RBC Continues Partnership with Small Business Centre

Mayor Smith and David Connell of the Muskoka Small Business Centre received a cheque for $1500 recently from Irwin Dick and Barb Hunter of RBC Royal Bank.  RBC Royal Bank has been a partner of the Small Business Centre for over 10 years.

The Muskoka Small Business Centre provides services across Muskoka to assist entrepreneurs with start-up and expansion of businesses.  The Centre is located in downtown Bracebridge.

L-R:  Mayor Smith, Dave Connell (MSBC), Barb Hunter (RBC Royal Bank, Bracebridge),
Irwin Dick (RBC Royal Bank, Regional Manager)

YWCA Enterprising Women Event

BRIDGES TO BETTER BUSINESS

Muskoka Small Business Centre's Annual Bridges to Better Business

Date:  Thursday, February 7th, 2013

Location:  Gravenhurst Opera House

Maximizing the Profit Potential of Your Business


with Keynote Speaker Tim Alison, Happy Entrepreneur

Panel of business peers sharing experiences and best practices

NEW this year: Speed mentoring

This is an opportunity to find ways to grow your business and keep up to date on everything you need to know in an ever-changing business world.   More information     Register (printable)     Email to Register

Ground Breaking for Muskoka's Newest Business Park

On Saturday, October 27th, The Honourable Tony Clement, MP and Minister for FedNor, Mayor Graydon Smith and Tom O'Callaghan, Vice President of Fowler Construction participated in the official ground breaking for Canyon Court Business Park - Muskoka's Newest Business Park.

Left to Right:
 Retired Mayors Don Coates & Scott Northmore, Tony Joosse, Battlefield/Toromont,
Mayor Graydon Smith, MP Tony Clement, Tom O'Callaghan, Fowler Construction 

Bracebridge's Tourism Brand moving to next step

Following a comprehensive community assessment and subsequent rebranding process, Bracebridge is about to embark upon a new economic development initiative.  This new initiative will be based around attracting visitors with a variety of hands-on learning experiences designed to increase traffic, and therefore spending, in our community throughout the year.

Life-long learning is the fastest growing element in today’s tourism marketplace. Our hands-on experiences will be based around three pillars: the Arts, Culinary and Muskoka Lifestyle. The experiences will be provided by local businesses or individuals who have a vested interest in attracting new customers through these experiences.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity and how you and your business could benefit check out Bracebridge's Branding Blog for more information.  

(From Bracebridge Brand Leadership Blog, October 19, 2012)

Women in Business starts this week in Bracebridge

YMCA Muskoka


This integrated life skills and business/employment skills program is designed to increase confidence, self-esteem, skill levels and personal and professional networks, ultimately leading to greater economic independence. Participants are supported in completing a Life Plan or a Business Plan. 

Approximately 40% of our graduates chose to operate their own businesses in Muskoka, including several main street businesses throughout Muskoka. Others have changed careers and explored further education. 

Program will take place in Bracebridge on Tuesdays and Thursdays and starts October 11, 2012.

To learn more about the program visit the Y's website or in person at our Bracebridge office

440 Ecclestone Drive, Unit 3

Unemployed? Thinking About Starting Your Own Business

Ontario Self Employment Benefit Program

2 Free Workshops

Exploring Self Employment Part 1  Monday, October 22, 1 - 4 pm

Exploring Self Employment Part 2 Monday, October 29, 9 am to Noon

Both Sessions to be held at Gagnon's Indpendent Grocer 270 Wellington St., Bracebridge, ON P1L 1B8

To register or for more information call Business Enterprise Resource Network 705.645.4225 or email
sue@selfemploymentassistance.ca

Battlefield Equipment opening on April 2nd

March 6, 2012 - Media Release

The management and staff of Battlefield Equipment proudly announce the official opening of our new facility in Bracebridge, Ontario on April 2, 2012. Located at 6 Kirkhill Drive, easy access to the new branch is provided off Hwy 11 via Muskoka Road (Hwy 118 W). This will be Battlefield Equipment’s 30th location in Ontario, for a total of 37 locations throughout Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador.


With the addition of the new Battlefield Equipment Bracebridge branch, Battlefield Equipment plans to focus on its customers by continuing to provide excellence in service, quick responsiveness to customers needs and by allowing ease of business through all market segments. The dedication of our Bracebridge staff will continue to provide solutions to its business communities which will allow businesses to adapt to whatever challenge they might face.

