Congratulations to Bracebridge's Award Winners

The Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Business Achievement Awards on November 14th, 2012 at the Rotary Centre for Youth.

The event was sponsored by Smartax Business Services South  - thank you.

The following people and businesses received the most votes from Bracebridge Chamber members.

• Snap Fitness won the New Business of the Year Award sponsored by OfficeWorks.
• Nicole Lindner of Picnics—Gourmet to Go received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from award sponsor RBC Royal Bank.
• Hammond Transportation Ltd. received the Business of the Year Award from award sponsor TD Canada Trust.
• Rocky Island Tire Co. Inc. received the Outstanding Retail Customer Service Award from award sponsor Muskoka Staffing Company.
• OfficeWorks received the Home Based Business of the Year Award from award sponsor Scotiabank.
• James Street Place received the Service Provider of the Year Award from Award Sponsor Ruth Bell-Towns of BDO Canada LLP.
• Allison Dawes of Ecclestone Cycle & Swim won the Female Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by CIBC.
• David Friesen of Riverwalk Muskoka Fine Dining received the Male Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Carolyn’s Comfort Homes.
• Rotary Club of Bracebridge received the Outstanding Contribution to Bracebridge Award from award sponsor Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce.

Green 4 Business Workshop for Women Business Owners

Follow this link 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 

Funding Announced for Business Park Infrastructure

On Saturday, October 27th, The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister for FedNor, announced FedNor funding of $163,336 to assist in completing infrastructure upgrades to District Road #118 to enable the development of a business and light industrial park development at the Canyon Court Business Park.  Specifically, the funding will be used to improve the existing roadway and create turning lanes to provide safe access to this 70-acre industrial park development site.

The Honourable Tony Clement (with Mayor Smith and Tom O'Callaghan, Fowler Construction)

Tom O'Callaghan, Fowler Construction, Emcee for the Event

Mayor Graydon Smith at Funding Announcement

The majority of the work funded by FedNor will be completed by year end (i.e. December 31^st).  We would expect work to begin in a few weeks.

This property was formerly known as South Bracebridge Business Park and was recently named Canyon Court Business Park because of its proximity to the Muskoka River Canyon.  The park includes 22 lots that range in size from .84 acres to 9 acres and it will be fully wired with Fibre Optics.

The unique Business Park Zoning allows for a large range of uses including:   Contractor’s Yard, Emergency Service Depot, Equipment Sales & Rental, Farm Implement Dealer, Fuel Storage Tank, Home Improvement Centre , Indoor Storage Facilities, Light Manufacturing, Manufacturing and Processing Plant, Motor Vehicle Body Shop, Motor Vehicle Dealership, Motor Vehicle Parts Establishment, Motor Vehicle Rental Agency, Motor Vehicle Repair Garage, Office, Outside Display and Sale - Permitted only as an accessory use, Outside Storage (permitted with buffering), Passenger Transportation Depot, Printing and Publishing Establishment, Rental Agency, Retail Store Permitted only as an accessory use (not exceeding 25%), Service and Repair Shop, Truck or Transportation Depot, Veterinary Clinic

For information contact, Cheryl Kelley, Town of Bracebridge

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)