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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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Attention: Norfolk-based entrepreneurs
Are you looking to start and grow a scalable eCommerce business? Join Alex Brown, founder of the eCommerce Rockstars Accelerator Program, along with 20 industry thought leaders, for a 12-week business accelerator program that will provide you with the essential knowledge, tools, tactical training, and strategic planning needed to start and grow your online business. The best part? There is no cost to Norfolk-based entrepreneurs
The program runs from Aug. 9 to Oct. 25, 2022
This project is delivered in partnership with Venture Norfolk and is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
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Norfolk County Unemployment Rate
- Norfolk’s jobless rate was estimated at 4.3% in June, a sizeable reduction over the 7.4% recorded in June 2021.
- There are currently open employment opportunities throughout the County. To search for 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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NOTE: Data for March and May 2022 were suppressed by Statistics Canada. Suppression rules are used so that any estimate below a minimum level are not released.
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The Digital Transformation Grant can now be combined with the Canada Digital Adaptation Program
It is now possible to combine the Digital Transformation Grant with the Canada Digital Adaptation program for a total of up to $5000 to upgrade your online marketing presence or improve your e-commerce presence.
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Theodore Too Returns
Theodore Too will be in Port Dover from August 3-6. Theodore will be back to teach us about the importance of our waterways and about the life of mariners. Not only will he be docked in our waters, but Theodore’s crew will be in tents nearby teaching those young, old, and young at heart how to tie knots and toss a line.
Come visit Port Dover Harbour Museum for a special Theodore Too craft and scavenger hunt prize.
Open Wed-Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission by donation.
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2022 is the Year of the Garden
Norfolk County has proclaimed 2022 as the Year of the Garden
We still want to hear your ideas on ways that you or your organization can celebrate the Year of The Garden (over the summer and into the fall. Store windows decorated in a garden theme, speakers on garden-related topics, and agriculture events — are all great ideas that we want to promote through Norfolk Tourism’s social channels.
To learn more, or share your ideas for how you plan to celebrate, check out Norfolk’s Year of the Garden webpage.
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Farm Tour – Save the Date
The Ontario Hazelnut Association is hosting a Farm Tour Saturday, September 10.
You may register for the tour here.
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Updates
Workforce Development Survey for Tourism Operators – SWOTC is conducting an important survey that will provide the organization with a better idea of how they can continue to support tourism businesses within the region for years to come! From operators, they are looking to understand:
- What topics/workshops do operators find interesting and helpful?
- What operators are struggling with in their business?
- What operators would like to see from SWOTC moving forward?
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Description and Access for Anti-Black Archival Materials facilitated by Melissa Nelson, Archivist for Archives of Ontario. Click here to register for this online workshop that occurs on Monday, August 15th from 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Introduction to Diversity Equity & Inclusion facilitated by Ren Navaro, owner of Beer Diversity. Click here to register for this in-person workshop that occurs on Monday, September 19th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Upper Thames Brewing.
What is Experiential Tourism? is a hands-on workshop held at Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life. Click here to register for this in-person workshop that occurs on Monday, October 3rd from 9:30 a.m.–Noon.
Growing Shoulder Season Travel, facilitated by Valerie Keast, the Culinary Tourism Alliance. Click here to register for this in-person workshop that occurs on Monday, November 7th from 10:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m. at Elm Hurst Inn.
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| | Assistance for Businesses
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|  Government Funding Opportunities
Southwestern Ontario Development FundThe program supports companies, particularly SMEs, to grow, improve productivity, invest in innovation and skills development, pursue new markets, create sustainable jobs, and generate broad positive regional impacts.
Intake window closes — Aug. 25
Eligibility Checklist due — Aug. 11
Notification date — Nov. 23, 2022
Additional information here
Rapid Response for Business Development (RRBD) Initiative
Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) has announced the launch of the Rapid Response for Business Development (RRBD) Initiative. The GRAS RRBD Initiative will provide up to $10,000 to support Ontario-based, agriculture, agri-food, agri-products, and clean-tech businesses, as they work with established business connections to advance market opportunities and secure sales for their innovative products, processes, or technologies.
Program guidelines and how to apply can be found here.
Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation (NCFDC)
NCFDC has just launched thriveFORWARD to accelerate investment in innovation across southern Ontario for clean, inclusive growth. This is non-repayable performance-based funding of $25,000 available for Startups (matching) and $100,000 for SMEs (reimbursing 50 percent of eligible and approved costs). Applications are received for both streams on a continuous open intake until the program is fully subscribed. Additional information can be found here.
Rapid Response for Business Development (RRBD) Initiative
The Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) has announced the launch of the RapidResponse for Business Development (RRBD) Initiative. The GRASRRBD Initiative will provide up to $10,000 to support Ontario-based, agriculture, agri-food,agri-products, and clean-tech businesses as they work with established business connections to advance market opportunities and secure sales for their innovative products, processes, or technologies.
Program guidelines and how to apply can be found here.FoodShift Program — Call for Applications Starting July 27
FoodShift invites organizations based in Ontario operating in the food and beverage processing sector to lead clean technology adoption projects.
The program will provide non-repayable funding for net-zero technology adoption ($1.5 million) to food and beverage processors to subsidize the cost of adopting and integrating new clean technologies into their operations. Successful program recipients will be selected through an open call for applications and will be awarded up to $50,000 in project-based matching funding.
For program information visit the Bioenterprise website
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Ontario Skills Development Program
The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) provides free training for manufacturing employees and affordable peer-to-peer mentoring. CME programs are designed exclusively for the needs of the manufacturing workplace. Find out how to register here
Free training programs include:
- Lean 101
- Women in ManufacturingLeadership Development Program
- Health and Safety Workshops
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| | Community & Business Feature
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Unilever is Hiring!
Unilever is hiring and a full list of the job postings is available here
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Downtown Simcoe Friday Night Market
Shopping, entertainment, fine cuisine…Downtown Simcoe has become the Hit Strip in Norfolk County every Friday in until Sept. 2. You won’t want to miss a single Friday this summer.
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