Eastern Ontario Business Journal | Powerbook | Spring 2021

KEY MARKETS OPPORTUNITIES, EMPLOYERS AND STATS: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE REGION

POWER BOOK

A guide to growth, business expansion and investment opportunities in Eastern Ontario REAL ESTATE

Quality of life draws employers and telecommuters to rural regions

WHAT’S BEING BUILT

Manufacturing, science, innovation: awesome Eastern Ontario items

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SPRING 2021 Vol. 01, NO. 01

obj.ca

@obj_news

OBJNews

ottawabizjournal

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International Gateway Bridges to U.S. Port of Johnstown Full Rail Service ___________________ Business & Industrial Parks Serviced Land Unserviced Land _____________________

Opportunities for Small Business

www.investleedsgrenville.com | www.discoverleedsgrenville.com

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econdev@uclg.on.ca | 613-342-3840 ext. 5365 | 1-800-770-2170

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1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Waterways

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Renfrew County offers surprisingly diverse opportunities for career development. Above and beyond the traditional and still thriving forestry and agricultural sectors, there exists a variety of other career options. Work within aerospace and defence manufacturing, science and technology R&D, pharmaceuticals, construction, tourism, food and beverage, health care and more. Whether you are an entrepreneur planning your next startup business, a high-tech employee working from home, a chef, an artist or an executive looking for a fresh change, shift your focus for worklife balance in our direction.

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Starting just 25 minutes west of Kanata, Renfrew County boasts quintessential small towns, welcoming communities and natural rural environments. Travel picturesque country roads, enjoy forest trails and explore rivers and lakes.

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Discover the many towns, trails and paddle routes throughout Renfrew County.

A short drive west of Ottawa, you find adventure in nature, food, art and music, all wrapped in a friendly and relaxing rural culture.

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Renfrew County and the Ottawa Valley are a veritable all-season and all-sport recreational paradise. Hike, ski and board the mountains, or get invigorated on the abundance of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Bike the trails — gravel and blacktop — from spring through fall, or fat bike all winter long. Join the motorcyclists who fall in love each year with our country roads. Fish, hunt and commune with nature across thousands of square kilometres of Crown land plus majestic rivers and over 900 lakes. Enjoy endless paddling, motor boating and sailing as well as world-class whitewater for dynamic descents. After your adventures, a burgeoning local food and beverage scene is waiting for you to relax and relive your adventures.

Check us out at Renfrew County Economic Development and Investment Services 613.735.0091 | www.InvestRenfrewCounty.com

KEY MARKETS OPPORTUNITIES, EMPLOYERS AND STATS: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE REGION

POWER BOOK

A guide to growth, business expansion and investment opportunities in Eastern Ontario REAL ESTATE

Quality of life draws employers and telecommuters to rural regions

WHAT’S BEING BUILT

Manufacturing, science, innovation: awesome Eastern Ontario items

10

SPRING 2021 Vol. 01, NO. 01

obj.ca

@obj_news

OBJNews

ottawabizjournal

ottawa-business-journal

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INTRODUCING EOBJ The Eastern Ontario Business Journal is a new sister publication to the Ottawa Business Journal, building on its 25-year history of covering business communities both in the National Capital Region and beyond. The publication contains key data, contacts and industry trends from across Eastern Ontario. Explore the competitive advantages, market opportunities and major employers in various communities across the region on the following pages.

PRESIDENT Michael Curran, 613-238-1818 ext. 228 publisher@obj.ca PUBLISHER Terry Tyo, 613-238-1818 ext. 268 terry@greatriver.ca

INSIDE THIS ISSUE FOCUS ON EASTERN ONTARIO’S TOWNS, CITIES AND COUNTIES

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HEAD OF CONTENT Peter Kovessy, 613-238-1818 ext. 251 pkovessy@obj.ca

ADVERTISING SALES General Inquiries, sales@obj.ca

DESIGN DEPARTMENT Regan Van Dusen, 613-238-1818 ext. 254 regan@greatriver.ca

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FINANCE Cheryl Schunk, 613-238-1818 ext. 250 cheryl@greatriver.ca

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mark Sutcliffe

PRESIDENT Michael Curran

A guaranteed minimum of 20,000 copies are printed and distributed.

Charles Enman investigates Eastern Ontario’s appeal for businesses of all kinds Brockville’s big-time manufacturing boom Cornwall is a multinational magnet Frontenac County boasts quality of life for adventure seekers Gananoque is a place to work by waterfront Hawkesbury’s bilingual workforce draws employers Kingston is becoming a clean-tech hub Lanark County is home to innovation and entrepreneurship Leeds Grenville is a transportation hub Pembroke punches above its population weight Petawawa’s disposable income draws businesses Prescott and Russell is all agriculture and SMEs Renfrew County has a broad range of manufacturers Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry offer manufacturing and history

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STUFF: 10 of the coolest things made in Eastern Ontario

Propelling Eastern Ontario’s businesses: Learn how entrepreneurs are gaining an inside advantage in this special marketing feature on page 34

5 THE INNOVATION CENTRE LE CENTRE D’INNOVATION

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All content of Ottawa Business Journal is copyright 2021.

Great River Media Inc. and may not be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher. Publisher’s Liability for error: The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with any advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of monies paid for the advertisement.

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Prospectus

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Celine Paquette, 613-238-1818 ext. 252 celine@greatriver.ca

Great River Media, 250 City Centre Ave., Suite 500, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6K7 obj.ca

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EDITOR Jennifer Campbell, 613-291-2901 jenn@jenncampbell.ca

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tanya Connolly-Holmes, 613-238-1818 ext. 253 creative@greatriver.ca

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PROSPECTUS

Could COVID-19 spark the regional economy?

The inaugural issue of Eastern Ontario Business Journal comes at a very unique time in our collective history, as COVID-19 disrupts our lives, threatens our health and undermines our businesses.

Like all crises, the status quo is interrupted.

Old ways are falling by the wayside. People are reconsidering their priorities and making different decisions.

Could this bring about the biggest economic development opportunity that Eastern Ontario has seen in decades?

With the pandemic pushing most white-collar workers to work-from-home status, a generational shift is happening in the workplace. Instead of zooming down Hwy. 417 to Kanata business parks or downtown office towers, workers are Zooming into meetings with other geographically dispersed colleagues.

This newfound freedom has many reconsidering

where they live. For a good number of Ottawans, this means moving to a small city, quaint town or a country estate.

Even in modest numbers, this migration could spark local economies across Eastern Ontario, communities that are eager for new residents, new spending and possibly new business investments.

There are multiple trends converging at once.

Start with Ottawa’s red-hot housing market.

The average price of a single-detached home has broken through the $600,000-threshold, greatly outpacing median household incomes. First-time homebuyers are looking further afield to house their young families. Any increase to historically low interest rates could transform this migration trickle into a torrent, like the mighty Ottawa River in springtime.

Combined with the steady march of technology innovation – take software-as-a-service, secure cloud storage and virtual office phone systems

as examples – an employee can be just as productive from their Prescott kitchen table as their Kanata office cubicle.

The missing part of the puzzle is ubiquitous high-speed internet access, perhaps now as critical as John A. Macdonald’s transcontinental railway of the 1880s. Even here, change is near.

After years of modest progress in high-speed internet access, new technology is coming to market, like the low-Earth-orbit satellites from Ottawa-based Telesat in 2022.

Years from now, looking back, it’s possible the pandemic will be seen as the start of an economic rejuvenation across Eastern Ontario.

@objpublisher Michael Curran

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Wherever business takes you

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The business landscape has changed. No matter the industry sector, market location or specific business challenge you face, MNP continues to grow across Eastern Ontario to ensure we’re here for you – where and when you need us.

Find an advisor near you at MNP.ca/offices Brockville | Cornwall | Gatineau | Kingston | Hawkesbury | Ottawa

MNP.ca

OVERVIEW

Omid McDonald says his commute from Ottawa to Almonte, where he set up his business, Dairy Distillery, always puts him in a “nice frame of mind.”

Apart from the town’s vibe, there are other advantages. “This place really welcomes new businesses,” McDonald says. “If we’d set up shop in Ottawa, the project, with all the [waits for] getting permits and permissions, would have been delayed at least a year.”

That business-friendly attitude seems to be boosting business activity in the town, even in a time of pandemic. “You feel momentum,” McDonald says. “Even [with] COVID, the downtown has had a better year than ever. There’s lots of residential and business construction. My 23 employees are very happy to be here.”

McDonald is more than happy to help spread the good news about business and investment opportunities in Eastern Ontario.

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Living and working away from the rat race of big cities is now being embraced by telecommuters, but those who’ve set up businesses and their lives in Eastern Ontario have known the benefits all along.

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ach weekday, Omid McDonald leaves his home in Ottawa’s west end, gets in his car and drives to work at the Dairy Distillery, a new business he and his partners opened in Almonte a couple of years ago.

“I’m on the road about half an hour — and that’s amazing in itself,” McDonald says.

“In rush hour, it could take the same amount of time just to get to downtown Ottawa.”

As he comes off the highway into Almonte, he passes the town’s welcome sign. “That alone puts me in a nice frame of mind,” he says. “The whole town, with its amazing restaurants and coffee shops and the laid-back people, puts me immediately in a comfort zone. I am there to work, but also to enjoy life. And it happens.”

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Doing business in the ‘comfort zone’

BY CHARLES ENMAN

OVERVIEW

In 2016, Brockville’s Canarm added an automated production line for blower wheels for ventilation products. This equipment produces wheels in as few as 45 seconds with no human intervention, taking advantage of the latest technology and robotics.

secondary institutions with campuses in communities across the region. These range from Queen’s University, satellite campuses of Algonquin College, St. Lawrence College, Royal Military College of Canada, among others.

And finally, there’s the quality of life of the area. “You know, a lot of people are exiting the large cities to find the quiet life that typifies Eastern Ontario,” King says.

“Some are small business entrepreneurs, many of them running small tech companies, who can work anywhere. And then there are the people whose job allows them to work remotely from the office — they can live here happily, and go to their companies’ big city offices every two weeks, as needed.”

What they find in Eastern Ontario is a relaxed rural way of life where one can quickly join the community in a meaningful way, enjoy boating on the many lakes and rivers, and, in many communities, enjoy cultural engagement through the community theatres, concert halls and food and beverage-tasting tours found in the region.

THE COST FACTOR

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Chris King is president of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission.

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This Canarm employee is working on one of the company’s production lines. The company has 170 total employees at its facility in Brockville.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES Power Book has spoken to people from six counties and seven cities in Eastern Ontario. We have concentrated on the region surrounding Ottawa, encompassing everything from Renfrew County on the west end to Prescott-Russell on the east, as well as the communities to the south that run along the St. Lawrence Seaway. The story everywhere seems to be the same.

Communities and counties throughout the region are pulling together to let the world know Eastern Ontario, not always

thought of as an economic powerhouse, has advantages that make it far more competitive with larger, more populated centres than most realize.

No one tells that story with more fervour than Chris King, president of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission.

“We’re all bullish on the business opportunities in this region,” he says. “I mean, we have so many advantages.”

First is geographical location. Eastern Ontario is within easy reach of the three

largest cities in Central Canada: Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Some 50 million potential customers, many on the U.S. side, live within 800 kilometres.

Second, Eastern Ontario has amazing infrastructure to serve the needs of business. Multi-lane highways and access to rail, airports and deepwater seaports provide all forms of transportation.

Third, there is a manufacturing sector and a skilled workforce in place that can support new businesses that come in. And those manufacturers already in place have developed supply-chain partners that can serve new arrivals.

Fourth, there are several post-

Establishing a business in Eastern Ontario is particularly low cost, as shown in a study by the Boyd Company, which advises companies on site selection for manufacturing facilities. Boyd looked at 24 regions in the U.S. and Canada and found that Eastern Ontario was the least expensive of all. Operating costs for a 350,000-square-foot production facility employing 500 workers ranged from a high of $42.5 million in Silicon Valley down to a low of $27.5 million in Eastern Ontario.

That’s more than a third lower than the highest price.

Accounting firm KPMG has found that business operating costs in Toronto are 12.3 per cent higher than in Eastern Ontario communities. Industrially zoned land in Eastern Ontario can be had for an average of $30,000 an acre, far lower than in larger urban centres. Office lease rates are a third lower than Canadian and U.S. averages.

Production workers in the region are paid up to 20 per cent less than their counterparts in Toronto. Turnover and absenteeism rates are both low, indicating a workforce that is loyal and eager to work.

And workers will find purchasing a house easier in Eastern Ontario than in

OVERVIEW I treasure the region’s proximity to Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, and to two border crossings to the U.S. But all of us treasure the way of life here.

— Jim Cooper, president of Canarm

GOVERNMENT’S ON SIDE

businesses in the region were in the face of economic difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “They demonstrated the best of the Ontario spirit,” the minister said. “As we progress further along the path to a full economic recovery, our government will remain committed to the growth and development of this vital economic region.”

In Brockville, Jim Cooper, president of Canarm, which manufactures fans, lighting and related environmental products, joins the chorus.

“I am glad to be here, and my

impression is that our employees feel exactly the same way,” he said.

“I treasure the region’s proximity to Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, and to two border crossings to the United States.

But all of us treasure the way of life here.

It’s a wonderful place to raise a family.

Here, you can live quite well and quite cheaply. The [St. Lawrence] River is a wonderful place to spend your down time.

“If any business is thinking of locating in this region, I can only give my highest recommendation to proceed.”

TOP: Much of Eastern Ontario is minutes from a bridge to the United States, including this one — the Thousand Islands International Bridge.

BOTTOM: Eastern Ontario is home or near to 12 post-secondary institutions, including Kingston’s Queen’s University, which has a number of innovative programs that partner with business.

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The provincial government has the back of any entrepreneur or businessperson looking to locate in Eastern Ontario.

Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli told Power Book that the government took note of how innovative

Photo by Dave Rideout, Queen’s University

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most other regions. The average house costs roughly $300,000 — only a third of what one might pay in Toronto — though the work-from-anywhere movement is edging those prices up. Cornwall saw a 67 per cent increase in housing prices between January 2020 and January 2021.

Looking for a factory? There are a number of vacant factories in the region waiting for the right entrepreneurial hand to put them back in operation.

If you need a bilingual workforce, Eastern Ontario is one of the best places in Canada to be. Hawkesbury, for example, where 67 per cent of the population speaks English and French, can easily find workers for any call centre that needs to deliver services in both languages.

Bob Peters, manager of Cornwall Economic Development sums up the region’s advantages succinctly: “We are a full-service region without the headaches of more developed regions.”

For Peters, the region’s best features are the low entry costs for business and the quality of life enjoyed by its residents.

“Here, you can work hard and really succeed in business and still know you’re only five minutes away, at any moment, from your boat or the first tee.”

BROCKVILLE

Manufacturing boom in the ‘City of the 1000 Islands’ Robust transportation links and affordable living are fuelling manufacturing growth in this city on the St. Lawrence.

BY PAULA ROY

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ituated midway between Toronto and Montreal, Brockville is the eastern gateway to the 1000 Islands and one of the oldest and most charming cities in Ontario. Initially called Elizabethtown, Brockville was first established in 1787 and now attracts visitors from around the world who are eager to explore the “City of the 1000 Islands” and the mighty St. Lawrence River.

While its rich history and beautiful surroundings are big tourism draws, the production manufacturing industry is actually the fastest-growing sector of Brockville’s economy today. Three significant employers — Canarm Ltd., Northern Cables and 3M — have recently undertaken expansions to increase their production and warehousing capabilities.

The manufacturing industry in the region is highly diversified, with other companies, such as Trillium Health Care Products (pharmaceuticals) and Burnbrae Farms (food products), also providing employment in the city.

Of course, any products being manufactured need to be transported to distributors or marketplaces and, as a result, the logistics and transportation sectors of Brockville’s economy are growing in tandem. Advantages to doing business in the area include multiple robust transportation links by road and

rail as well as affordability, particularly when contrasted with larger urban centres. The average home purchase price is $398,124 (up 35.8 per cent from January 2020 partly as a result of the pandemic’s work-from-anywhere movement) and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $872 a month.

“Brockville is a favoured location for employees as well as employers,” explains Rob Nolan, the city’s economic development officer. “The quality of life is very appealing, thanks to abundant recreational facilities on land and on the St. Lawrence. The steady growth in our employment sector is drawing more young families to the area and they appreciate the availability of terrific schools and great health care, supported by our hospital’s recent expansion.”

Meeting the surging demand for labour across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, remains a challenge for Brockville. “We are seeing a need for both skilled and unskilled labour and have implemented a number of businesssupport and education programs to address these shortages,” Nolan says.

“Through the Pathways to Production program, companies are identifying the skillsets they need, then the appropriate training is developed to get employees ready to fill those jobs.”

Brockville’s St. Lawrence College

POPULATION IN BROCKVILLE

21,346

Brockville’s D&D Promotions offers screen printing and signage. campus is contributing to skills development initiatives, particularly in the area of skilled trades and microcredentials, in addition to its programs in health care, business administration and more. The city has also been working with the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership as part of its efforts to boost its workforce. It’s a strategic move to ensure that the talent pipeline is large and strong enough to meet local industry demands and provide a source of new entrepreneurs.

Brockville is proud to be a World Health Organization designated Safe Community; it was the first in Ontario and second in Canada to earn this distinction.

With an eye firmly fixed on the future, Brockville is currently well-positioned

DEMOGRAPHICS

46.5 Median age

9.6% Unemployment rate

Fair Jeanne is a tall ship that often visits Brockville. to capitalize on its assets, including multifaceted transportation networks, excellent labour and a thriving local business community that collaborates on best practices.

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$29,167

Business opportunities ‣ Brockville has some employment lands available for sale with zero development charges.

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CONTACT

‣ The former Procter & Gamble Inc. location, a 700,000-square-foot building, is for sale.

Rob Nolan Economic development officer

‣ 150 million-plus customers available within one day’s trucking.

613-342-8772 rnolan@brockville.com

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brockville.com/ economic-development

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

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Description

Key customers

3M Canada Company 60 California Ave., Brockville, ON K6V 7N5 613-498-5900 www.3mcanada.ca

300

This manufacturer’s local site produces a variety of products that are recognized around the world, including N95 masks.

Large retailers

Trillium Health Care Products Inc. 2337 Parkedale Ave., Brockville, ON K6V 5W5 613-342-4436 trilliumhcp.com

250

Trillium is a product formulator and contract manufacturer of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products.

Pharmaceutical companies across North America

Northern Cables Inc. 50 California Ave., Brockville, ON K6V 6E6 613-345-1594 northerncables.com

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Northern Cable manufactures armoured and jacketed cabling systems for large-volume customers.

Electrical distributors and government contractors

Newterra Ltd. 1291 California Ave., Brockville, ON K6V 5Y6 1-800-420-4056 www.newterra.com

200

Newterra designs and manufactures equipment for water control and filtration.

Municipalities and private developers

Canarm Ltd. 2157 Parkedale Ave., Brockville, ON K6V 5V6 613-342-5424 www.canarm.com

170

This global company specializes in lighting and ventilation systems; the recently expanded Brockville facility makes commercial/industrial HVAC products.

Wholesalers, retailers and distributors

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TRANSPORTATION LINKS

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1 Located on Highway 401 with two interchanges

1 Manufacturing

2 Two bridges to U.S., each fewer than 30 minutes away

2 Logistics/Transportation

3 Highway 416 to Ottawa just 27 kilometres east of Brockville 4 Regular passenger and freight rail service

FUN FACT Brockville is home to Canada’s oldest railway tunnel; the half-kilometre structure was built to facilitate moving goods from ships on the St. Lawrence River to Ottawa in the mid-1800s. It was re-opened as a tourist attraction in 2018.

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5 Deep-water port 19 kilometres east of Brockville

INDUSTRIES

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# of Employees

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CORNWALL

The hub city’s thriving economy offers a world of possibilities This border city is Eastern Ontario’s growing hub for multinational companies thanks to its available and affordable land and its transportation links.

BY PAULA ROY

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ornwall is best described as a vibrant city with robust business opportunities, a great lifestyle and abundant amenities. Its scenic natural setting on the banks of the St. Lawrence River with plentiful year-round recreational possibilities makes it an attractive place to live, and its location right on central Canada’s primary rail and road corridors adds to its appeal as a business destination.

Stability is the name of the game here, thanks to three thriving commercial sectors: logistics, food processing and manufacturing. With Highway 401 at your doorstep, the Seaway International Bridge to the United States in your backyard, a high-energy workforce and low operating costs, establishing a business in Cornwall would be a smart move for almost any enterprise.

Cornwall companies benefit from some of the lowest operating costs

in Ontario, such as low development charges and utility fees, including electrical rates as much as 25 per cent below those of other communities. The Cornwall Business Park is well set up for logistic enterprises and the region is acknowledged as one of Canada’s main hubs for supply-chain operations.

The Cornwall area is already home to a number of world-class employers, many of which have steadily increased their workforce over the past decade. Indeed, employment growth has been seen across a wide range of sectors.

It’s a good problem to have, but success is actually presenting some challenges, according to Bob Peters, division manager with Cornwall Economic Development. “Our issues at this time include low unemployment, which results in a tight workforce market, a lack of built industrial space and ongoing soft demand for commercial/ office space. On the plus side, however,

POPULATION IN CORNWALL

47,000

113,000 across the counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry

we have an abundance of available, affordable land [for commercial and industrial purposes]; in fact, we are one of the only urban centres with significant parcels remaining. We also have a good amount of available built commercial space — everything from offices to larger spaces suitable for call centres, indoor mall and big-box or power-centre space.”

An added benefit of doing business in Cornwall is the synergy between various industries. Full support for a wide range of enterprises is available thanks to a complex logistics network that includes distribution centres and warehousing, transportation companies, commercial garages and other service providers.

There is also strong support for labour training, in conjunction through the local campus of St. Lawrence College and local providers of training and employment support programs such as the Eastern Ontario Training Board.

To top things off, the community

DEMOGRAPHICS Higher average age, slightly lower than average wage levels and education rates, although improving; low unemployment rate.

boasts quality bilingual schools, efficient transit, comprehensive high-speed internet, a strong retail sector and performing arts offerings that embrace English, French and First Nations cultures.

When you choose Cornwall, you can say goodbye to big-city issues such as traffic, crime and expensive parking.

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$26,644

Business opportunities 1

‣ Available, affordable and serviced land

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‣ Immediate access to Highway 401 ‣ Affordable housing for employees and families

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CORNWALL

Description

Key customers

Distribution centre for the big-box retailer

Walmart stores in Central and Eastern Canada

Walmart Logistics 1501 Industrial Park Dr., Cornwall, ON K6H 7M4 613-933-8664 www.walmart.ca

3,000

Olymel Cornwall Bacon Plant 2330 Industrial Park Dr., Cornwall, ON K6H 7N1 613-932-3040 www.olymel.ca

400

Meat-processing facility (bacon)

Retailers and restaurants

Ridgewood Industries Ltd. 3305 Loyalist St., Cornwall, ON K6H 6W6 613-937-0711 www.ameriwoodhome.com

350

Manufacturer of ready-to-assemble furniture

Retailers across North America

Morbern Inc 80 Boundary Rd., Cornwall, ON K6H 5V3 613-932-8811 morbern.com

300

Manufacturer of vinyl-coated fabrics

Automotive and furniture manufacturers

SigmaPoint Technologies Inc A2880 Marleau Ave., Cornwall, ON K6H 6B5 613-937-4462 www.sigmapoint.com

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Contract electronic manufacturer for several sectors

The medical, aerospace, defence and energy sectors

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1 Highway 401

1 Logistics (Walmart, Benson, Shoppers Drug Mart/Loblaw)

1 Be on the tee or on your boat 10 minutes after leaving the office.

2 Food processing (Olymel, Leclerc, Lallemand)

2 No traffic and most employees do not pay for parking

3 Manufacturing (Morbern, Ridgewood, Laframboise)

3 40 kilometres of dedicated traffic-free cycling paths along the St. Lawrence River

2 Rail (VIA and CN) 3 Bridge to the United States

INDUSTRIES

FUN FACTS

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TRANSPORTATION LINKS

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# of Employees

Bob Peters Cornwall Economic Development bpeters@cornwall.ca 613-551-6715 www.choosecornwall.ca

TOP 5 PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

CONTACT

FRONTENAC COUNTY

Picturesque region sees lifestyle-related influx Culinary, wilderness and telecommuting adventures are all on offer in Frontenac County.

BY PHIL GAUDREAU

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dventure-seekers already head to Frontenac County for its provincial parks, bike trails, beaches and more.

They’ve done so for years. But more recently, the county’s economic development team has been welcoming another type of adventurer: entrepreneurs and businesspeople demanding a better quality of life.

“The top reason we consistently hear from business owners about why they’re here is that Frontenac County offers easy access to a lifestyle [they] enjoy,” says Alison Vandervelde, the county’s acting manager of economic development.

“They can work remotely, and when they finish for the day they’re just steps away from pristine wilderness.”

And there are plenty of business opportunities that stem from that wilderness — think agri-tourism, cottage, resort and sporting rentals. Vandervelde says the county’s continued investment in the 22-kilometre K&P Trail is an asset that supports economic activity, tourism and community connections.

Frontenac County is also noted for its agricultural products, particularly among small-scale, ethically minded producers who serve local communities such as nearby Kingston. That focus on local doesn’t stop at the doorstep or the dinner table, however.

“We have a supportive community of

Frontenac County specializes in adventure tourism. residents, and it goes hand-in-hand with our supportive business community,” Vandervelde adds. “Business owners can’t believe how friendly everyone is, and their neighbours are constantly looking out for them.”

The “local-first” mentality has continued throughout COVID-19. The owners of an all-local grocery store, Food Less Travelled, started a pantry at the end of their driveway to help their neighbours in the early months of the pandemic.

“Businesses led a lot of the early COVID initiatives,” Vandervelde says.

For those seeking to set up shop in Frontenac County, there are few different

POPULATION IN FRONTENAC

27,000

lifestyle options, from small villages in the far northern extremities of the county, to more established communities such as Sharbot Lake, which is steps from the Trans-Canada Highway. There are rural neighbourhoods just north of Kingston and, for something a little more exotic, there are larger islands such as Wolfe Island along the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Wayne Robinson, owner of W.A. Robinson Asset Management Ltd., returned to Sharbot Lake after a bit of globetrotting following university. He said his hometown offers a strategic location, a beautiful setting and all the essentials.

“The pandemic has proven you can

DEMOGRAPHICS

53.4

Median age

58%

9.1%

Unemployment rate

Percentage of population with post-secondary education

Agri-tourism from small-scale, ethicallyminded producers, such as Christina and Jason Pyke of Pykeview Meadows, is big in Frontenac. PHOTO BY SUZY LAMONT work in a lot of places and you don’t need to be in a highrise office building,” he says.

“If you find a property and like living in small towns or communities, Frontenac is breathtakingly beautiful. If you like the outdoors, it’s a wonderful place to be.”

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$40,681

Business opportunities ‣ Sharbot Lake is hoping for a VIA Rail station as part of a future federal budget. ‣ The Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation is a resource for new businesses. ‣ Frontenac wants to develop ‘astral tourism’ to take advantage of its clear skies.

