Halton Hills Custom Furniture Business Awarded Starter Company Plus Grant

Photo credit: Allison Clark Photography

Longtime Halton Hills resident Craig Totten has taken his passion for woodworking and launched a business venture that delivers one-of-a-kind custom solid wood furnishings and cabinetry. In the early years of the pandemic, Craig started making raised garden items as a side project out of his home. He approached nearby garden centers to gauge demand and received an instant purchase order. Craig then realized this woodworking hobby could potentially transition into a full-scale business. N44 Studio was formally established in 2023.

When Craig was looking to build out the business, he connected with the team at the Halton Region Small Business Centre to learn about the basics of business planning. He was encouraged to explore Starter Company Plus, a program that assists entrepreneurs looking to build their small businesses, providing training, mentoring, and an opportunity to compete in a pitch competition to be awarded a $5,000 grant. Craig participated in the Starter Company Plus Pitch Competition in early January 2024 and was awarded one of five $5,000 grants out of a cohort of 10 businesses from across Halton Region.

52 Futura Drive, Halton Hills | Unique Industrial Facility Ideal for Owner-User

Photo credit: Panattoni Development Company Canada

Panattoni Development Company Canada is nearing completion of their state-of-the-art industrial facility located in Halton Hills’ urban community of Acton, ON. The 141,000 Sq. Ft. class “A” industrial development is zoned to permit outside storage and provides users with premium features, resulting in increased building functionality, cost savings, and energy efficiencies. 

Key benefits of the development include: 

• 40’ clear height resulting in cubic efficiencies
• Dual entry access resulting in optimized traffic flow 
• Potential for a two storey office, maximizing warehouse space 
• Potential to demise to accommodate a variety of users

With a unique mix of both urban and rural areas, Halton Hills maintains a “small-town feel” despite its central location and proximity to Toronto. Well-positioned for excellent access to North America’s major markets. 

• 90-minute drive to 3 U.S. border crossings
• 40-minute drive to Canada’s largest international airport (Toronto Pearson Airport)
• 60-minute drive to Ontario’s largest port (Port of Hamilton)
• 2 Class 1 railways (Canadian Pacific & Canadian National Railway)
• 1,500km of 400-series highways

Make Halton Hills your new home to do business! To learn more about this property and others available, contact the Town's Economic Development team - [email protected]

Local Business Celebrates Milestone

My Main Street is Back

Applications are now open for My Main Street, a $15-million Government of Canada investment, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, to continue to support main street businesses and communities across southern Ontario.

My Main Street is being delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) offering two streams that are currently open for applicants.

The Business Sustainability stream provides up to $20,000 directly to businesses for productivity enhancements.

The Community Activator stream funds up to $250,000 for high-impact community placemaking projects.

Interested in applying? Register for one of the virtual information session on February 29 or March 1, 4 or 5.

Halton Region Workshops & Programs

Bicycle-Friendly Certification Program - Webinar

On Tuesday, March 26 at 10 a.m., Ontario By Bike in partnership with Halton Region is hosting a free webinar to raise awareness of the bicycle friendly business certification program and provide information on how to tap into the growing market of cycle tourism.

With an increasing popularity in local cycle tourism activities, now more than ever is a great time to get updated on the program, familiarize yourself with cycle tourism in our region, and find out how welcoming cyclists can be good for business. 

Starter Company Plus Program - Spring Cohort



Are you starting or growing a business? Halton's Starter Company Plus program provides mentoring, training and an opportunity to pitch for a $5,000 grant.

Attend one of the mandatory information sessions (March 26/27) to learn more and apply.

Agri-Business Funding Opportunities

Halton Region

Business Conditions Survey Results

Digital Digest: Content Calendars

for Social Media Planning

Take the guesswork out of your day-to-day business marketing efforts by utilizing a social media calendar to ensure you are staying consistent on your social channels. Check out the latest edition of the Digital Digest to explore the benefits of using this tactic in your marketing strategy. 

Halton Hills Economic Development Services

The Town of Halton Hills Economic Development division, Invest Halton Hills, provides a full suite of high-quality services and supports to the business community that in turn foster a prosperous economy and enhance quality of life.

Invest Halton Hills supports and services include:

• Financial incentives via the Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
• Business retention and expansion (BR&E) programming
• Investment attraction, expansion, and relocation
• Business concierge service
• Site selection assistance
• Market research
• Industry engagement
• Workforce development
• Supporting and advancing affordable housing projects and initiatives
• Amplifying tourism’s economic benefits

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