Battlefield Equipment offers a full range of machines, tools, equipment and supplies to meet all of your jobsite and homeowner needs. To handle your complete rental needs, Battlefield Equipment also sells a wide selection of specialized tools and supplies. All of our equipment has been regularly serviced by our Factory Trained Technicians and has undergone a strict maintenance schedule to the ensure equipment will perform reliably on your jobsite, or in your home.

The facility itself is something to see as the impressive Bracebridge branch, a 10,000 sq.ft. facility, sits on 5 acres of land. The new branch houses a 2,000 sq.ft. showroom displaying building products, safety supplies and consumable items; an 8,000 sq.ft. warehouse with 3 dedicated Service Bays, a Wash Bay and an additional bay for Equipment Pick-Up and Drop-Off. The Wash Bay includes an environmentally friendly state-of-the-art, totally closed-loop wash water recycling / biological treatment system which rapidly degrades organic contaminants (oil, grease, gasoline, diesel fuel, herbicides and pesticides).

Battlefield Equipment also offers a full line of Safety Training Services to assist with the training of your staff and helping ensure compliance. Battlefield Equipment is your trusted source for training programs which are dedicated to promoting worker safety in, on or around the jobsite, ensuring everyone arrives home safely, every day. Our Safety Trainers will teach your staff how to reduce the risk of injury. You will also learn more about environmental, health and safety concerns that impact jobsites, machine inspections and operator safekeeping.

Battlefield Equipment operates Cat® Rental Stores, and is the exclusive Caterpillar® dealer for Compact Equipment in Ontario, Manitoba and Newfoundland. For more information on the products, services and Training Programs that Battlefield Equipment provides, please call 1-800-RENT-CAT to reach your nearest location.

Battlefield Equipment Rentals
Bracebridge Location Contact Information
6 Kirkhill Drive, Bracebridge, Ontario P1L 0A1
Ph.: (705) 646-8888 Fax: (705) 646-9801

Website: www.BattlefieldEquipment.ca

Small Business Seminar Series

The Muskoka Small Business Centre and the Port Sydney/Utterson & Area Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to start a new seminar series. If you are an entrepreneur, visioneer and involved in a new business or one looking for growth and expansion, this series is for you. The four-part series starts on March 20th and will be held in Port Sydney. The series features guest speakers and pertinent topics like business planning, social media, marketing and more.

4 EVENING SESSIONS

SESSION 1 - TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012 VIABILITY AND RESEARCH

SESSION 2 – TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012 NUTS & BOLTS

SESSION 3 – TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012 DOLLARS & SENSE

SESSION 4 – TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2012 SPREADING THE WORD

Cost:  $25 for all 4 sessions

Location:  Port Sydney Chamber of Commerce Office

Click here for more information or download the registration form to hold your spot.

Bracebridge's Brand Redevelopment Update

Bracebridge’s Brand Development Committee is working diligently at developing a new economic development brand for Bracebridge. The work on a new brand was initiated as a result of the Destination Development International’s (DDI) assessment of the community “from the eyes of a first-time visitor” that took place in September 2011. Working together, the Town of Bracebridge along with the Bracebridge BIA and the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce have pulled together a Brand Development Committee made up of a diverse group of local citizens to assist with this project. The results of the Brand Development Committee will be unveiled at an Open House on Friday, March 2nd, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Nipissing University.


The Brand Development Committee has processed a mountain of information that was received from residents during the community input portion of the project and are currently narrowing down the list of possible brands to those that are most feasible for Bracebridge. The Brand Development Committee is comprised of Tony Armstrong (Back Country Paintball), Mae Campbell (Campbell Sports and the Bracebridge BIA President), Allison Dawes (Ecclestone Cycle), Mark Hvasti (The Cottage Winery), Larry Stroud (Board Member, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce), Laura Hernando (Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport), Melloney McNabb (Simply Cottage), Don Skinner (Skinner Design Group and retail landlord), as well as a number of individuals representing the Town of Bracebridge (Graydon Smith, Lori-Lynn Giaschi-Pacini, Cheryl Kelley, and John Sisson).