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

1 2 3 4

7

2 3 6

8 9 0

CONTACT Richard Allen

Manager of Economic Development, County of Frontenac 613-548-9400 ext. 330 Mobile: 613-483-9767 rallen@frontenaccounty.ca

Description

Key customers

C FRONTENA

W.A. Robinson Asset Management Ltd. 14216 Road 38, Sharbot Lake, ON K0H 2P0 613-279-2116 www.robinsonsgroup.com

50

Since 1980, W. A. Robinson Asset Management Ltd. has been providing top-quality financial advice from Sharbot Lake. This family firm successfully transitioned from founder, Wayne Robinson, to his son, Matthew Robinson, in 2014. It offers asset management, mortgage investments and financial planning.

Serving 4,500 clients across Canada

Trousdale’s Foodland, Home Hardware and General Store 4468 George St., Sydenham, ON K0H 2T0 613-376-6666 www.homehardware.ca/ store/10746

40

The Trousdale family operates Canada’s oldest general store, serving the Sydenham area since 1836. The family also operates the local Home Hardware and Foodland franchises.

The Trousdale retail territory mainly covers the Sydenham and South Frontenac area. However, the General Store is a minor tourist attraction for visitors passing through the region.

Seed to Sausage 12821 Road 38, Sharbot Lake, ON K0H 2P0 613-279-2455 www.seedtosausage.ca

14

Military veteran Mike McKenzie developed a taste for highquality artisanal meats during his trips abroad. He learned from the best in Europe and returned home in 2011 to found Seed to Sausage.

Seed to Sausage ships its product across Ontario and operates a storefront on Gladstone Avenue in Ottawa.

Patchwork Gardens 4649 Milburn Rd., Battersea, ON K0H 1H0 613-653-0005 www.patchworkgardens.ca

7

Patchwork was founded in 2004, uniting three friends fresh out of university. From humble beginnings, Patchwork Gardens is now a large farming operation growing certified organic vegetables.

Patchwork supplies numerous grocery stores and restaurants across Frontenac County and Kingston, or customers can order online directly from its website.

Mobile Kitchens Canada 3790 Davidson Side Rd., Inverary, ON K0H 1X0 613-353-6069 mobilekitchenscanada.com

6

Starting from a single kitchen, Mobile Kitchens Canada includes a fleet of mobile kitchens ready to deploy temporary foodservice solutions across Canada and even across the U.S. with its sister company American Mobile Kitchens.

MKC works with event planners, disaster management professionals, utility organizations, construction crews and more.

2

TRANSPORTATION LINKS

TOP

1 Highway 7 (Trans-Canada)

1 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

2 Highway 401 3 Wolfe, Howe and Simcoe Islands are accessible by ferry

2 Construction

FUN FACT North Frontenac Township has the darkest skies in southern Ontario — perfect for star gazing.

North Frontenac is Canada’s first municipality to receive Dark Sky Preserve status from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The observation pad is open to the public year-round.

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4 Norman Rogers Airport in Kingston

INDUSTRIES

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# of Employees

1

4 5

GANANOQUE

Town’s development efforts pay dividends This waterfront town is an ideal place to make a living and make a life.

BY PAULA ROY

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nternationally renowned as the “Gateway to the 1000 Islands,” the Town of Gananoque is recognized as one of Eastern Ontario’s most stunning waterfront communities and its beauty has helped it develop into a world-class destination for businesses, residents and travellers. Described as “the small town that thinks big,” Gananoque’s solid economic base depends on a mix of commercial, service industries, manufacturing and tourism.

The municipality has been focusing its economic development efforts on high-tech for the past several years, with notable successes. Offering boutique financial technology (fintech) solutions for capital markets and enterprises, an anchor tenant is the company known as big river technologies, which is set up in a snazzy downtown building that was recently completely refurbished by a local builder. Just a few blocks away, SN Technologies is garnering intense interest as a global company that develops industry-leading facial recognition tools and other solutions, using biometrically engineered pattern recognition technology.

POPULATION IN GANANOQUE

5,159

Among Gananoque’s strategic initiatives as outlined in its new fiveyear plan is identifying and servicing business land to support development opportunities and increase the town’s assessment base while facilitating job creation. The town has identified six key target sectors and it’s getting traction with each of them, including entrepreneurism, tourism and hospitality, knowledge/ creative economy, medical and medical manufacturing, niche manufacturing/ supply-chain opportunities and hightech. Having fibre-optic cabling available to all homes and businesses helps to make the town attractive to businesses.

Satisfying the demand for skilled labour is an ongoing issue, just as it is for its regional counterparts, but Gananoque’s proximity to five leading universities — Queen’s, Carleton, Ottawa, Concordia and McGill — plus three colleges, makes talent recruitment easier.

“Locally, the KEYS job centre [in Elgin] also provides skills training and there is ongoing dialogue with business to find out what their labour needs are,” explains Amanda Trafford, the town’s economic development co-ordinator. “Fortunately, we are starting to see a shift where some

Gananoque has a variety of attractions, including beaches, a scenic cycling pathway and perforrmances at the Thousand Islands Playhouse, pictured above.

PHOTO BY STEPHEN WILD

younger people who left the region are returning and others are migrating here from larger centres when they realize it’s a great place to raise a family, so that should provide some labour relief for our businesses.”

“COVID has really reinforced the importance of living life at a gentler pace in a safe, welcoming community.

Everyone here appreciates the interconnectedness we enjoy with the neighbouring township of Leeds and the 1000 Islands, which offer tremendous recreational possibilities including hiking and biking,” she adds.

This rural community offers a variety of attractions unique to the region, including a scenic cycling path along the 1000 Islands Parkway, beautiful beaches, outstanding performances at the Thousand Islands Playhouse and one of Ontario’s most prominent golf courses, Smuggler’s Glen. And it’s all available at lower costs than in urban areas. The

DEMOGRAPHICS

47.2

Median age

8.4%

Unemployment rate

average price for a small family home is $300,000 while a one-bedroom apartment rents for $1,000. Locals seem to agree Gananoque is the ideal community in which to make a living and a life.

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$31,646

Business opportunities ‣ L ocated on a key national transportation corridor

1 7

‣ A n economic development team that fully supports businesses

1 2 3 4

Amanda Trafford Economic development coordinator

Description

Key customers

E

GANANOQU

Cardinal Health 215 Herbert St., Gananoque, ON K7G 2Y7 905-417-2900 www.cardinalhealth.ca

450

Cardinal Health makes more than a billion medical and healthcare products and devices per year. It is the single largest producer of electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes in the world.

Hospitals as well as long-term and continuing care facilities

Shorelines Casino 380 ON-2, Gananoque, ON K7G 2V4 613-382-6800 shorelinescasinos.com/ thousand-islands

275

This small casino located on the outskirts of Gananoque is now owned and operated by the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, which is owned by Apollo Global Management, an investment fund.

Local residents and visitors to the region

Home Hardware 875 Stone St. N., Gananoque, ON K7G 3E4 613-382-3386 www.homehardware.ca/ store/14407

127

At 85,000 square feet, this Gananoque store is one of the largest Home Hardware locations in Canada, offering a heated indoor drive-thru lumber yard, kitchen design services, furniture and appliances in addition to seasonal and hardware items.

Local residents and visitors to the area

Metro 333 King St. E., Gananoque, ON K7G 1G6 613-382-7090 www.metro.ca/en/ find-a-grocery/243

100

A grocery store offering friendly service and a wide array of goods, including meat, produce, prepared meals, packaged foods, plus bakery and deli goods.

Local residents and visitors to the area

Carveth Care Centre 375 James St., Gananoque, ON K7G 2Z1 613-382-4752 gibsonfamilyhealthcare. com/carveth-care-centre

80

A long-term care and seniors’ assisted-living home, Carveth Care Centre provides an affordable, active lifestyle for seniors during their retirement years and high-quality care for residents requiring continued long-term accommodations.

Retirees and those requiring long-term care

2

TRANSPORTATION LINKS

TOP

1 2 3 4

1 Tourism

Located on Highway 401 Two nearby U.S. border crossings 35 minutes to Kingston’s airport Regular VIA Rail passenger service

INDUSTRIES

2 Medical manufacturing

FUN FACTS 1 It’s called “the gateway to the 1000 Islands,” but there are actually 1,864 islands that make up this region.

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2 A heritage advisory panel is working to preserve the many historical buildings, adding to Gananoque’s charm.

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5

CONTACT

613-382-2149 x 1125 businesscoordinator@gananoque.ca gananoque.ca/invest-in-gananoque

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS # of Employees

6

8 9 0

‣ A 15-minute drive from the Canada/U.S. border

Company

2 3

4 5

HAWKESBURY

Location and a bilingual workforce drive this eastern economy It may be small, but Hawkesbury offers important advantages to companies hoping to serve customers in Montreal and Ottawa.

BY CHARLES ENMAN

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ith its prime location within the Toronto-Montreal corridor, its bilingual workforce and its low real estate costs, Hawkesbury offers an ideal location for new businesses looking for such attributes.

“We have over 4.7 million people living within a 100-kilometre radius of our town,” says Dominique Dussault, chief administrative officer of the Town of Hawkesbury. “In many ways, this makes us an ideal location for businesses in the manufacturing, transportation and retail sectors.”

One might say it’s location, location, location. Hawkesbury is midway between Ottawa and Montreal. With many major highways nearby, and major cities and the American border only an hour away by car, Hawkesbury helps drive the economy of the region and of the surrounding United Counties of PrescottRussell. Indeed, with its more than 10,000

residents, Hawkesbury is the largest town in the united counties.

The Long Sault Bridge — the only interprovincial bridge between Ontario and Quebec east of Ottawa — links the town to Grenville, Que., to the north.

Vehicles leaving the town can, within minutes, reach Highway 50 and Route 148 in Quebec.

Any company seeking a bilingual workforce will find Hawkesbury — where 67.3 per cent of the population speaks English and French, making it the thirdmost bilingual town in Ontario — the perfect location to set down roots.

Hawkesbury also has very low real estate costs, well below those of the metropolitan areas nearby. The town offers some of the lowest hydro rates in Ontario and numerous amenities and services, including a library, arena, swimming pool, sports centre and the largest hospital in the region.

Hawkesbury has long been

POPULATION IN HAWKESBURY

10,000

Hawkesbury is located within the Montreal-Toronto corridor and has a bilingual workforce and low real estate costs.

Hawkesbury has long been sympathetic to “green” businesses and has worked to become a green energy leader in Canada. sympathetic to “green” businesses. For the 10 years that the Green Energy Act of Ontario was in force (it was repealed in 2019), the town worked to become a green energy leader in North America.

DEMOGRAPHICS

67.3%

speak French and English

38%

9.6%

Unemployment rate

Percentage of population with post-secondary education

There are investment opportunities in the town’s “brownfield” locations — abandoned or underutilized properties that may need some environmental remediation.

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$25,475

Business opportunities ‣ O ne of the highest levels of bilingualism in the province

1

2 3

4 5 7

6

8 9 0

‣ Proximity to Ottawa and Montreal ‣ An hour away from the U.S. border

CONTACT Dominique Dussault Chief administrative officer, Town of Hawkesbury ddussault@hawkesbury.ca 613-632-0106 www.hawkesbury.ca

RY HAWKESBU

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

1 2 3 4

Description

Key customers

Biscuits Leclerc makes cookies, snack bars and crackers in eight facilities across Canada and the United States.

Food retailers

Biscuits Leclerc 1432 Aberdeen St., Hawkesbury, ON K6A 1K7 613-632-0777 leclerc.ca

150

IKO Industries Ltd. 1451 Spence Ave., Hawkesbury, ON K6A 3T4 613-632-8581 www.iko.com

110

IKO is a leading producer of roofing and related products with numerous plants in North America and Europe. The Hawkesbury plant opened in 1976.

Building contractors

Tulmar Safety Systems Inc. 1123 Cameron St., Hawkesbury, ON K6A 2B8 613-632-1282 www.tulmar.com

82

Tulmar designs, manufactures and distributes engineered protective textiles, survivability and safety solutions such as seatbelts and survival kits for airplanes, inflatable products and protective covers for defence equipment such as tanks.

Aerospace, defence and public security industries

Montebello Packaging 1036 Aberdeen St., Hawkesbury, ON K6A 1K5 613-632-7096 www.montebellopkg.com

Would not disclose

Montebello Packaging, an operating division of The Jim Pattison Group, manufactures packaging for the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries.

Pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics manufacturers

Ampak Plast Inc. 1233 Cameron St., Hawkesbury, ON K6A 3S8 613-632-0622 www.ampak.ca

Would not disclose

Ampak is a manufacturing company that produces high-quality bottles, jars and packaging components from plastics and glass for a range of sectors. The company has plants and sales offices in several locations in Canada and in Shanghai.

Food and beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial, automotive and health and beauty producers

2

TRANSPORTATION LINKS

TOP

INDUSTRIES

1 Hawkesbury Airport

1 Manufacturing

2 Hawkesbury (East) Airport

2 Retail

FUN FACT

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Hawkesbury was named after a minister of the colonies in the British cabinet, Charles Jenkinson, the Baron of Hawkesbury. “Hawks” is a family name and “bury” originally meant castle.

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5

# of Employees

KINGSTON

Building a greener, healthier economy Kingston used to rely on its looks but recent investment in clean-tech are paying off.

BY PHIL GAUDREAU

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hen you’re one of Canada’s oldest cities, with ample heritage and natural attractions, you could be forgiven for focusing all your economic development energies on tourism. But a community cannot thrive on tourism alone, as the COVID-19 pandemic has surely shown. Fortunately for Kingston, a decade-long emphasis on environmental sustainability and efforts to diversify the local economy are paying off.

“Kingston and the surrounding area are known for beautiful waterfront access points,” says Ian Murdoch, business development officer with Kingston Economic Development Corporation.

“This is what makes our tourism industry such an important part of our culture. But what is often a surprising realization by our business and international travellers is the amount of energy, innovation and support Kingston and our partners embody for industry.”

Case in point: The federal government recently announced funding for Kingston to become a centre of health innovation.

The project unites the city government, its health-care and post-secondary institutions and local incubator GreenCentre Canada to position Kingston as a place to develop, test and

commercialize innovative health-care solutions.

