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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.
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Norfolk County is Open for Visitors Do you have a major Norfolk tourism event upcoming? Do you offer a tourism product? Do you have a special offer or a product discount?
Let us include it on our Visit Norfolk App. Lauded by users, the App is the place to get the word out. Let us update your profile. For all Norfolk Visit App updates please call ext 1264 or email our team.
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Our Display Unit has Re-opened
If you are a tourism business in Norfolk County, have printed your marketing material, we are once again accepting promotional material for display at the Robinson Administration Building in Simcoe. If you have a display unit in your business and wish to receive display supplies, please contact Stacey Webb or call 519-426-5870 ext 8044.
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Patio Season is here
Business owners, if you don’t already have a valid seasonal patio permit, but would be interested in a patio to expand seating capacity, information about the program and application process can be found here.
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Norfolk County Council Declares 2022 “The Year of the Garden”
Norfolk County has declared 2022 as the Year of the Garden. We want to hear your ideas on ways that you or your organization can celebrate the Year of The Garden (YOG). We want to share engagement and initiatives being undertaken in the community through Norfolk Tourism’s social channels and a common hashtag. Contact us for more.
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Norfolk Community Day - Save the Date
Join us for a day to celebrate Norfolk County and all its residents June 18. Stay tuned for the lineup of activities and locations!
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Ontario by Bike - Free Webinar, April 22, 2022
Destination Bike - Welcoming Cyclists in Norfolk County
Would you like to attract more cyclists to your business? Are you interested in obtaining a “bicycle friendly designation”? Ontario by Bike is hosting a free webinar for Norfolk County Businesses. How welcoming cyclists can be good for businesses
- Who are cycle tourists and what do they want
- New local and regional cycle routes, amenities and services
- Opportunities to better access the cycle tourism market
- How to become a certified bicycle friendly business
- Local and provincial marketing and promotions
- Connect with other tourism industry businesses and contacts
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED - Register here for 1-hour informative webinar to learn how to get your business certified and get any questions that you may have answered by the experts from Ontario by Bike.
There are already 25 tourism businesses certified as bicycle friendly in Norfolk County. Visit our Norfolk County - Great Places to Cycle - webpage to find out more.
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County Grant Program
Norfolk County is pleased to announce that the 2022 County Grant Program will move forward.
In recognition of the vital work that non-profit organizations do in our community each year, the municipality created the County Grant Program in 2015. Given the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic and mandated restrictions, it was placed on hold in recent months.
Through this program, Norfolk County Council can provide grants to non-profit organizations and groups who operate within or provide services to Norfolk County for any purpose that Council considers in the interest of the municipality.
These services include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Recreation
- Arts and culture
-Environmental
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Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Program
Norfolk County Council has approved the continuation of the CIP program
If you have a property that needs upgrade and improvement, you may qualify for a municipal grant.
The program is a 50/50 matching fund program that can be used for Façade improvement, accessibility upgrades and more.
More information on the CIP program can be found here.
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The Digital Service Squad (DSS) program
A big thank you goes out to our DSS members for their technical support to our local businesses for the last year.
Congratulations to our local businesses who were successful in receiving $2500 in grant funds to upgrade their technology.
Stay tuned, if additional grant funding becomes available to continue the program, it will be announced here in your newsletter.
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Business Visitation
Our Business Visitation program continues.
Do you have an expansion or growth idea you want to implement or a new market you wish to break into?
Are you facing a challenge and wish to get an independent opinion
Contact us at 519-426-5870 ext 1264 or book a meeting here.
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Sign Up for Shop Norfolk and Sell Online Today
Looking for an easy way to add the option for online sales?
Staff is standing by to walk you through the process for our Shop Norfolk program.
More information here. Or email our team.
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| | Assistance for Businesses
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|  Government Funding Opportunities
StrategicAgri-Food Processing Fund
Launching April 1, 2022, this support investment aims to increase processing capacity and sector competitiveness.
Businesses are eligible for up to $3 million in cost-share funding to either build new processing facilities, expand or modernize existing facilities and adopt new, innovative technologies to improve current operations. Additional information can be found at this link.
A presentation to explain the program can be found here.
FedDevOntario: Canada Community Revitalization Fund
Are you a not-for-profit organization?
Does your organization have a project that aims to:
- Build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets
- Bring people back to public spaces safely as health measures ease
- Create jobs and stimulate local economies
Additional information can be found here.
CanExport: Export FundingCompanies may access up to $50,000 in funding to assist with international market development activities.
The fund covers up to 50 percent of costs for export marketing of products in international markets where a Canadian company has little or no sales.
CanExportis now accepting new applications for projects starting April 1, 2022.
More information available here.
Program guidelines available here and the application form is available here. | |
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Le Tour de Norfolk is back!
GREAT NEWS, Le Tour de Norfolk is back this year!
Come and explore picturesque backroads and quaint villages as you join over 800 cyclists throughout Norfolk County. All routes are on quiet, paved roads. The start/finish is in Delhi, Ontario.
Choose from rides of 40, 75, 100 and 160 km routes with rest stops every 20-25 km, complete with snacks and refreshments. Registration is now open
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Golf Championships to be held in Norfolk
Both the 25th Canadian Blind Golf Open, and the Ontario Blind Golf Provincial Championship will take place at The Greens at Renton!
The ISPS HANDA Canadian Open Blind Golf Championship and the Ontario Blind Golf Provincial Championship will be held at the Greens at Renton, from August 6-12th, 2022.
These tournaments will attract approximately 50 blind or visually impaired golfers, and their coaches, from across Canada and around the world!
Find more information about these events and learn how to get involved .
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Workforce Excellence Program for Hospitality Training!
Ontario's Southwest is offering free access to online hospitality training for local tourism operators and employees via Typsy! Individuals can earn certificates endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality and three certificate programs recognized by Ontario's Southwest, including:
Hospitality Management 101 for those aiming to work in a management position or are currently in a management role.
Introduction to Hospitality to provide those new to hospitality with the essential skills to thrive in the industry.
COVID Adaptation Strategies to learn how to reframe problem-solving and ensure the employee and guest experiences continue to be enjoyable.
Click here to claim your 1-month access to online learning! Spaces are limited and this program fills up quickly, so claim your spots now. If you need more than 3 spots, please email Emma at SWOTC.
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Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie: 2021 Local Labour Market
The WPBGE is pleased to share the 2021 Local Labour Market Plan (LLMP), “The Grand Reshuffle: Workforce Reform in Grand Erie”.
The two-year-old pandemic has led to shifts in the way people work and think about work. These shifts are a major theme in the newest local labour market plan.
The report is an in-depth analysis of the current state of the labour market in Brantford, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties.
The 56-page report delves into changes in employment levels, the job market and the number of businesses active in the local economy.
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