Busy and Successful Week in Bracebridge

Here are some photos from this week in business in Bracebridge.

First was a great Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours held at Camp Muskoka. In the pictures the main building and two of our local business owners Steve Low and Greg Hammond (who are still doing business electronically at the event).

Next was a fabulous night for business women from Downtown Bracebridge. Both Mae Brazier (Campbell's/The ice Cream Shoppe) and Elizabeth Palmer (Fine Thymes) were nominated as Women of Distinction in the Business and Entrepreneurship Category. Shown in the picture is Mae Brazier/Campbell.

On Saturday morning the Grand Opening of Nipissing University's Student Residence ceremony was held. Here are a variety of photos from that event.

Bracebridge is "on the map" in Toronto

Bracebridge is "on the map" thanks to Muskoka Cottage Brewery!  Canyon Creek, a downtown Toronto restaurant is running an autumn promotion focussing on their use of Ontario produce in their meals.  Muskoka Cottage Brewery's Harvest Ale is a featured prominently on the menu.  Patrons entering the restaurant are greeted with this "LOCAL HARVEST" poster that outlines the origins of the various ingredients used in the promotion. 

Energy Conservation Programs

Have you checked out the various programs that may be availalbe for your home or business?  Here's a link to the Energy Conservation section of Lakeland Power's website.  Follow the various links to programs that can help you save energy & money.

True North Printed Plastics Grand Opening

Rick and Andrew Struthers and the staff of True North Printed Plastics were joined by MP Tony Clement, MPP Norm Miller, District Chairman John Klinck, Mayor Graydon Smith along with other members of the business community, family and friends on Saturday, October 22nd for their grand opening.  The address for True North is 53 EP Lee Drive, Bracebridge, ON

Signage within the Town of Bracebridge

The Town's Sign By-law was updated in 2010 to reflect the changing realities in signage options.  Here is a link to the by-law.  Schedule A on Page 28 is particularly helpful in providing a summarized table of various aspects of the regulations.  As well, the definition pages starting on page 2 can help you identify the type of sign that you may be considering. 

Businesses should also be aware that if your business fronts on a District of Muskoka Road, such as Manitoba Street, Taylor Road, Cedar Lane or Wellington Street, that your proposed sign must also meet the requirements of the District of Muskoka Sign By-law.

If you have any questions, contact the Town's Building Department at 705-645-5264.

Small Business Week Workshop - Accessibility Standards

The Muskoka Small Business Centre and the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce are hosting an Accessibility Standards Workshop on Thurs. Oct. 20th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Town of Bracebridge Council Chambers.

Workshop Details

Starting January 1st, 2012, all business must be in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This workshop will help business owners understand the requirements of the AODA and how it will affect their day to day operations.


This workshop will cover the following topics:

• An overview of the AODA— an emphasis will be placed on customer service; structural changes are not a part of the upcoming deadline
• What is considered a disability?
• What barriers exist that might prevent a person with a disability from accessing your services?
• A detailed examination of the Policies and Procedures template that can be modified for your business needs
• Questions and Answers

Conducted by: Steve Abouldahab, Certified AODA Advisor

Pre-registration and advance payment Required. Maximum 25 People.

Register Early! Registration Fee $10

To register: contact the Muskoka Small Business Centre 705-646-9021 or info@muskokasmallbusiness.ca.

Upcoming Workshops for Employers - ROE's & Employment Standards

 Streamline your payroll system & learn about electronic ROE's!  HOW TO PREPARE AN ROE (Record of Employment) Workshop to be held on October 26th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Louise Therrien, Citizen Service Specialist, Service Canada


Workplace Rights and Responsibilities Workshop to be held on October 26th from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Glenn Goodwin, Employment Standards Officer, Ministry of Labour, Employment Standards.


To sign up contact Northern Lights Canada in Bracebridge - 705-646-0475, Email:  bracebridge@northernlightscanada.ca

Business Achievement Awards - Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce

The 18th Annual Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Business Achievement Awards Luncheon will be held:

Date: Thursday November 10th, 2011
Time: 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
Location: Bracebridge Rotary Centre for Youth

Reservations: $45.00 per person. Call (705) 645-5231 today to reserve your place.  Join us as we celebrate excellence in our business community!

For more information visit the Chamber's website

Manufacturing Opportunity: Meet Home Depot's Buyers

Opportunity to Meet the Buyer

The first Meet the Buyer event was held in London, Ontario on December 13, 2010 with excellent results! On November 24, 2011, the second Meet the Buyer event will be held in Kanata, Ontario. SME manufacturers with innovative home improvement products or technologies are invited to apply.

Qualified manufacturers of promising products will be invited to the event and given the opportunity to:

• Pitch their product to a buyer from The Home Depot Canada
• Showcase their product to members of The Home Depot's Merchandising Team, including Senior Leadership, in a tradeshow style environment
• Attend presentations given by senior representatives of The Home Depot Canada, the Ontario Government and others
• Network and share experiences with key representatives from The Home Depot Canada, the Governments of Ontario and Quebec as well as fellow innovative product manufacturers
• Develop valuable knowledge related to the requirements of doing business with a large retailer such as The Home Depot

 There are no fees to apply or to attend the Meet the Buyer event

Manufacturers are invited to apply and complete a qualifying questionnaire online until October 31, 2011

 

REGISTER NOW

 

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) is working with The Home Depot on an
opportunity that will be of interest to small and medium enterprise (SME) manufacturers across Ontario.