The city has also been forging ahead with plans to become Canada’s most sustainable city. In recent months, Kingston has welcomed vertical farming startup Local Leaf Farms and worked with Mississauga-based Li-Cycle Corporation to expand its battery recycling research and development operations in Kingston.

“Li-Cycle is proud to bring our sustainable technologies to Kingston, as well as contribute to the growth of the cleantech industry,” says Ajay Kochhar, CEO and co-founder of Li-Cycle. “We’re committed to the decarbonization economy in Kingston and around the world.”

These successes reflect the region’s efforts to harness the knowledge of its highly educated local workforce. With the presence of three post-secondary institutions, Kingston boasts a higherthan-average number of individuals with graduate degrees and a wide range of college and university-aged students seeking employment.

Businesses coming to town aren’t just finding eager and educated help, however. They have also found a stable local economy, primarily driven by Kingston’s strong public sector. Kingston’s

POPULATION IN KINGSTON

169,606

top employers include the military, jails, hospitals, the municipality and the postsecondary institutions.

“We integrate workforce development, intellectual support and industry experts to ensure Kingston-based businesses set off on the right foot,” Murdoch adds.

“In the morning, you can be getting mentorship from a world-class export manufacturer and in the afternoon sitting with market-analysis experts.”

Entrepreneurs are also capitalizing on Kingston’s strategic location — reflected in the 1841 choice of Kingston as Canada’s first capital. In addition to its

DEMOGRAPHICS

41.9

Median age

52.6%

5.9%

Unemployment rate

Percentage of population with post-secondary education

close proximity to Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal along major highways, Kingston boasts rail access, a local airport and access to the St. Lawrence Seaway.

And if you’re looking for land, the municipality has established four fully serviced industrial business parks designed to attract industrial and commercial use. Multinational food processing companies such as Frulact Canada and Canada Royal Milk are some of the additions to Kingston’s business parks in recent years, proving that it’s not just sightseers planning stops in the Limestone City.

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$34,763

Business opportunities ‣ Four fully serviced business parks for industrial and commercial use.

1

2 3

4 5 7

6

8 9 0

‣ Low corporate taxes and no development charges and import fees for industrial developments. ‣ Incubators such as GreenCentre Canada, Launch Lab and the Queen’s Startup Runway support businesses.

1 2 3 4

Description

Key customers

KINGSTON

Empire Life 259 King St. E., Kingston, ON K7L 3A8 1-877-548-1881 www.empire.ca

910

As Empire Life approaches its 100-year anniversary, the company remains one of Canada’s top life-insurance companies. Its investment arm turns 10 this year.

Canadians seeking insurance and investment products, as well as brokers

Invista 775 Development Dr., Kingston, ON K7M 4W6 613-384-2626 www.invista.com

600

Invista operates one of the world’s oldest nylon manufacturing plants in Kingston. It is part of an international company that employs 10,000 people in 20 countries.

Manufacturers of fabric-based products such as backpacks, scuba gear, carpets, clothing for military and emergency responders, seatbelts and pillows

Novelis 945 Princess St., Kingston, ON K7L 0E9 613-541-2400 novelis.com

285

Novelis produces flat-rolled aluminum and is the world’s largest recycler of aluminum. Its Kingston plant opened in 1940.

Major brands such as BMW, Ford, GM, Mercedes, Peterbilt and Thyssen Krupp

CanCoil Thermal Corporation 991 John F. Scott Rd., Kingston, ON K7L 4V3 613-541-1235 www.can-coil.com

180

CanCoil is one of North America’s fastest-growing manufacturers of commercial refrigeration products and finned tube coils.

Businesses in the food-processing, warehousing, grocery and computing fields, as well as schools, hospitals, restaurants and health clubs

DuPont 461 Front Rd., Kingston, ON K7M 6T5 613-548-5500 www.dupont.ca

100

DuPont has been in Kingston since 1942. One of the world’s largest textile producers, it operates a technology centre and manufacturing plant in Kingston, which churned out thousands of litres of hand sanitizer in 2020.

Businesses in the nutrition and bioscience, transportation and advanced polymers, safety and construction and electronics and imaging fields

2

TRANSPORTATION LINKS

TOP

1 Highway 401

1 Educational service

2 CN/VIA Rail

2 Health care and social assistance

3 Norman Rogers Airport 4 St. Lawrence Seaway

INDUSTRIES

FUN FACT

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Kingston is home to more than 30 independent research and development labs. Kingston also boasts unique support organizations such as GreenCentre Canada, which provides targeted support to chemical and materials startups and SMEs.

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# of Employees

Shelley Hirstwood Business development officer, Kingston Economic Development Corporation hirstwood@kingstoncanada.com 613-544-2725 ext. 7232 www.kingstonecdev.com

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

CONTACT

LANARK COUNTY

Diverse county shows steady economic growth Innovation and entrepreneurship are helping the region evolve and diversify.

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nchored by the Canadian Shield and bordering on the Ottawa Valley, Lanark County incorporates portions of the Rideau and Mississippi Rivers watersheds that influenced the region’s development. This picturesque part of Ontario encompasses nine municipalities: Perth (the county seat), Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Tay Valley, Lanark Highlands, Montague, Drummond-North Elmsley, Beckwith and Mississippi Mills. Known as “The Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario,” Lanark County’s economy is evolving and diversifying.

The region’s steady growth is enriched by an influx of innovation and entrepreneurship, support for business retention plus accelerated growth in local industries. The economy has also been bolstered by an increase in research and development for manufacturing and intellectual property. “We are pleased to see emerging industries establishing a presence here, including cannabis, plantbased products and service businesses in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital twin and virtual simulation,” says Amber Coville, business development and program officer with the Valley Heartland

Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), which provides economic development services to the area.

With a vibrant innovation cluster, there is a growing market of unique made-inLanark County products. Some of the success stories include Dairy Distillery, Canopy Growth, Eteros and Shandex Personal Care Manufacturing Inc. “Female entrepreneurship thrives here too; companies with female leadership include Sam Bat [a baseball-bat maker] in Carleton Place, [custom manufacturer] Kilmarnock Enterprise in Smiths Falls and Knudsen, a Perth-based business [that produces marine survey technology],” adds Coville.

One of the area’s greatest advantages is its location, close to Ottawa and offering easy access to Highway 401, the TransCanada Highway and three U.S. border crossings. In addition, convenient air and rail links with the rest of North America offer key advantages for businesses.

The challenges that the county and the CFDC are working to address include an aging workforce and a lack of skilled labour, particularly for areas such as health care and manufacturing, where

POPULATION IN LANARK COUNTY

68,698 4.6% growth since 2011

Lanark County incorporates portions of the Rideau and Mississippi Rivers, both of which have influenced its development.

The county boasts a vibrant innovation sector to go along with its natural beauty. upskilling is also needed. Retention is not an issue, but attraction is. Other focus areas are improving broadband access and increasing the stock of entry-level housing. The county’s newly renovated Innovation Centre supports businesses through immersive workforce development experiences, a digital media lab and a training room with embedded virtual-reality sensors. Algonquin College’s satellite campus in Perth is also boosting the area’s ability to find skilled workers in fields such as health care, business, skilled trades and advanced technology.

On the plus side, the region is

DEMOGRAPHICS

44.7

Median age

6.3%

Unemployment rate

benefitting from steady population growth fuelled by the significant inward migration from elsewhere in Ontario. The outlook remains good as anchor industries such as health care, skilled trades and manufacturing continue to experience growing demand. Lanark County has excellent recreational amenities plus a reasonable cost of living, with the average value of a dwelling costing 27 per cent less than the provincial average and 50 per cent less than some larger urban centres. Throughout the county, there is a solid foundation for residential, entrepreneurial, business and job growth.

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$35,805

Business opportunities ‣ C ollaborative climate for innovative, ecologically sustainable and technology-based developments

1

2 3

4 5 7

6

8 9 0

‣ P artnerships to support business development with advice, loans and workforce training ‣ P eaceful lifestyle with ready access to world-class urban amenities within a short drive

SOME OF THE TOP PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

1 2 3 4

Amber Coville Business development and program officer 613-283-7002, ext. 110 info@valleycfdc.com www.valleycfdc.com

UNTY

LANARK CO

Description

Key customers

3,346

The company’s Smiths Falls facility researches and grows, produces and packages various cannabis-related products, including beverages and edibles.

Recreational and medical cannabis consumers and licensed cannabis retailers across Canada

Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. 9094 Cavanagh Rd., Ashton, ON K0A 1B0 613-257-2918 thomascavanagh.ca

More than 800

The company supplies engineering, construction and development services, including field testing and inspection as well as quality aggregate, concrete and asphalt materials. It also operates an extensive fleet of trucks and heavy equipment.

Public- and private-sector developers and builders

Wills Transfer 10 Industrial Rd., Perth, ON K7H 3P2 613-267-4387 willstransfer.com/warehousing/ warehousing-third-party-logistics-3plperth-ontario

200

Wills Transfer is a full-service logistics and warehousing business with multiple locations, including in Perth and Smiths Falls. The company is controlled-goods certified and offers approved security level B storage facilities.

A wide range of manufacturers, retailers and other businesses across North America and beyond, thanks to its global distribution network

The Perth plant makes 3M products, home and leisure products, manufacturing and industry products, office products, health-care products, electronics and electrical products, displays and graphics products and promotions products.

Consumer, commercial and industrial markets

One of the few remaining independent food-service industry distributors in Canada, Quattrocchi’s focuses on promoting and distributing Canadian fresh, refrigerated, frozen and packaged food products, with an emphasis on key branded products from manufacturers such as Kraft, McCain and Heinz.

Independent retail stores, food-service operators (such as restaurants and food trucks), long-term care homes and hospitals

Canopy Growth 1 Hershey Dr., Smiths Falls, ON K7A 0K8 1-855-558-9333 www.canopygrowth.com

3M 2 Craig St., Perth, ON K7H 3E2 613-267-5300 www.3mcanada.ca

76 in Perth

J. Quattrocchi & Co. Ltd 63 Church St. W., Smiths Falls, ON K7A 4S7 613-283-4980 jquattrocchi.com

40

2

TRANSPORTATION LINKS

TOP

1 Highways 17, 417, 401 and 416 all within easy access

1 Food and beverage services 2 Nursing and residential care

FUN FACTS 1 The inventor of basketball, James Naismith grew up in Almonte.

2 Carleton Place has a community labyrinth.

3 The county’s many historic communities make it a movie production destination, especially for holiday-themed romantic comedies.

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2 Destinations such as Ottawa, Brockville, Kingston and the U.S. border are all fewer than 100 kilometres away

INDUSTRIES

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# of Employees

CONTACT

LEEDS GRENVILLE

Manufacturing and transportation keep this county moving These growing sectors cause labour shortages the counties are addressing creative ways.

BY PAULA ROY

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ypically referred to as Leeds Grenville, these Eastern Ontario counties were formally united in 1850 and occupy 3,350 square kilometres of land whose borders can be traced from Gananoque to Westport to Kemptville to Cardinal and back through the 1000 Islands, along the 401. There are 10 communities in Leeds Grenville and the region relies on its partnerships with the city of Brockville and the towns of Gananoque and Prescott.

Easily accessible by land, air and water, Leeds Grenville is ideally situated for companies looking to establish or grow their business. Highway 401 connects the region to the rest of Canada and having a main rail line and an international deep-water port at Johnstown make Leeds Grenville a true transportation hub, supported by two bridges to the United States as well as the busy St. Lawrence Seaway, which provides access to national and international shipping.

The historic Rideau Canal and Highway 15 link the area’s towns, lakes and rivers and Highway 416 runs from Ottawa to Johnstown and the nearby PrescottOgdensburg International Bridge.

Manufacturing is the region’s economic stronghold, along with transportation, logistics and warehousing.

Those are followed by agriculture, food production and tourism. Several manufacturing companies in the area are expanding, including Greenfield Global Inc., Canada’s largest ethanol producer, and Canadian Rail Equipment Works and Services Inc., which provides key freight rail services, including railcar storage, switching and transloading.

While labour is a challenge — the area boasts an unemployment rate lower than the provincial average — the counties’ economic development office is part of a co-ordinated multi-stakeholder initiative to develop the skillsets in demand by local companies. “We saw there was a gap between education and the labour market, so we are now working more closely with area secondary and post-secondary institutions,” says Ann Weir, Leeds Grenville’s economic development manager. “We are directly benefitting from St. Lawrence College’s recent funding for over $750,000 in new skills training, including mobile learning labs and microcredentials in advanced manufacturing and logistics.”

POPULATION IN LEEDS GRENVILLE

100,546

Leeds Grenville is attractive to workers, thanks to its quality of life and affordability.

Meanwhile, the counties’ Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre is a hub for economic development and training and will soon add skilled trades education to its programming.

“Labour is going to become our strength and we are working with all our communities to make them investmentready,” Weir says.

Leeds Grenville is attractive to workers thanks to its quality of life and affordability. The average cost of a home in 2019, for example, was just $286,323.

“We draw people from around the globe who appreciate our rural charm and the fact that we have so many thriving businesses,” Weir says. “Once people come to the region, they want to stay because of the superior lifestyle; even

DEMOGRAPHICS

43.6 Median 7.1% Unemployment rate age Leeds Grenville has a higher number of apprenticeship/trades certificates or diplomas and a higher number of college, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma holders than the province as a whole.

Burnbrae Farms Ltd. is a fifthgeneration family-owned egg farm. those who leave as young adults want to return to raise their families. You get all the serenity of small-town life, but with world-class amenities at your fingertips.”

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$34,329

Business opportunities ‣ Proximity to larger centres with amenities including airports

1

2 3

4 5 7

0

‣ Serviced and unserviced land in industrial parks at lower prices than those in larger centres

6

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CONTACT Ann Weir Economic development manager 613-342-3840 ext. 5365 econdev@uclg.on.ca www.invest.leedsgrenville.com

‣ Development charges sometimes waived

NVILLE

LEEDS GRE

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

1 2 3 4

Description

Key customers

Giant Tiger Distribution Centre 2 Newport Dr., Johnstown, ON K0E 1T1 www.gianttiger.com

460

The state-of-the-art distribution centre covers approximately 600,000 square feet and features the first Symbotic system in Canada, the latest in shipping and warehousing technology.

