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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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Download the Visit Norfolk App Today The Visit Norfolk App is now live!. Norfolk County's Economic Develipment team is excited to announce that our free mobile tourism app, Visit Norfolk, is now avaiable in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store! The initative will allow both Norfolk County Residents and neighbouring regions to experience something new.
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Great ReviewsDespite being just a few days old, the Visit Norfolk App is a hit with users: "This is a great app for navigating the area. I especially love how it shows me how far away I am from a restaurant my wife and I want to go to." reads one review.
"An easy to use, intuitive, and comprehensive app to get around Norfolk County, discovering the sights, tastes and unique experiences," adds another. "It’s an easy download with no registration or account needed….download and start using it…it’s that simple!"
To be included in the second batch of businesses to be uploaded email: colin.schuringa@norfolkcounty.ca
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Sign up for Shop Norfolk and Sell Online Today!
The holiday season is fast approaching. Shop Norfolk offers a great opporunity to list your Christmas gift ideas and bundles, with no cost delivery to your customers. Staff is standing by to walk you through then process.
Contest Information
The Shop Norfolk Contest is now open. Complete the survey and you're automatically entered into a draw to win one of five prizes of $200. Entries are open until November 29, 2021. No purchase necessary.
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Economic Recovery Grant Extended!
Great news! Norfolk County Council has approved a second intake for its recovery grant program. Applications will be accepted until December 1. Approved projects will be announced in February, 2022.
Note that all projects must be completed by November 30, 2022. Final reports are due no later than two months after the end of the project and the final report of the final project must be received no later than January 31, 2023.
The final reports will be used to provide a report to Council in 2023 on the outcomes of the program.
Examples of projects that strongly align with the stated objectives for the program are listed at these links Downtown Vibrancy, Arts and Culture, and Agriculture.
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Norfolk Digitital Service Squad Grant Program Extended!
The $2500 Digital Main Street grant for small businesses has been extended. Applications will be fielded from now until the end of November on a first come, first served basis. See a description video here. The time to be part of the action is running out.
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Norfolk County’s Industrial Property Registry
We are in the process of finalizing an Industrial Property Registry for promoting employment lands in Norfolk County. If you own an industrial zoned property (land or building) and are interested in selling your property, please email us at business@norfolkcounty.ca or call us at 519-426-5870 EXT 1264.
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Norfolk County's Unemployment Rate
Norfolk County’s Unemployment Rate saw an increase from the 2nd quarter (7.4 percent in June) to 9.4 percent as of September 21 of 2021. There are currently open employment opportunities throughout the County. To search job opportunities, visit the Grand Erie Jobs platform, where you can search open positions by job type, location, duration, and other filters.
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| | Assistance for Businesses
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|  | Grant Programs
Greenhouse Technology Network - Funding Support
Specifically for the development and implement of technologies to support the greenhouse industry, this program is administered through greenhousetechnetwork.ca.
The grant includes a 1:1 cost share model where up to 80 percent of your input may be in materials and labour.
Canadian Digital Adoption Program
Designed to help SMEs accelerate their digital transformation, eligible business may qualify for 0% interest loans from BDC to finance the implementation of their technology adoption plans. Some conditions apply - for more click here
Ontario Tourism Recovery Program
The new Tourism Recovery Program will help to stabilize the province’s tourism industry.
The program will help for-profit tourism businesses inthe attraction, accommodation, and leisure travel sectors.
Eligible tourism businesses include inns and lodges, boat tours, ski centres, live performance venues, cinemas, drive-in theatres, and amusement and water parks.
The program will support tourism businesses that have experienced a loss of at least 50 per cent of eligible revenue in 2020-21compared to 2019.
Applications for this program was opened on October 13, 2021. Visit this link for more.
Canadian Food Innovation Network Innovation Booster Funding
This funding is for small or medium-sized food manufacturers with high potential project that are facing challenges due to lack of funds.The funding may be used to; assess product market-fit, test your minimum viable product, scale and expand globally, prepare for investmentand leverage and protect your intellectual property.
Application packages are currently available.
For more information visit the this Canadian Food Innovation Network website.
Tourism Safe Operation Program
Applications are now open for Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation (SWOTC) safe operation program. The pandemic support available for $500 or $1000. Applications avilable in a first come first serve basis. Eligible receipts required. For more, visit swotc.ca/safeopening.
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Provincial Assistance for Farmers
A Lake Erie Agriculture Demonstrating Sustainability (LEADS) project under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program, this fund was created to support on-farm projects that improve soil health and reduce the risk of nutrient losses. The project includes a short intake window from November 2 - 8, 2021. For more, click here.
FarmCredit Canada – What to Know Before You Buy or Lease Equipment
As the 2021 agriculture-growing season winds down, farmers are already thinking ahead to next year's season. If you will be requiring new equipment next year, this free webinar is for you. It happens Tuesday, November 16th from 2-3 p.m. You can register here.
Ontario’s Agri-Food Businesses Productivity Support
Applications are now open under the Canada Agricultural Partnership (CAP) program. Available to Ontario food, beverage and other agri-food businesses to purchase new equipment, adopt innovate technologies, and automate processes. Approved projects must be completed by Sept. 30, 2022. For more, visit here for more.
Skill Development Fund Extended
Funding for this program has been expanded to allow a wider range of organizations. This includes financial supports for trainees, including expenses for transit, childcare and apprenticeship training. For more, click here.
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Digital Leadership Training for Tourism BusinessThe Digital Leadership course being provided this November by Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation will be postponed and offered in the new year. Please email emma@swotc.ca with any questions or if you are interested in the program.
In the meantime, a 45 minute session is avaiable by clicking on the link below!
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B & C Farms
Congraulations to B & C Farms on their recent expansion in Norfolk County to establish an on-farm custom cut beef processing facility!
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