The goal is to assist SME manufacturers to bring commercially viable, innovative, retail-focused products to market. Known as the "Innovation for Sustainability Pilot Project", Home Depot is looking for qualified SME manufacturers with environmentally preferred home improvement products or technologies

The Innovation for Sustainability program is a partnership between The Home Depot, the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the Quebec Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, and Summerhill

For more information, please contact:

Rick Grandin, Manager Business Development
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Business Advisory Services
56 Wellesley Street West
4th Floor, Room 426
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2E7
(416) 325-6864
E-mail: richard.grandin@ontario.ca

Ergonomics Symposium 2011

Have you ever wanted to know about how to protect your back when you are lifting, repetitive strain injuries or office ergonomics?

Come join us on October 27th for our ERGONOMICS SYMPOSIUM at the Turner Centre in Bracebridge.

Turner Centre, 120 Taylor Rd., Bracebridge
October 27, 2011
8:30 am—12:00 pm
Learn about:

• Protecting your back
• Repetitive Strain Injuries
• Office Ergonomics

Occupational Health clinics for Ontario Workers Inc.
Sudbury, 84 Cedar Street, 2nd Floor
Contact Trevor Schell at 1‐800‐461‐7120 or tschell@ohcow.on.ca

Implement Health & Safety in Your Workplace - Lunch & Learn - Orillia

Health & Safety in the Workplace is your Business!

This forum will provide your organization with information and tools to implement Health & Safety in your Workplace.

EVENT DATE: Wednesday, October 26, 2011
 

LOCATION: Best Western Marisposa Inn & Conference Centre, 400 Memorial Avenue, Orillia
 

11:30 am – Lunch
12:00 pm – Keynote Speaker: Gary Green, Task Force General Safety Officer, CFB Base Borden
12:45-1:30 pm – Health & Safety Trainer Providers on-site booths available.
 

Highlights
- Find out what you need to know
- Find out about staff Training from local providers
- Receive a Free copy of the Health & Safety in the Workplace – A Guide to Get you Started
 

RSVP by: Wednesday, October 12, 2011
 

CherieAnne Young 705-725-1011 cherieanne@labourtrends.ca
 

Presented to you by the Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board

Small Business Week Breakfast - North Bay

The Labour Market Group, in partnership with the North Bay Newcomer Network and the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend our upcoming breakfast session with Keynote Speaker, Dr. Rick Miner, author of “People Without Jobs, Jobs Without People:  Ontario’s Labour Market Future.” Dr. Miner’s presentation will consider the dual trends of an aging population and the need for a more educated workforce.  The consequence of these events occurring simultaneously is frightening.  Unless they are proactively addressed, increased labour shortages and higher levels of unemployment will result. There is also further discussion about how the negative impact of these trends can be avoided, a direction for preparing for the jobs of the future, and the role that institutions, governments and businesses will need to take in both these processes.

Please join us for breakfast and presentation looking at the implications of an aging population and how this reality creates both a problem and an opportunity.

Tuesday October 18, 2011
Best Western Hotel and Conference Centre
700 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay

7:30am Registration and Breakfast
8:00am Opening Remarks
Keynote address to follow

To register for this event, please call the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce at 705-472-8480 or email nbcc@northbaychamber.com

RTO 12 - REGIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION

Here's a set of link for quick access to information about RTO 12 or as more recently named "Explorer's Edge"

What is RTO 12?
http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/regions/regions.shtml

What is RTO 12 doing or planning to do?
http://explorersedge.ca/current-projects

What is the "brand" image mean?  (This is a link to the launch presentation)
http://explorersedge.ca/files/documents_2011-08-18_fac1f/file/thursdaymorningbrandwebinar.pdf

Who to contact:
http://explorersedge.ca/contact

Sign up for a newsletter
http://explorersedge.ca/e-news

Muskoka's First Storefront Business Incubator Open

Youth INC.ubator is a brand new entrepreneurship development program aimed at young people throughout Muskoka between the ages of 15 to 29. It is funded by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade through their Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships program, and delivered by Muskoka Small Business Centre (MSBC) with the support of a number of community partners, notably the Town of Bracebridge.

The Aim of Youth INC.ubator is to raise awareness of entrepreneurship as a career option for young people and to create opportunities for youth to contribute to the economic growth of Muskoka. The program will support young entrepreneurs in their efforts to start and run their own year round business by providing:

• A subsidized business location that will house several businesses under one roof
• Marketing and promotional support to participating businesses
• Business training for participating businesses
• Access to mentorship through a community mentoring group
• A staff member on-site to oversee operations of the business location
• Ongoing support and guidance provided by MSBC staff
• Access to a micro-financing program
• A flexible schedule allowing young entrepreneurs to work outside their business if necessary

Business Owner, Alissa of the Wooly Owl, gets interviewed by Amy for TV Cogeco



Business Owners, Joey from Brunner Photography,
Alissa from Wooly Owl, Anna from Frankie's Baby Boutique talking with Mayor Graydon Smith



The food for the event was provided by Nicole from PICNICS

The Grand Opening of the Youth Inc.ubator Marketplace took place on Friday, September 30th.  Current the Marketplace is home to 6 businesses. 

If you know of any young entrepreneurs who could benefit from this program contact Dave at the Muskoka Small Business Centre 705-646-9021.

Snap Fitness Bracebridge Opens

Bracebridge now has a 24 hour, 7 day per week fitness facility.  It is located at 505 Highway 118 West - near the Zellers Store in the former Purple Pig location.

Owner Sanford (Sandy) Long along with his staff Melissa and Jared held their Grand Opening on Saturday, October 1st.  Many club members and family participating with them in celebrating this event.

Mayor Graydon Smith helped in the Grand Opening. 

For more information visit their website