Tiger Trucking uses the Long Combination Vehicle (LCV) to support the safe and efficient movement of goods.

Giant Tiger stores in Canada’s central and eastern provinces

Kriska Transportation Group 850 Sophia St., Prescott, ON K0E 1T0 1-800-461-8000 www.kriska.com

371

Its core specialty is centred on specialized transborder service to serve Canadian/U.S. freight distribution opportunities.

The company also operates more than 300,000 square feet of warehousing and temperature-controlled services for its customers’ food products.

Local, national and international companies including retail, restaurants, medical and manufacturing

Burnbrae Farms Limited 3356 County 27 Rd., Lyn, ON K0E 1M0 905-624-3600 www.burnbraefarms.com

357

Agri-food and food manufacturing: This fifth-generation Canadian family owned and operated agri-food and food manufacturing company is one of Canada’s leading egg farmers, with farms, grading stations, processing and production operations.

Grocery stores and restaurants across Canada and parts of the United States

Ingredion Canada Corporation 4040 James St., Cardinal, ON K0E 1E0 613-657-3131 www.ingredion.com

250

This food product manufacturing company transforms grains, fruits, vegetables and other plant-based materials into valueadded products for a range of industries.

Companies from more than 100 countries representing 60 diverse sectors, including food, beverage, animal nutrition, paper, brewing and other industries

Prysmian Group 137 Commerce Dr., Johnstown, ON K0E 1T1 613-925-6000 na.prysmiangroup.com

220

A global leader in the cable systems industry, Prysmian’s Prescott plant manufactures a wide range of medium and low voltage energy cables for the Canadian and Northeast United States markets.

Construction and infrastructure, telecommunications, power transmission and distribution, energy projects and specialty industries

3

TOP

INDUSTRIES

1 Within one day’s trucking time of 120 million consumers

1 Transportation, logistics and warehousing

2 Quick access to Highway 401 and Highway 416

2 Manufacturing and advanced manufacturing

3 Close proximity to two international bridges to the U.S.

3 Agriculture and agri-food

FUN FACTS 1 A UNESCO World Heritage site, Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve received a National Geographic Society GeoTourism Charter in 2010, only the ninth such charter in the world and the third in Canada.

2 There are 24 inland lakes and hundreds of kilometres of waterfront in Leeds Grenville.

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TRANSPORTATION LINKS

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# of Employees

PEMBROKE

This city services 75,000 people, with ample room for growth It may have a population of just 14,000, but Pembroke draws customers from surrounding areas, boosting its attractiveness to investors.

BY PHIL GAUDREAU

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inding opportunities in Pembroke starts by zooming out to understand how Pembroke fits into its surrounding context.

While approximately 14,000 people call the small city home, it often attracts shoppers from neighbouring Petawawa, adding another 18,000 or so to the catchment area.

Next, look at Pembroke’s role as the seat of Renfrew County — total population 88,500.

Finally, after considering Pembroke’s setting close to a Quebec border crossing and just steps from the Trans-Canada Highway, the picture comes into focus.

Indeed, the Pembroke-Petawawa area is the largest community between Ottawa and North Bay along the Trans-Canada.

“We serve up to 75,000 people on any given day,” says Heather Salovaara, the city’s economic development officer. “We are a gathering place for a large number of people because of our amenities and services, with unique small businesses you wouldn’t expect to do well in a small city.”

Many of those businesses have popped up downtown in recent years, following a major revitalization project. In recent

Pembroke attracts shoppers from as far away as Petawawa and the overall area is the largest centre between Ottawa and North Bay along the Trans-Canada. years, main street Pembroke has added a virtual-reality arcade, an olive oil shop and even a locally owned food delivery service, Valley Eats, that has just branched out across Eastern Ontario thanks to a boost from COVID-19-related orders.

And, the downtown business community has maintained its more than 50 per cent female ownership ratio.

While things are turning around in Pembroke, there are still ample development and growth opportunities.

The city has a robust supply of vacant

POPULATION IN PEMBROKE

14,000

industrial buildings that are starting to be repurposed.

“The city is offering municipal grants to help businesses find opportunities for these buildings,” Salovaara adds.

Grants aren’t the only way the City of Pembroke is incentivizing businesses to set up shop. The community boasts fibre internet connectivity and comparatively low land and hydro prices. However, like many communities, housing availability and pricing have become more challenging since the beginning

DEMOGRAPHICS

45

Median age

42%

7.6%

Unemployment rate

Percentage of population with post-secondary education

of the pandemic.

While most associate Pembroke with its history in logging and lumber, in modern Pembroke, there are no more forestry jobs. Much of the city’s workforce supports the core government and community services. Pembroke also boasts a strong manufacturing sector led by a plant for KI Furniture.

“The biggest strength that Pembroke has is its people,” said Dan Mellen, general manager of KI Canada. “Most people here know the value of a dollar and what it takes to earn it. The employees at KI are the best I have ever had the opportunity to work with.”

Pembroke businesses are propped up by the healthy public-sector employment in the surrounding area, including the hospital, college campus, military base in Petawawa, nearby Canadian Nuclear Laboratories location, local government and other assets.The city is also bolstered by what Salovaara calls the “friendly and caring” nature of locals.

“People here want to get to know you… once they find out your last name, the first thing they’ll do is try to figure out who they know who is related to you,” she says.

“It comes from a good place.”

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$29,538

Business opportunities ‣ Grants to repurpose vacant industrial land

1

2 3

4 5

‣ Home to an Algonquin College campus and 1,000 students

7

6

8 9 0

‣ Operates its own hydro utility with rates as much as 20 per cent lower than Hydro One

CONTACT Heather Salovaara Economic development officer, City of Pembroke

PEMBROKE

hsalovaara@pembroke.ca 613-735-6821 ext.1500

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

1 2 3 4

Description

Key customers

Hinduja Global Solutions Unit 4, 100 Crandall St., Pembroke, ON K8A 6X8 1-866-640-5239 ext. 4000 www.teamhgs.com

300

Hinduja Global Solutions is a consulting firm offering businessprocess management, customer experience and digital marketing services. Based in Bangalore, India, the company has offices around the world.

HGS works with international businesses across a wide range of sectors — from telecom to travel, from paint to public sector and from agriculture to automotive.

KI Canada 1000 Olympic Dr., Pembroke, ON K8A 0E1 613-735-5566 www.ki.com

140

KI specializes in custom-order furniture and wall solutions for a number of industries and operates in the U.K., China and Canada.

Business customers

SRB Technologies 320-140 Boundary Rd. E., Pembroke, ON K8A 6W5 1-800-552-0098 www.srbt.com

42

SRB Technologies calls itself a “world leader” in self-powered emergency lighting and exit signs.

SRB’s Luminexit and Betalux tritium exit signs can be found in hotels, schools, airports, shopping malls, commercial and industrial buildings.

Eastway Group 11-100 Crandall St., Pembroke, ON K8A 6X8 613-735-4593 www.theeastwaygroup.ca

18

A single automotive repair shop in Ottawa has grown into a company that works in construction, bus refurbishing and automotive collision work at nine locations, from Pembroke to Ottawa.

A mix of customers needing automotive repair, construction companies looking for sitepreparation and remediation help and Petawawa residents seeking new homes

16 staff and Valley Eats has had a strong growth trajectory since its launch 100+ drivers two years ago — with a bit of help from COVID-19. This locally

Hungry people in the Ottawa Valley who want to support local restaurants

Valley Eats 24 Pembroke St W., Pembroke, ON K8A 5M3 1-855-610-3287 www.valleyeats.ca

focused competitor to international delivery app companies boasts 100 restaurants and serves customers from Petawawa to Brockville.

2

TRANSPORTATION LINKS

TOP

1 Pembroke and Area Airport

1 Professional services

2 Trans-Canada Highway

2 Manufacturing

3 Bus station with links to North Bay and Ottawa

INDUSTRIES

FUN FACT When it’s a matter of life or death, you want Pembroke’s Med-Eng on your side. The company makes protective equipment, including the bomb suit featured in 2008’s The Hurt Locker.

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# of Employees

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KingstonCanada.com

RANKED ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK IN CANADA

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SHORT COMMUTE TIMES AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

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CLOSE PROXIMITY TO MAJOR TRANSPORT

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COMPETITIVE LAND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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DEVELOPMENT CHARGES WAIVED FOR INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITIES

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@KingstonCanada

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2021-03-31 12:02 PM

PETAWAWA

Prosperous town seeks investment from small business operators Disposable income is high due to the presence of the military and Chalk River, and consumers like to shop at home.

Petawawa hopes to attract business by increasing the amount of built commercial infrastructure. This aerial photo shows Jubilee Lodge and Petawawa Golf Club.

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etawawa, the largest town in Renfrew County, has a lot to offer — beautiful countryside, a large federal government presence, a little bit of everything, except, as economic development officer Christine Mitchell notes, the presence of a significant number of smaller businesses.

“We really do want to attract a lot of smaller businesses,” Mitchell says. This is a departure from the past, she adds. For years, Petawawa had a different focus and sought to attract big-box retailers, though without great success.

Petawawa is working on a community improvement plan under the provincial Planning Act. When that is ready (something Mitchell hopes will occur before the end of 2021), there may be grants, tax advantages and other incentives available for businesses.

One of the town’s top priorities, Mitchell says, is to increase the amount of built commercial infrastructure to allow

for an influx of smaller new businesses.

Small businesses that do come will find many advantages. There is a lot of disposable income in the town. The largest employers are part of the federal government. Garrison Petawawa, with 7,000 military and civilian personnel, has a payroll of $400 million and spends an additional $100 million on goods and services. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in nearby Chalk River has 2,500 personnel. Even the school board has 2,000 employees.

“We think new businesses will do well here — because we know that Petawawans have a lot of disposable income and they want to shop in this area, not in a bigger centre,” Mitchell says.

Sixty-eight per cent of Petawawans who drive to work arrive at workplaces that are still within the town’s boundaries.

An additional number work from home.

This shows that residents are attached

POPULATION IN PETAWAWA

17,200

to the town, and do most of their shopping and get most of their entertainment there, opening opportunities for incoming businesses, Mitchell says.

The town — on the western shore of the Ottawa River, just 160 kilometres west of Ottawa — is proud of its quality of life, where the average home sells for

DEMOGRAPHICS

31

Median age

43%

Percentage of college or university graduates Percentage of residents with an apprenticeship or trade certificate

10%

$375,173. The Petawawa and Ottawa rivers are both accessible. The trail system has won awards. The town has a heritage village and a wide variety of annual festivals and events. A modern airport is just five minutes from the centre of town.

Surely, the town’s tagline, “Dynamic by nature,” has been earned.

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$52,500

Business opportunities ‣ An affluent population to support small businesses ‣ Stable local economy ‣ Airport with full service terminal and 5,000-foot runway

1

2 3

4 5 7

6

8 9 0

CONTACT Christine Mitchell Economic development officer

PETAWAWA

cmitchell@petawawa.ca 613-687-5536 ext. 2021 www.petawawa.ca

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

1 2 3 4

Description

Key customers

Hinduja Global Solutions Unit 4, 100 Crandall St., Pembroke, ON K8A 6X8 1-866-640-5239 ext. 4000 www.teamhgs.com

120 in Petawawa

Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) is headquartered in Bangalore, India, and has offices in seven countries. The company specializes in business-process management.

The Petawawa employees are largely customer service agents.

Corporate clients

Hyska’s (Your Independent Grocer) 3025 Petawawa Blvd., Petawawa, ON K8H 2S5 613-687-5000 www.yourindependentgrocer.ca

100 (many part-time)

Grocery store

Local residents

Established in 1847, the company produces top-quality pine lumber and utility poles.

Ontario-based lumber brokers

75

Herb Shaw & Sons Lumber Ltd. 31 Sharon St., Pembroke, ON K8A 7J5 613-732-9989 www.facebook.com/herbshawandsons H&H Construction Inc. 49 Portage Rd., Petawawa, ON K8H 2W8 613-687-8154 www.handhconstruction.ca

50 full-time; Road construction 70 seasonal

Rona Petawawa 3025 Petawawa Blvd., Petawawa, ON K8H 1X9 613-506-7662 www.rona.ca

20

Home improvement supply store

2

TRANSPORTATION LINKS

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1 Immediate access to Highway 17

1 Retail

2 Commercial airport in town

2 Manufacturing

3 Bus services from Greyhound and Ontario Northlands

Townships

INDUSTRIES

Homeowners

FUN FACTS 1 The name Petawawa comes from the Algonquin word Biidaawewe, meaning “where one hears a noise like this.” And that noise comes from the rushing waters of the Petawawa and Ottawa rivers. The town sits at their junction.

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2 In late 2019, Maclean’s published a report that ranked Petawawa the second safest place to live in Canada.

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# of Employees

PRESCOTT AND RUSSELL

These united counties boast an educated workforce The counties’ principal employers are smalland medium-sized enterprises, and housing prices are half those of Ottawa.

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ny entrepreneur looking to develop a business in a region not too far from Ottawa, with a growing economy, a fairly well-educated population and cheap housing would do well to take a close look at the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, roughly 55 kilometres east of Ottawa.

“We’ve seen a lot of population and economic growth because we’re so near Ottawa,” says economic development officer Carole Lavigne. “Moreover, housing is available here at nearly half the cost of what buyers face in Ottawa.”

The chief economic drivers are agriculture, as well as small and medium enterprises, which represent 80 per cent of the economic activity. Construction and public administration are also large employers, with wholesale trade, waste management and accommodation and food services providing many jobs as well.