“Roger’s presentation last September was a real eye opener for many local business owners. His Community Findings and Suggestions Report identified in excess of sixty initiatives that would improve the experience for first time visitors to our community. A number of these ideas are simply housekeeping items and we’ve already begun to work on those.” said Mayor Graydon Smith. He went on to add, “However DDI’s primary suggestion that Bracebridge needed to develop a strong, unified and unique brand in order to carve out a niche in today’s highly competitive tourism industry was not what some people expected to hear. But in the days following Roger’s presentation, many local business owners came forward expressing interest in becoming part of this project. ”


Mae Campbell, President of the Bracebridge BIA explained that the rebranding needed to come from within the community, not from an outside consultant. “On Roger’s recommendation, we launched a Survey Monkey questionnaire that asked residents a number of key questions. Things like what they thought the community’s assets are, what the major challenges were and what they would like to see the community known for in the coming years. Our questionnaire netted an amazing 500 respondents.” stated Campbell.


February 28-March 2 has been set aside as Brand Camp week. At this time Roger Brooks and his team from Destination Development International will be in town to guide the Brand Development Committee through the final process of choosing the single brand that will differentiate Bracebridge from its immediate competitors. This exciting four day process will culminate with an Open House where the public is invited to see the results of the week long brand development process. The public Open House will take place at Nipissing University on Friday March 2 at 11:00am-11:45am.

First Year of Successful Business Celebrated on November 26th!

Liz and Harold Walker celebrated a successful first year in business this week.  The couple own and operate Bliss Boutique, a ladies clothing and fashion accessory store, located at 63 Manitoba Street, Downtown Bracebridge. 

Mayor Graydon Smith, Liz and Harold Walker, owners of Bliss Boutique

Mayor Smith, Jen Skinner, Liz Walker, Harol Walker, Don Skinner
The Walker's are the owners of Bliss Boutique,
the Skinner's are the building owner at 63 Manitoba Street, Downtown Bracebridge

Construction Continues on Local Projects

Battlefield Equipment Rentals building on Ecclestone Drive is progressing steadily now that the building components have arrived.  This photo was taken on November 1st.  Opening should be in early 2012.

Castle Peak Retirement Residence construction is also progressing well.  Here is a link to the master plan for the complex.  New residents are expecting to move in later in November.  Contact them for information.

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.

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

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

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

Attention Muskoka Tourism Members - Sail & Learn About Social Media

An invitation for all our members,


Muskoka Tourism is proud to host a complimentary End of Summer Boat Cruise aboard the Wenonah II. It will be a fun and informative cruise as we have asked Sofie Andreou to be our guest speaker. Sofie is an author and lecturer on how social media can boost your business.

Please RSVP so that we may accommodate everyone.

Please see the attachment and RSVP to info@muskokatourism.ca or call Pat at 1-800-267-9700.

Thanks and hope to see you on board.

MCN: Programs to assist with E-business & Technology Infrastructure

Muskoka Community Network (MCN) today announced that it is accepting new applications for its BEAM program.  The BEAM program (Broadband for E-business And Marketing) provides financial assistance to small and medium sized enterprises wanting to leverage E-business tools such as online payment systems and social media.  The program also provides assistance to businesses wanting to establish a presence on the web for the very first time.

Small and medium sized businesses operating on a full time basis in Muskoka may apply by calling Muskoka Community Network at 705-646-9044, or by visiting www.mcnet.ca/ebusiness/beam/

Eligible applicants may receive up to 75 per cent of supported costs including web design, development and implementation, to a maximum of $2,000.  The program is being made available for a limited time, while funds last.

  

In conjunction with this program, Muskoka Futures Development Corporation also has financing available for technology investments.  For more information, visit www.muskokafutures.ca/loaninfo.html

Further supporting small and medium sized enterprises, Muskoka Community Network recently announced the High-Speed Internet for Remote Areas program (Hi-SIRA) to help rural and remote businesses of Muskoka secure access to high speed internet by way of an extended antenna.  Eligible applicants to the Hi-SIRA program may receive up to 75 per cent of supported costs including external (to the dwelling) connectivity equipment or structures and installation fees, to a maximum of $1,000.

Hi-SIRA is being made available for a limited time, while funds last. Small and medium sized businesses operating on a full time basis in Muskoka may apply by calling Muskoka Community Network at 705-646-9044, or by visiting www.mcnet.ca/broadband/sira/  Hi-SIRA is not available to cottagers, private homes or hobby businesses.

Great Day for Pixels on the Parallel

Today the Skinner family showcased the great work of their animation studio at Norwood Theatre.