Northwestern Ontario looking to start, expand, or purchase a business? The Miinikaanan Badakidoon program—meaning “to plant the seeds” in Anishnaawbe (Lake Nipigon dialect)—is designed to support your entrepreneurial journey.

What’s Included:

📚 Business training sessions

📝 Support to complete a business plan and financial projections

💰 Opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $5,000

🤝 3-month mentorship for grant recipients

Participants work closely with a Program Coordinator to build a strong business foundation. After completing a business plan, they can apply for funding, with successful applicants receiving both financial support and dedicated mentorship.

Don’t miss your opportunity to grow your business!

Celebrate Small Business week by attending Small Business Solutions Summit!

Join for the Small Business Solutions Summit is back on October 22, 2025, with a full day of inspiration, practical strategies, and powerful connections for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

We’re thrilled to announce:

Keynote: POSSIBILITY EXECUTED™ — Determining the Future of Your Organization in an Age of Uncertainty

Globally recognized Innovation & Mental Health Speaker Cherry Rose Tan will deliver a transformative keynote on building resilient organizations that win and last.

Session 2: Scaling Smart — Preparing Entrepreneurs for Investment

Join Suzanne Tighe (PARO), Ian Lane (Northern Ontario Angels), and Kirk Petroski (SYMX.ai) for a fireside chat on investor-readiness strategies and capital raising insights for entrepreneurs ready to scale.

👉 More sessions will be announced soon!

Digital Marketing Support Program for Local Entrepreneurs

The Thunder Bay CEDC and District Entrepreneur Centre have launched Thrive Online — a free digital marketing support program designed to empower small businesses across the region.

Participants receive one-on-one support from local marketing professionals, covering key areas like:

✨ Website management & e-commerce setup

✨ Branding & graphic design

✨ Social media & email marketing

✨ Google Business Profile optimization

Whether it’s launching a new business or refining an existing strategy, Thrive Online delivers personalized, expert guidance — all at no cost.

Learn more and take your digital presence to the next level with Thrive Online.⁠

Free, Confidential Support for Business Transition Planning



Succession Pathways is a free advisory program offering confidential support to Northern Ontario businesses preparing for leadership or ownership transitions.

Designed to simplify the succession planning process, the program includes:

✅ Expert one-on-one consultations

✅ Personalized transition reports

✅ Optional follow-up sessions

✅ 100% confidentiality guaranteed

Whether planning for retirement or future growth, Succession Pathways provides the tools and guidance to help secure the next chapter of your business.

Tourism News in Thunder Bay

Last Chance for OTS25 Advance Rate Registration

Have you locked in your spot for OTS25 yet?

Summer Heat pricing starts August 5—secure your advance rate now for Ontario’s award-winning tourism conference, happening October 28–29 in Ottawa.

Two days of expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, and industry insights await, all built around this year’s theme: Building Your Business, Living Abundantly, and Collaboration!

Join Thunder Bay’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Business Directory

Are you a 2SLGBTQIA+ owned business? Do you have a 2SLGBTQIA+ staff member and are an ally? Do you own a business and are a 2SLGBTQIA+ ally?

Tourism Thunder Bay, in partnership with Thunder Pride, is creating a 2SLGBTQIA+ business directory to aid in welcoming visiting 2SLGBTQIA+members to Thunder Bay.

Contact Karen Martin at karen.martin@thunderbay.ca to have your business listed.

Webinar Wednesday: Pipeline Power: Using CRM to Future-Proof Your Business & Forecast Growth

August 20 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Are you relying on guesswork to understand your business traction or plan for growth?

In this interactive session, Irene Saliendra—digital strategist and founder of DigitalFlow Consultancy—will guide you through the power of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems in building a reliable sales pipeline, improving your forecasting, and staying on top of your business performance. We’ll break down how CRM tools can help early-stage founders, consultants, and small business owners confidently manage leads, track meaningful metrics, and automate key touchpoints—without needing to be a tech expert. 

Key Takeaways

• Learn how to structure a CRM system that fits your business model and sales cycle
• Understand the anatomy of a strong sales pipeline—and how to build one
• Discover which metrics matter for forecasting and decision-making
• Explore automation tips to save time and stay consistent with follow-ups
• Walk away with a CRM setup checklist and pipeline template to get started

Now Accepting Applications: OUT For Business Mentorship Program for 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurs

OUT For Business is Canada’s only national mentorship program dedicated to supporting 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs — helping build a stronger, more inclusive business community for the future.

This 10-month program connects emerging entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders for one-on-one and group mentoring. It’s a valuable opportunity to grow your business, expand your network, and gain guidance from those who’ve been there.

Entrepreneurs and mentors from all backgrounds are welcome, with a special focus on those with intersecting identities.

Upcoming tourism initiatives proudly supported by the Tourism Development Fund🌟

Northshore Dog Club Dog Show 2025

The North Shore Dog Club is back in Thunder Bay from Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10, 2025 — and it's going to be paws-itively amazing!

Whether you're a seasoned handler or just love seeing incredible dogs in action, this event is a must-see for all ages.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Event Dates: August 8–10, 2025

Don’t miss out on a weekend full of wagging tails, top-tier competition, and community fun!

Sleeping Giant XTERRA Off Road Triathlon

Get ready to push your limits at the Sleeping Giant XTERRA — Thunder Bay’s ultimate off-road triathlon happening August 10 at Boulevard Lake!

Swim, bike, and run your way through rugged terrain and stunning scenery in this adrenaline-filled race that attracts athletes from across the region. Whether you're competing or cheering from the sidelines, it’s an event you won’t want to miss!

Boulevard Lake, Thunder Bay

Saturday, August 10, 2025

Challenge yourself. Embrace the wild. Experience XTERRA!

XCM National Mountain Bike Championship 2025

Get ready for an adrenaline-filled day as Thunder Bay hosts the Canadian National Championships – XCM 2025 on Saturday, August 23!

This one-day event will bring together the nation’s best cross-country mountain bikers to compete for the national title — showcasing elite endurance, technical skill, and pure grit on a challenging course set against Thunder Bay’s rugged landscape.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

August 23, 2025

Whether you're a cycling fan or just love high-energy outdoor events, this is one you won’t want to miss!

Bring Your Festival to Thunder Bay!

Planning a festival or cultural event? Funding is available to help bring your vision to life! Whether it's music, art, food, or cultural celebrations, this is your chance to create an unforgettable experience in Thunder Bay. Apply now!

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