There are 10 enterprises or

Prescott and Russell has vast farmlands, but is also growing in other fields, including health care and manufacturing (both pictured below).

organizations in Prescott and Russell that employ more than 200 people — three are in manufacturing, two in public administration, and the rest in arts, entertainment and recreation, health care and social services and retail trade.

The western end of the united counties has more economic production than the eastern end, which is further from Ottawa. At the western end, 62 per cent of workers are skilled, meaning they have some post-secondary education or have done an apprenticeship. At the eastern end, that figure is 10 per cent lower. The participation and employment rates are also 10 to 11 per cent higher in the west than in the east. Between 2011 and 2016 (the latest figures available), Prescott and Russell experienced a net growth of 129 jobs.

The average family income in the united counties was $81,089 in 2015. The unemployment rate in 2019 was 5.3 per cent.

POPULATION IN PRESCOTT & RUSSELL

89,300

Thirty-nine per cent of the workforce, aged 25 to 64, has a university degree.

Buying a house is far cheaper in Prescott-Russell than in Ottawa. Prices have been a bit more than half of what Ottawans pay, but are now creeping upward, as many city dwellers who have been working from home during the pandemic realize they can do the same in a more pleasant rural setting.

The population of the united counties

DEMOGRAPHICS

44

Median age

39%

5.3%

Unemployment rate (2019)

Percentage of population with post-secondary education

is growing. By 2036, it’s expected to reach 117,000, for a 31 per cent increase.

One of Prescott-Russell’s chief challenges, Lavigne says, is to upgrade the provision of electricity, natural gas and internet services in its more rural areas. “That kind of upgrade will really help us attract new investment,” she says, “especially since much of that rural area is along Highway 417, which boosts its appeal to potential investors.”

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$38,814

Business opportunities 1

‣ Close to Ottawa

2 3

4 5 7

6

8 9 0

‣ Inexpensive housing ‣ Modestly growing economy

CONTACT Carole Lavigne Director, economic development and tourism

PRESCOTT & RUSSELL

613-675-4661 ext. 8100 www.prescott-russell.on.ca en.prescott-russell.on.ca

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

1 2 3 4

Description

Key customers

Ivaco Rolling Mills Ltd. 1040 County Rd. 17, L’Orignal, ON K0B 1K0 613-675-4671 www.ivacorm.com

400

Ivaco Rolling Mills is a wire rod supplier.

Those in the automotive, energy, agriculture, construction and telecommunications industries

Calypso Theme Waterpark 2015 Calypso St., Limoges, ON K0A 2M0 613-443-9995 www.calypsopark.com

500

As the biggest theme waterpark in Canada, Calypso features a wide range of attractions, including Canada’s largest wave pool.

It is open seasonally from June to September.

Adventure- and leisure-seeking families, tourists

Co-op Embrun 926 Notre-Dame St., Embrun, ON K0A 1W0 613-443-2833 coopembrun.com

250

Embrun Co-op is a co-operative that offers products and services through eight divisions, ranging from groceries, hardware and fuels to farm support services.

Consumers across the county

A. Potvin Construction 345 Laurier St., Rockland, ON K4K 1G2 613-446-5382 www.potvinconstruction.com

160

A. Potvin Construction is a construction company that offers material and services for residential and commercial building.

Residential and commercial builders

St-Albert Cheese Factory 150 St-Paul St. C., St-Albert, ON K0A 3C0 613-987-2872 fromagestalbert.com

120

The St-Albert Cheese Factory produces many varieties of cheese, especially cheddar and cheese curds.

Consumers across the region

2

TRANSPORTATION LINKS

TOP

1 Close to highways 417 and 401

1 Agriculture

2 Between Ottawa’s and Montreal’s international airports

2 Food processing

3 Access to a CN Rail line

INDUSTRIES

FUN FACT

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The Mer Bleue (“blue sea”) is a 7,700-year-old sphagnum bog that reproduces a northern boreal landscape you would expect to see many hundreds of kilometres further north.

The Convention on Wetlands has named it a Wetland of International Significance.

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# of Employees

— SPONSORED CONTENT —

Propelling Eastern Ontario’s businesses

R T N E C NO I TAV O N N I E H T OKI T A V O N N I ’ D E R T N E C E L Launch Lab is a regional innovation centre that kickstarts new businesses

EOBJ POWERBOOK SPRING 2021 XXXXXX 2021

and helps established ones grow and scale.

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aren Brunet raised $700,000 for her business during a global pandemic and now aims to be running a $9-million company in three years.

The founder of iKare.Med, an importer and wholesaler of medical devices for the prevention and management of urinary incontinence, likes to say “I made a business by peeing my pants.” At its root it’s true. Years of misdiagnoses for various ailments and giving birth to two children 16 months apart led to urinary incontinence. She wanted a better solution than adult diapers or pads so she invented one called Cntrl+. But the other truth of how she built her company was by using the services of Launch Lab. Launch Lab helps innovative entrepreneurs launch, grow and scale their businesses. The organization is a regional innovation centre and member of the Ontario Business Support Network, a provincially funded network of resources for entrepreneurs located within its boundaries.

“Our purpose is to foster entrepreneurship and the commercialization of innovations to help build globally competitive companies in Eastern Ontario,” says Scott Runté, CEO of Launch Lab. “We’re here to support companies that are starting,

Karen Brunet, founder, iKare.Med

growing or scaling in Eastern Ontario. We want to be a catalyst and a voice for the innovation ecosystem in the region.”

Primo partnerships Launch Lab helps between 100 and 150 entrepreneurs every year and owes part of its success to the strong partnerships it has built and fostered. For example, while its head office is in Kingston, it also has satellite offices in Cornwall, Smiths Falls and Belleville, the latter three offered through partners who provide office space.

Its team of “entrepreneurs in residence” (EIRs) operate throughout the region to provide timely, strategic advice to help founders make the right decisions to

grow their businesses. The services the entrepreneurial advisers offer include marketing, raising capital, coming up with a sales strategy, advising on intellectual property and financial modelling, to name a few. In addition to this mentorship, Launch Lab can provide access to marketintelligence reports, training opportunities and workshops, connections to sources of capital and a large network of professional partners and resources.

“Companies are looking for access to talent, capital and markets. Our partnership model is extremely important,” Runté says. “We don’t go find talent for clients, but we help them get connected to partners that can provide support. When they need access to capital, we partner with the Southeastern Ontario Angel Network. We also work very closely with the Community Futures Development Corporations, of which there are several in our region. When it comes to market access, we work with our

regional innovation centre partners across the province, economic development agencies and the universities and colleges in our region to leverage their networks.

“In the region, we work very closely with our neighbouring regional innovation centres, Invest Ottawa and Spark Centre. Working together, we want Eastern Ontario to be recognized as a leading innovation corridor and, moving forward, we want to be a champion for the innovation that’s happening across multiple sectors in the region.”

Launch Pad Launch Pad is an eight-week boot-camp program for early-stage companies.

“Rather than having one-on-one interaction, we put them through a weekly boot camp with their peers that takes them through different aspects of what they need to be thinking about, we give them introductions to some of our entrepreneurs in residence and help them to further develop their business model,” he says.

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HOW LAUNCH LAB CATAPULTED 5 COMPANIES Launch Lab has helped countless companies throughout Eastern Ontario — we surveyed a handful about the kind of help they secured and how it facilitated their growth.

1

Amplify

Huff, from Huff Estates Winery, she is now securing North American, European and U.K. medical safety certifications for Cntrl+, the medical device she is developing for female bladder leaks, to expand iKare’s e-commerce offerings through its ActivKare brand. In addition to the entrepreneur in residence program, she has benefited from the Amplify and Digital Main Street programs offered by Launch Lab.

2

From a founder Karen Brunet says Launch Lab’s entrepreneur in residence immediately identified her needs.

“In our first meeting, [he] recognized my strengths were in sales, versus finance,” she says of her adviser. “He quickly helped me put together financial projections to secure growth capital. He’s like my chief financial officer and has been a superb link into our region’s startup ecosystem.”

After securing her initial round of investment from her mentor, Lanny

Scott Runté, CEO Launch Lab “I could not have envisioned where my companies are today without the guidance, encouragement and resources of Launch Lab,” Brunet says. “Startups generally don’t have the capital for multilevel professional help, I am forever grateful for the introduction to these programs.”

RND BAKERY When Will Spencer decided to expand his gluten-free bakery, he realized he needed some help to make good business decisions and reached out to Launch Lab. “I was a perfect candidate for their program,” Spencer says. “They helped us make decisions like how to act on a business plan, how to create forward-looking statements, how to be organized. They helped me secure credit from our bank. We were also invited to join the Lanark County Food and Beverage Peer Group, which meets once a month.

That’s been very helpful.” He’s now in negotiations with national distributors and Launch Lab has given him ongoing advice in support of his intellectual property strategy.

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Adding to Launch Lab’s base program through which entrepreneurs in residence work one-on-one with clients is another called Amplify, which caters to companies that are starting to grow or have real growth opportunities.

“We will often assign more than one entrepreneur in residence to work directly with those companies and really strive to help them develop an effective management process to monitor and make decisions as they move forward,” Runté says. “Amplify focuses on the companies that have an opportunity to achieve scalable growth.”

Currently, Amplify and the EIR Advisory program are supporting 40-plus companies that are generating collective revenues of more than $40 million annually and supporting over 250 jobs.

“These are companies that are creating jobs and driving investment into the region,” Runté says.

PRO ANGLER FISHING APP When you’re running a startup, says Kyle Reid, you’re always focused on the dayto-day operations, but it’s sometimes hard to see the big picture. That’s where Launch Lab’s entrepreneurs in residence (EIR) really helped him with his fishing app business Pro Angler, which includes Ontario fisheries (Proanglerapp. com). “It’s been an exceptional experience,” he says. “The operational guidance from EIRs has helped us step outside the skills we have in house. I have regular meetings with two EIRs and they’ve really helped me see things from a CEO perspective.” He says their advice on financial planning has been particularly valuable and since he sought their help, revenuefocused activities have increased by 25 per cent.

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35 Will Spencer, owner, rND Bakery

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— SPONSORED CONTENT —

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Main Street goes digital A unique program designed to “Future

Proof” small businesses in the digital and

COVID-19 eras has helped more than 250 entrepreneurs in Eastern Ontario since it launched in June 2020.

Aba Mortley, owner, Cher-Mère Day Spa

W

hen the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns forced her to close her Cher-Mère day spa, Aba Mortley knew she’d have to change the way she did business to continue to prosper, and maybe just survive.

At her bricks and mortar spa, Mortley sells products her family developed, including cleansers, scrubs and lotions.

She decided to try selling her products online, through a website that until then just served as a digital business card showing the spa’s location and services.

She learned from her business network in Kingston about a program called Digital Main Street (DMS) operated by Launch Lab. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) was funding the program and Launch Lab was executing the Future Proof portion of it with support from Invest Ottawa.

Transformation by team Future Proof helps businesses — any SME with fewer than 500 employees — not all of which are technology- or innovationbased, but Launch Lab said yes because it was an opportunity to support a business sector that was suffering.

“Some said it wasn’t our core clientele, but we felt it was something that our capabilities would allow us to do,” said Scott Runté, CEO of Launch Lab. Runté quickly struck a steering committee made up of FedDev organizations, economic development people from the various counties and cities in Launch Lab’s jurisdiction, as well as representatives from Queen’s University and Loyalist and St. Lawrence colleges.

— SPONSORED CONTENT —

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OAT & MILL Oat & Mill founder Candace Tierney worked with Launch Lab through its EIR program and through Future Proof. During the pandemic, she wanted to ramp up online sales of her oat-based vegan ice cream and Future Proof helped her do that by helping with order fulfillment and overall communications. The EIR program allowed her to get a second opinion as she worked hard to expand her distribution network to grocery stores. One big discovery was that she could drop her coCandace Tierney, manufacturing deal and do it herself, giving her more founder, Oat & Mill control over the process while improving the quality.

“We went from the copacker’s 10,000-pound batches to 120-pound batches and we’re almost as efficient,” Tierney says. “When I started consulting Launch Lab, I was just selling into farmers’ markets. Now I’m selling to grocery chains. We are in 100 stores and we’re now onboarding another 200.”

DMS by the numbers

250+

80%

of DMS clients said the Future Proof program exceeded their expectations.

of businesses said they are now better off and way more prepared for the future than they thought possible.

said the transformation teams’ performance exceeded their expectations.

FedDev decided to create a win-win by hiring students and recent graduates of digital marketing programs to form transformation teams that would help the Main Street businesses. Each team had a digital marketer, copy writer, web designer, UI/UX designer and graphic designer.

At the program’s peak, 75 students worked in the program, and each team worked with three companies over a threeweek period. The team members started by identifying the business owner’s needs and how they could help to future-proof the business. Then the work of upgrading the company’s digital presence with website improvements, digital marketing

campaigns, social media upgrades and more, and when it was done, business owners received a long how-to list to help them run their new-found systems.

Runté said the second win was for the students, who he’s confident will have “an accelerated career path” thanks to Future Proof.

In all, Launch Lab supported more than 225 businesses in the first eight months and has about 50 more in the queue with new ones arriving all the time.

95%

THE INNOVATION CENTRE LE CENTRE D’INNOVATION

90%

Apply at www.launchlabdms.ca/futureproof to secure a spot with one of the program’s digital transformation teams.

POWERED BY LAUNCH LAB

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EQUATOR COFFEE ROASTERS Craig Hall, CEO of the coffee company, says it’s the coaching from Launch Lab that he’s most appreciated. “A recent ‘who’s our customer?’ exercise was very helpful in providing insights about what our customers actually think of us instead of relying on what we thought they think of us. We are also working with Digital Main Street to help improve the content and functionality of our website and increase the effectiveness of our social media and email marketing programs.” Finally, Launch Lab has helped him take data he already had and translate it into useful information for running his business. “We’ve been around for 20 years so we have some advantages, but to get some perspective from people who have grown a company or two has been really helpful. You can test your assumption with someone who has real-world experience.” Some of that business advice may have resulted in a little bit of the 300-per-cent increase he’s seen in web-based sales over the past year. The pandemic no doubt played into that, too.

