The monthly newsletter for Norfolk's business community
January 2023
Welcome to the new Norfolk County Business Bulletin, the monthly newsletter for Norfolk's business community! You'll receive all the latest news and updates from Norfolk's Economic Development team, delivered straight to your inbox. Let us know what you think at business@norfolkcounty.ca.
County Updates
Needed: Project Microphone Committee Members
Are you a passionate and proactive person with a strong belief in the cultural and economic impacts of live entertainment on communities? Do you have experience hosting, organizing, performing, or working in live event spaces? Norfolk County is seeking someone just like you to join our Project Microphone Advisory Committee—a group of volunteers and County staff devoted to utilizing live entertainment as an economic driver by promoting tourism and elevating the brand of Norfolk County in the live entertainment industry. Interested? Email dallas.waldie@norfolkcounty.ca.
New Norfolk County Coupon Program
Are you a tourism business operating in Norfolk County? Would you be interested in referring visitors to other businesses as they refer visitors to you? Do you want to be part of a pilot project to help us track visitor spend in the community? For more information or if you would like to participate, send us an email at business@norfolkcounty.ca
Tourism operators, take advantage of your complimentary TIAO Membership for 2023
By the Numbers: Norfolk County Planning Department
By the Numbers: Norfolk County Building Department
Summer Job Fair
The Norfolk County Recreation Department will host a student job fair at the Simcoe Recreation Centre on Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The event will be held on the arena floor. Bring your resume and meet with Norfolk staff for a chance to secure an interview!
Skill Development Fund Deadline January 31, 2023 This fund has expanded eligibility to allow for a wider range of or organizations. It has also expanded apprenticeship training and funding to cover a wider range of financial supports for trainees, including expenses for transit and childcare. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as funds are limited. Click here for more.
Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program New funding is available through the Enhanced Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program to helpfarmers and other agri-food businesses take additional measures to guard the health and safety of agri‐food workers.
The $10 million inprovincial funding will be available through three program streams:
- The Agri-Food Workplace COVID-19 Prevention and Protection (WCPP) stream to support the adoption of prevention and mitigation measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- The Wage, Isolation and Quarantine Support (WIQS) for Employers of International Agri-food Workers (IAWs) will reimburse eligible applicants who have been impacted by outbreaks of COVID-19.
- Congregate Housing Infection Prevention and Control Measures (CHIPC) stream will reimburse eligible applicants for minor modifications throughout the congregate employee housing, to promote the implementation of appropriate health and safety measures.
- The Program intake began November 10, 2022 and will go until January 31, 2023. Funding is available on a first come first serve basis.
EmployerOne Survey January will see the return of the EmployerOne survey, giving employers a platform to share their labour force challenges and successes. A lot has changed since the last EmployerOne survey, conducted in 2020, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 survey will be a good opportunity to see where things stand. Take the survey here.
Community & Business Updates
Free Welding Training There are two more classes coming up for the free Skills2Advance Welding job training, which teaches basic welding techniques and other job-ready skills. Businesses that want to register existing workers get priority for spots in the final classes. These incumbent workers may be able to complete the hands-on training within 30 hours. Training is based on a curriculum from the CWB Welding Foundation. Remaining dates for training:
- Class at Fanshawe College, Simcoe Campus. Orientation, Feb. 17, classes Feb. 21-24 and Feb. 27 - March 3.
- Class at Conestoga College, Cambridge. Orientation Feb. 24, classes Feb. 27 - March 3 and March 6 - 10.
