Economic Development and Tourism News |
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Entrepreneurs take advantage of free skills development training |
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Join the other 48 entrepreneurs who have already signed up for one of our Business Foundations workshops. On July 12 at 6 p.m., Adriana Carlin will be hosting the third workshop, Effective HR Practices. She will share methods and practices to recruit the right talent to help your business grow and prosper.
Business Foundations by York University’s YSpace, in partnership with the Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury, is a weekly educational workshop series designed to help you kick-start your entrepreneurial career or challenge you to rethink your business.
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Jackson's Point replica lighthouses splash colour and pride in downtowns |
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Within the next couple of weeks, two-foot Jackson's Point replica lighthouses will be hung throughout Georgina's historic main streets in Jackson's Point, Keswick, Sutton and Pefferlaw. The public art and civic pride initiative began in early June with the first of several workshops held at the Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture in Sutton and Artistic Approach Studio in Keswick. Free to the public, residents over the age of five were invited to let their creativity and civic pride shine.
By mid-July, 100 replica lighthouses will be installed throughout the Town bringing a splash of colour, beautification and pride to Georgina's downtowns. This initiative follows the Town's 2021 public art program, where local artists submitted artwork to be displayed on banner flags.
"These initiatives are intended to not only beautify our historic main streets but to instill pride within our community, reminding us as to why we choose to live work and play in Georgina," said Karyn Stone, manager of Economic Development and Tourism. " We look forward to continuing these initiatives."
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Tips to promote your tourism business or event |
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It can be overwhelming at times for tourism businesses and event organizers to know what resources are available to help promote their business and events to a wider market. A tourism business includes many businesses such as hotels and resorts (accommodations), restaurants (food and beverage), art galleries and cinemas (entertainment), boutique shops and more. It is essentially any business that a visitor would access during a short-term or long-term stay. In our blog, we've compiled a list of valuable resources you can take advantage of to increase your business or event exposure. |
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Doing business in a designated Business Improvement Area (BIA) in Georgina |
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Georgina has three Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) with locations in Jackson’s Point (est. 1992), Keswick (est. 2014) and Sutton (est. 1995), representing more than 150 storefront businesses. Since 2015, the Town of Georgina has offered grants to businesses through the Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which includes streams to enhance facade, landscaping, accessibility, heritage building improvements and most recently, COVID-19 streams. More than $730K has been invested into the BIAs, with $152,663 in funding provided through the Economic Development and Tourism office. Learn more about doing business in these designated areas and how the Town supports them.
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New Keswick residents and business owners found an opportunity in Georgina |
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It took 10 years for Ali to convince his wife, Sweeta they should make the move north from Richmond Hill to Georgina. Unwilling to give up the conveniences, family and life they had built, now that they’ve made the move, Sweeta doesn’t know what took her so long. She’s even convinced some of her family to move up here as well.
“I love Georgina, and I love Keswick. A large population of people from the Persian and Muslim communities have moved up here recently, and it is becoming a lot more diverse. Georgina offers more space and fewer people but still has plenty of things to do. And, of course, the lake. I noticed a gap in the market for Middle Eastern foods, halal meat and groceries, so we thought, why don’t we provide that here," said Ali.
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Town of Georgina support programs
The Town's business support programs include grants, a development application fee rebate and a patio program. Learn more.
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Entrepreneurship programs
The Town of Georgina and the Town of East Gwillimbury are continuing a partnership with York University’s YSpace to deliver a two-year Business Incubator/Accelerator pilot project to support entrepreneurs and economic growth during the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Learn more and register.
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Digital support and transformation grant
Digital Main Street programs support small businesses looking to sell online or enhance their digital technology. Learn more.
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Online resources for businesses in York Region
Online business resources include a new easy-to-use collection of links on business licensing, taxes, market research and more. The page also includes information on community assets within York Region. From maker spaces helping create product prototypes to business incubators providing support and guidance. Learn more.
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Financial support and guidance
South Lake Futures has established the COVID-19 Response Fund to offer loans below prime rate to support businesses impacted by the pandemic. Learn more.
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Georgina's Economic Development Officer, Sean Columbus, is available to guide you to programs, resources or funding opportunities you may not be aware of. Connect with him.
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Featured Properties for Sale |
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Are you looking for the perfect site to start or expand your business? We can help you find a location that will meet your needs and is zoned for your industry.
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Disclaimer: Listings are provided to the Town from brokers, real estate agents, and various real estate websites. The Town of Georgina assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any information shown, and does not make any representation, warranties or guarantees of any kind in relation to the listings in this e-newsletter or the properties described therein. Please contact the real estate agent or other contact person identified on the listing to verify all information.
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Connect with us in person |
Have you ever wondered what Economic Development does and how the division helps Georgina’s business community? Join some of our Economic Development and Tourism staff for an informal chat about business, programs, initiatives and opportunities on July 20 at 1 Market Square in Sutton anytime between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Don’t be shy, come say hi.
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Summer Saturdays at Clearwater Farm |
Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1614 Metro Rd. N., Willow Beach
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Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
20849 Dalton Rd., Sutton
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Georgina Yoga and Music Festival |
Clearwater Farm, 1614 Metro Rd. N., Willow Beach
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Georgina Economic Development and Tourism
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