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businesses benefited from the program by March 31. It’s now been extended to June.

BLUE OCEAN Derek Quesnel, founder and CEO of Blue Ocean, was in the initial stream of accessing funding when he started working with Launch Lab. “They helped us with business development, but the biggest value we got from them is networking.” He needed lawyers and accountants who had experience working with small companies and met both through Launch Lab. “They also put us on the right path to access government funding.

Derek Quesnel, founder and CEO of The company is a SalesForce implementation partner and Quesnel has been in the SalesForce Blue Ocean ecosystem for 10 years so he’s well suited to his new role. Four years in, he’s doubled revenue year over year for the past two. “We’re hiring and continuing to grow,” he says.

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RENFREW COUNTY

Westerly county is a manufacturing mecca Renfrew county’s entrepreneurs produce everything from pharmaceuticals to body armour and there’s room for more.

BY JENNIFER CAMPBELL

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o say Renfrew County is home to a diverse group of businesses is an understatement. From sawmills and textile manufacturing to nuclear science and craft kombucha, the county seems to have it all and there are some, no doubt, that neighbours in Ottawa have no idea exist.

Did you know, for example, that of the very few companies in Canada that make body armour, two — Pacific Safety Products Inc. and Med-Eng — have operations in Renfrew County?

The bomb disposal suit actor Jeremy Renner wore in the movie, The Hurt Locker, was made by Med-Eng. And then there’s Bubble Technology Industries, a company that provides radiation and explosive detection of vehicles at ports of entry, border crossings and major events, including the Super Bowl, U.S. presidential inaugurations and papal visits.

“We are a lovely rural area with affordable housing, on the edge of Ottawa, where you can access hospitals, universities, colleges, social and cultural events and NHL hockey,” says Alastair

Baird, manager of economic development services for Renfrew County, speaking to why companies typically choose to set up there. “We’re also close to the U.S. border.”

The county boasts available land and buildings, serviced and unserviced, an available workforce, access to natural resources and proximity to large markets such as Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal.

Sometimes, Baird says, existing businesses attract new ones. Several companies have spun out of Chalk River’s Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, for example.

Manufacturing is as diverse as the county’s businesses as a whole.

Goods made in the region include the aforementioned body armour, aircraft parts, defence equipment, wood products, office furniture, pharmaceuticals and food.

Pillar5 Pharma, for example, is a homegrown contract pharmaceutical manufacturer that continues to do a lot of work for Pfizer, the company that used to occupy its building, but left Canada a few years ago. Two local men bought the

POPULATION IN RENFREW COUNTY

102,394 (2016)

TOP: This medium-density fibre plant owned by Roseburg Forest Products/Pembroke MDF specializes in fibreboard and mouldings.

BOTTOM LEFT: The old Post Office in Arnprior now serves as a museum.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Pillar5 Pharma is one of the major employers in Renfrew County.

plant, drummed up business and kept it running.

Nylene Canada, which makes the nylon thread in carpets, is an Americanowned multinational with operations in the county. Meanwhile, Ireland’s Kerry Foods makes liquid smoke in Renfrew County to add barbecue flavours to its food products. American-owned Arnprior Aerospace operates there, while Canada’s Magellan Aerospace manufactures products such as helicopter transmissions in Haley Station. Arnprior’s Triodetic makes structural steel architectural components such as the facade of Ottawa’s Shaw Centre.

DEMOGRAPHICS

44.8

Median age

50,695

Total population of the workforce

$67,683 (2015) Median income of households

Tourism and agri-business have always been strong sectors in the picturesque county. “We have beautiful fields for cash crops — dairy, beef, poultry, fruit and vegetables,” Baird says. “Sheep and goats to a lesser extent.

We have a hemp producer. We have a significant greenhouse [for] medical marijuana.”

Now its beauty is being noticed by film crews who appreciate its unique heritage villages, quaint downtown cores and its geographic diversity, offering everything from rolling hills and old-growth forests to cliffs, rivers and farms.

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$34,319

Business opportunities ‣ A burgeoning seniors housing market ‣ High demand and low supply in rental units ‣ Resort business and/or waterfront resort housing development for sale in the whitewater region

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Magellan Aerospace Limited 634 Magnesium Rd., Haley Station, ON K0J 1Y0 613-432-8841 magellan.aero Lavern Heideman & Sons Limited RR 2, 2057 Foymount Rd., Eganville, ON K0J 1T0 613-628-2240 Roseburg Forest Products Canada/ Pembroke MDF 777 Fibreboard Dr., Pembroke, ON K8A 6W4 613-732-3939 www.roseburg.com

190 (forest products)

180 (fibreboard from wood residuals)

RENFREW

Description

Key customers

Magellan Aerospace provides integrated products, including aero-engines, rockets, sand castings, maintenance, repair and overhaul.

The aerospace industry worldwide

Lavern Heideman & Sons was established in 1974 in Eganville with a single sawmill. It is one of the major employers in the community and helps to sustainably manage the area’s forests.

Wholesalers, mostly, and some retail

The Laurentian Valley operation specializes in mediumdensity fibreboard and moulding.

The industrial cabinet, mouldings, shelving and furniture-manufacturing sector

Pillar5 Pharma 365 Madawaska Blvd., Arnprior, ON K7S0C9 613-623-4221 pillar5pharma.com

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Pillar5 Pharma Inc. is an Arnprior-based third-party manufacturer for larger pharmaceutical companies. It specializes in sterile ophthalmic products.

Larger pharmaceutical companies

Deslaurier Custom Cabinets 550 Hall Ave., Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z4 613-432-5431 www.deslaurier.ca

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Deslaurier was founded in 1979 and is now a leader in cabinet design.

Builders, developers and homeowners

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TRANSPORTATION LINKS

TOP

1 Located on Trans-Canada Highway (417 and 17)

1 Public administration 2 Health care and social assistance

FUN FACT

Renfrew County has the tallest tree in Ontario. The white pine is 47 metres tall, higher than a 13-storey building.

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2 Train service operating between Ottawa and Arnprior, servicing Nylene Canada plant, but open for shipping other items

INDUSTRIES

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# of Employees

Alastair Baird Manager of economic development services and tourism County of Renfrew abaird@countyofrenfrew.on.ca 613-732-0354

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

CONTACT

STORMONT, DUNDAS AND GLENGARRY

Proximity to big centres opens opportunites Advanced manufacturing and historic tourist destinations make up this diverse region.

BY PHIL GAUDREAU

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he United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry has something for business owners wanting to grow and those who may want to slow things down a little.

Owners on the go can hop on the 401, 416 or VIA Rail and travel between major cities such as Ottawa and Montréal. Or they can take the bridge across to New York State (for essential trips only, of course).

“Our close proximity to large centres means we can offer a relaxed rural lifestyle, while, at the same time, our links to fast-paced business and commerce are solid,” says Frank Prevost, the counties’ warden. “Those links are strengthened by our access to rail, road and air transport as well as the St. Lawrence Seaway.”

In addition, there are a number of grants and incentives being offered by the counties to help business owners and developers establish themselves or grow in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry

(SDG), including a 50 per cent matching grant.

“We are also supporting those businesses affected by COVID-19,” added Prevost. “We have recently approved a budget in principle that calls for a modest tax decrease to help offset financial pressures.”

Incentives such as these are intended to bring businesses and teleworkers alike to the region. Efforts to improve high-speed cellular and internet networks have been in the works for several years, and more recently the county has started a new marketing effort called “Date Our County.”

“The concept will start as a contest, soliciting interest from potential contestants who will be invited to compete to live rent-free in the counties for one year,” Prevost says. “In addition to living and working in SDG, the winner will be responsible for writing blog posts, posting to social media and advocating the positive aspects of living in SDG.”

POPULATION IN STORMONT, DUNDAS, AND GLENGARRY

113,429

TOP: SDG offers a laid-back lifestyle and plenty of incentives to would-be business investors.

Events such as the Raisin River Canoe Race above, and the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, keep up the community spirit.

For Luc McCabe and Sue Stewart, returning to life in the county was less of a date and more about rekindling an old relationship. The owners of The Finch Market in downtown Finch left neighbouring Cornwall to start a grocery store focused on fresh, high-quality food at a location where Stewart’s mother once worked. While McCabe’s pre-COVID plans included catering and a chef tour, the pandemic has redirected his energies towards running the store.

“We have expanded the vendors we stock from a dozen to over 30, so keeping stock is a job in and of itself,” says McCabe.

“We’re very grateful that people are willing to drive out to support us, and the locals

DEMOGRAPHICS

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Median age

53%

6.2%

Unemployment rate

Percentage of population with post-secondary education

have been excited by what we’ve done with the store.”

“I’ve never seen Luc know so many people’s names and their jobs,” adds Stewart.

McCabe and Stewart’s focus on food is a ripe idea for the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry region, which includes Ontario’s dairy capital and boasts many food and beverage manufacturers.

But Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry doesn’t just offer lip-smacking local eats.

Morrisburg is home to a plant owned by Germany’s KaVo Kerr, which makes steel dental tools. Just 10 minutes up the road from this manufacturing plant, sits the historic and quaint Upper Canada Village.

MEDIAN TOTAL INCOME (2015)

$30,935

Business opportunities ‣ T he county offers 50 per cent matching grants for property

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improvements to encourage growth and development.

‣ A s part of this year’s budget, the counties are working on urban renewal in St. Andrews West and bridge repair and rehabilitation.

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CONTACT Tara Kirkpatrick manager, economic development 613-932-1515 ext. 227 tkirkpatrick@sdgcounties.ca

S NT, DUNDA STORMO Y R R & GLENGA

TOP 5 PRIVATE-SECTOR EMPLOYERS Company

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Description

Key customers

Alexandria Moulding 20352 Power Dam Rd., Alexandria, ON K0C 1A0 1-866-377-2539 www.alexmo.com

400

Alexandria Moulding is Canada’s largest wood moulding manufacturer. Its mouldings are distributed globally.

Home builders and hardware stores worldwide

Lactalis Canada 70 Dickinson Dr., Ingleside, ON K0C 1M0 613-537-2226 parmalat.ca

400

Lactalis is part of an international, family-owned business founded in France in the 1930s. Parmalat Canada, one of Lactalis’ brands, operates a plant in Ingleside.

Grocery retailers and wholesalers. Lactalis owns brands such as Black Diamond, Cheestrings and Astro.

Guildcrest Homes 20 Mill St., Morewood, ON K0A 2R0 613-448-2349 guildcrest.com

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Guildcrest Homes marks its 30th anniversary in 2021. It builds homes at a factory in Morewood and sells them across Ontario and Quebec through 20 authorized builders.

Home-buyers seeking pre-fabricated, modular options

KaVo Kerr 55 Laurier Dr., Morrisburg Station, ON K0C 1X0 613-543-3791 www.kavokerr.com

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KaVo Kerr is one of the world’s largest steel dental bur (used for cutting bone and tooth) manufacturers in the world. KaVo Kerr’s presence in Morrisburg began with its purchase of Beavers Dental, founded more than 70 years ago.

Dental clinics and orthodontists

KP Building Products Ltd. 300 MacDonald Blvd., Alexandria, ON K0C 1A0 1-800-267-9395 www.farleywindows.com

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KP Building Products operates a window manufacturing plant in Alexandria, which was founded in 1952. It is one of the largest manufacturers of construction materials in Canada.

Homeowners seeking environmentally efficient window options

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TRANSPORTATION LINKS

TOP

1 Highway 401, 416, and 417

1 Manufacturing and technology

2 St. Lawrence Seaway

2 Food and beverage processing

3 Bridges to U.S.

FUN FACT

Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry unites six distinct regions, each with its own charm and unique traditions.

From the Glengarry Highland Games and Canada’s oldest fair in Williamstown, to the historic ruins of St. Raphael’s church and the time-bending Upper Canada Village, which depicts 19th-century life, there are ample opportunities for business and leisure.

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4 VIA Rail stations in nearby Cornwall

INDUSTRIES

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# of Employees

EASTERN ONTARIO

MARKET LEADERS LEADING STRONGER, AIMING HIGHER

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Centrosome Inc. Terlin Construction Ltd. MaxSys Staffing Bergeron Clifford LLP SnapCab Lépine Apartments

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— SPONSORED CONTENT —

Local entrepreneur focused on helping other small businesses succeed Affiliated companies provide key services and support

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evin Sterling has done more than just study the world of small business en route to earning an MBA. Over the past 20 years, he’s also lived through the intensive effort of starting and growing his own companies, as well as being a part of a major acquisition. Now, he’s leveraging his experiences to provide a range of services and supports to help other entrepreneurs. He and his teams at Centrosome and Sterling Spaces are helping small businesses succeed by delivering customized, effective small business consulting services and online training as well as creating an appealing co-working facility.

FAST FACTS

• Valuable business and bookkeeping tips offered via regular blog posts • Centrosome has clients all across Canada and the U.S. • Kevin Sterling also operates a local franchise for XP League, a coachled youth esports league group for local professionals and entrepreneurs. He is also the organizer of Divi Ottawa Meetup, designed to help small businesses harness the power of one of the best themes for beginners and advanced WordPress users.

What they do

Key advantages By executing on his vision of a one-stop shop for small business owners, Mr. Sterling is offering a uniquely packaged set of services to a community that has historically been underserved. “Fullcharge, cloud-based bookkeeping is ideal for small businesses as it offers

Kevin Sterling, President, Centrosome Inc full transparency and near real-time updates,” he notes. “The most common response from Centrosome clients is that the services we provide reduces stress and frees up time, allowing them to focus on their core activities and on growing their business.”

Meeting new challenges Sterling Spaces came about as Centrosome’s team grew threefold.

“We needed new offices and saw the opportunity to create a co-working space for ourselves and others in the east end of Ottawa,” he says. “We have a range of flexible membership packages from just a few hours per month right up to 24/7 access; it’s a comfortable, safe and professional environment.

Launching a new venture right before

the pandemic struck definitely tested our resiliency, but we gained some valuable insights which we are now sharing with clients.”

Community extras In addition to his volunteer work to help small businesses via Invest Ottawa and Founders Fund, Mr. Sterling also runs Side Hustle Ottawa, a free communitybuilding, support and networking

Looking forward A soon-to-launch side project through Sterling Spaces will offer a full small business workshop series, capitalizing on Mr. Sterling’s experience as a successful small business owner and small business adviser. The sessions will include everything from tax seminars to cash flow workshops, how-tos about incorporating, basic bookkeeping training, an overview of social media marketing and more, all via an engaging online learning platform.

5-2164 Montreal Rd. Ottawa, ON 343-883-9170 www.centrosome.ca

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“Centrosome is focused on providing both bookkeeping and IT consulting services for the small-business market,” Mr. Sterling explains. “Every company needs professional bookkeeping support at some point and with our depth of business experience I feel like we are also very well-suited to providing good guidance on a range of issues affecting small businesses. Centrosome can help with tax preparation and incorporation services, plus we can make referrals as needed to other qualified service providers such as lawyers and accountants.”

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— SPONSORED CONTENT —

Terlin Construction leading and innovating in the retail, commercial and institutional sectors Unparalleled quality and reliability thanks to in-house talent plus a vast network of specialists

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n established leader in general contracting, Terlin Construction’s reputation is built on well-earned trust and making customer satisfaction the highest priority. Like company president, Terry McLaughlin, the Terlin team has a remarkable ability to forge meaningful and lasting relationships; these connections are the reason Terlin continues to enjoy success after more than 30 years.

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What they do

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Terlin Construction is distinguished by its end-to-end approach, coupled with unparalleled quality and reliability.

Having grown from a one-man operation to a cross-Canada network of over 200 staff members, subcontractors and consultants, the company has an impressive roster of clients. Terlin has completed projects from coast to coast for national organizations such as Shoppers Drug Mart, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, A&W, Starbucks, Indigo/Chapters and more. The firm is equally adept at building highly functional, aesthetically pleasing offices for medical, dental and other professional clients. In addition, Terlin’s Infrasecure Division focuses on the infrastructure required to mitigate blast, ballistic and hostile vehicle attacks for public and private sector entities worldwide.

Key advantages “Thanks to our in-house talent plus our extensive network of designers and

FAST FACTS

• Terlin has a London, U.K. office that serves as the headquarters for its international projects and, as a result of an increased presence in Western Canada, is currently opening a Calgary office.

• Terry is a third-generation carpenter who worked hand-in-hand with his father and grandfather doing carpentry and cabinetmaking; the tradition of working with family continues to this day.

Terry McLaughlin, president, Terlin Construction consultants, we are experts at taking the client’s initial rough sketches, helping to establish an appropriate budget and putting together the best team for each project. Our process has never failed,” McLaughlin explains. In addition to general contracting services, Terlin’s state-of-the-art millwork facility and service department add even more value to the equation — it is all part of their end-to-end approach.

High marks

Meeting new challenges

The extras

Typical of the firm’s responsive approach to doing business, it swiftly developed a protective shields product line as the pandemic reached Canadian shores. In just days, the company figured out how to design, manufacture and distribute across North America, quickly becoming one of the biggest suppliers in Canada, meeting the needs of scores of public- and private-sector clients.

Everyone at Terlin participates in charitable work, including the Château Laurier’s Trees of Hope fundraiser

Known as true problem-solvers, Terlin’s excellent track record and real desire to make their client’s dreams a reality means that when projects are done, true friendships are forged. “People like us, they trust us and they refer us to their colleagues, clients, suppliers, family and friends.

I feel that’s the strongest measure of success,” notes McLaughlin.

• The firm’s roster includes clients across North America and in more than a dozen countries around the world

for CHEO, for which Terlin is the Angel Sponsor. The firm has also donated protective shields to food banks, Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, the Salvation Army Grace Manor and more. “Helping our community is part of the fabric of our company,” says McLaughlin. “It’s amazing to be able to do this — we love finding ways for staff to help out so they feel connected.”

1240 Teron Rd. Ottawa, Ontario 613-821-0768 www.terlin.ca

— SPONSORED CONTENT —

National staffing and solutions firm MaxSys helping job-seekers and employers thrive Bringing stability and success to a turbulent labour market

T

he ever-shifting labour market presents both challenges and opportunities for job-seekers and employers across our region, but the experts at MaxSys, the largest Canadian-owned staffing firm in the country, are ready, willing and able to help. Headquartered in Ottawa, the company has grown steadily over the past 28 years and now operates 14 offices from coast to coast. Future growth, both organic and through mergers and acquisitions, is in the plan.

FAST FACTS

High marks The company receives praise from job-seekers and employers alike. “Our resources tell us they like dealing with MaxSys because all our people have a lot of empathy, experience and understanding,” says founder and CEO Bryan Brulotte. “They feel confident that they are dealing with one of the top-tier companies in the country, which will present them to the very best of their experience and capability.

We are also able to offer flexibility to workers that is particularly appreciated now. Similarly, our clients — many of whom we have been dealing with for years — value the quality of the candidates we send their way and they like the stability of our incredibly dedicated and talented staff. They really appreciate the level of care we take to make the right match and ensure everyone’s success.”

Above and beyond

MaxSys specializes in matching qualified candidates with openings in the federal government, the IT departments of Fortune 500 companies, as well as the logistics and warehousing industries, which are currently booming in Eastern Ontario. Whether you are

Of note, MaxSys has a vested interest in assisting veterans, their families and reservists find jobs. Brulotte is a former Canadian military officer (regular forces and reserves) who currently serves as the Honourary Colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guards

(GGFG), set to celebrate its 150th anniversary under his watch in 2022.

MaxSys secures job placements for more than 1,000 veterans each year, in addition to contributing generously to Canada’s military community. A focus on military community advocacy serves to raise awareness of veterans’ skillsets to potential employers nationwide.

The extras Not only does MaxSys offer multiple platforms and portals for ease of access, its candidate screening is done by experienced human recruiters, not an

AI tool. The firm also offers referral bonuses for successful placements.

MaxSys holds ISO9001 certification, a quality standard designed to help companies focus on customer requirements, and is also certified by the Inclusive Work and Supply Council of Canada (IWSCC). Notable recent projects for MaxSys include supplying personnel to work on cyber security projects with the Department of National Defence, at the National Research Council’s Montreal vaccine production facility and in cannabis warehousing and logistics.

Head Office 173 Dalhousie St., Ottawa 613-562-9943 www.maxsys.ca

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What MaxSys does

CEO & Chairman of MaxSys: Dr. Bryan Brulotte KJ CD, with family

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• 14,000 average annual placements • 250,000 people placed since 2001 • 150 software skillset tutorials available inhouse for skill upgrading • Impressive client database of more than 12,000 contacts • Searchable job listings in 70 Canadian communities available 24/7

looking for a temporary job, a contract position or permanent employment, MaxSys can expedite the process and get you working faster in a job — be it general labour, administration, marketing, management and more — that is ideal for your skillset, experience and availability.

— SPONSORED CONTENT —

Bergeron Clifford LLP recognized as one of Canada’s Top-10 Personal Injury Law Firms Helping clients and their families focus on the recovery process after illness or accident

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hris Clifford may have initially garnered attention for being the first net minder in the Ontario Hockey League to score a goal, but now, this NHL alumnus is best known for making a big difference in the lives of people with injuries and disabilities. As managing partner of the personal injury law firm Bergeron Clifford LLP, he is part of a growing team that represents those who are suffering as a result of illnesses and accidents. Based in Kingston and with offices across Eastern Ontario, the firm has more than 20 years of focused experience with this complex practice area.

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What they do

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Bergeron Clifford offers the best possible legal care, expertise and resources to ensure a settlement or court award that is fair to the victim and family for years to come. “We work hard to maximize our clients’ recovery and access benefits and compensation to help mitigate their losses,” says Clifford. “We have a long and successful history; the firm, which has grown strategically from a team of three to over 30, now includes a number of practitioners who have received their certified specialist designation.”

Above and beyond With offices in Kingston, Ottawa, Carleton Place and Perth, the firm is actively working where clients reside and are undergoing rehabilitation.

“When it is permissible, we often go to their home to gain insight into how

FAST FACTS • Bergeron Clifford was honoured to receive the 2020 Vigmond Philanthropy Award from Spinal Cord Injury Ontario

• Informative articles posted regularly on the company’s public blog • Ranked as one of Canada’s Top 10 Personal Injury Law Firms by Canadian Lawyer Magazine Chris Clifford is a founding partner of the personal injury boutique law firm Bergeron Clifford LLP. a client’s injuries are affecting their lives,” he notes. “One of our primary goals is to facilitate maximizing the recovery process, which we can do because of our familiarity with many excellent treatment providers in our region. We focus on looking after our clients to the best of our ability and endeavour to ensure they get the care and compensation they need and deserve.”

High marks Clients consistently praise the firm for its compassion and sensitivity. “Both myself and the other founding partner, Ted Bergeron, started out practising on the other side of the fence for insurance companies. I find it easier to represent the injured party and look after them.

In a David and Goliath situation, I’d

rather be David,” explains Clifford.

“Being able to help an injured person and their family grapple with the emotional and physical costs of injury or illness is very rewarding.”

The extras “Because personal injury law is much broader than many people realize and legislation is changing all the time, the firm is an ideal size to stay on top of and roll with the changes,” says Clifford. “Not only is ongoing training

• Kingston office includes a courtroom to present cases in mock trials, complete with juries, retired judges and retired defence counsel; college and university students frequently participate

a high priority for us; so too is being very active in the communities where we practise. We select charitable activities not necessarily because they are related to our business or are good marketing opportunities, but because of their impactfulness.”

1 Hyperion Court Kingston, ON 613-384-5886 www.bergeronclifford.com

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Innovative Kingston firm creating space for communities of usefulness Flexible work pod solutions for safety, privacy and collaboration

F

or a company that is laserfocused on being useful, rather than on profits, SnapCab’s unique work pods have nevertheless garnered a lot of attention and the company continues to innovate.

Building on decades of success as a leader in elevator interior customization solutions, SnapCab developed an office pod product line, creating booths and small conference rooms for audio privacy in increasingly common open-concept workplaces.

Key advantages

Meeting new challenges

• SnapCab doors support hanging items up to 650 pounds • Synthetic felt walls are made from recycled plastic bottles

offer greater safety for health workers.

Having designed and developed several medical testing pods, we’re now working with CannonDesign, a leading medical facility company, to bring these products to market.”

High marks Bostock notes that while many customers initially purchase pods for sound privacy, they end up being surprised at how comfortable they are and how open they feel because at least one wall is all glass. “Pods are ideal as small isolation offices allowing people to have line of sight to co-workers.

Our SnapCab Consult, a two-person pod with a glass wall separating the compartments, has HEPA filters and sound blocking glass and is ideal for safe, face-to-face private conversations with no masks required. We donated our first one to a church in Ottawa – they dubbed it the God Pod – and it’s proven very useful indeed.”

Glenn Bostock sits in a SnapCab Meet 2 home office pod, customized to match his home decor. This pod gives residential users the quiet space they need to work from home.

Looking forward The company — which designs and manufactures its pod products in Kingston — is also focused on helping to shape the workplace of the future with its enhanced isolation pods that allow for a safe return to work. Bostock anticipates significant demand for soundproof phone booths on factory floors and small conference rooms and customized, private individual

SnapCab

®

work pods in offices, co-working spaces and homes. “I believe we are well-positioned to play a key role in developing the next generation of workplaces because our products are ideally suited to fulfill a variety of needs.

Our experiences over the past year have really driven home our core values as a company, which are to be kind, be authentic and be useful while creating value for others,” he says.

70 Railway St. Kingston, ON 1-855-762-7222 snapcab.com

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Like many companies, SnapCab quickly saw that it was in a position to seek new opportunities when the global pandemic struck. “We realized that our products geared towards office, industrial and warehouse spaces were ideal for other applications,” explains Glenn Bostock, founder and CEO. “We decided to modify our pod system to create medical testing spaces to

• SnapCabs have been installed at Pepsi, Amazon and Google as well as in churches, hospitals, libraries, schools and homes

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One of SnapCab’s greatest advantages is its flexibility. All pods are highly customizable in terms of size and layout, and virtually any surface material can be applied. Most are on heavy-duty casters, making them easy to move, and pods can be connected together to create different clusters of working spaces, using the company’s proprietary Connects modular wall system. With a 10-year warranty, pods are made with a heavy-gauge aluminum structural frame and SnapCab panels can easily support mounting computer monitors, televisions and air conditioners.

FAST FACTS

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Renfrew apartments strike a balance between ‘urban comfort and country leisure’

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mid a surge in demand for homes in the Ottawa Valley, a local real estate firm is constructing a new high-end development that can help realtors work with their clients to move out of the city and closer to nature.

At the Lépine Lodge in Renfrew, the six-building apartment development provides tenants with the right balance of city comfort and country leisure.

Located just minutes away from local shops and restaurants as well as nature

FIND A LÉPINE APARTMENT NEAR YOU Looking to transition to a luxury apartment? Lépine Apartments has a number of locations across the Ottawa region for you to explore.

• • • • • •

Howard Grant Terrace (Barrhaven) Johanne’s Court (Carleton Place) The Lépine Lodge (Renfrew) Les Terrasses Francesca (Overbrook) Saint Émilion (Kanata) The Normand (Kanata)

The great outdoors Inside the complex, residents can enjoy high-class amenities including a fitness centre, yoga studio and underground parking.

The development is also equipped with a bicycle storage room and is located near snowmobile trails, walking paths and several other outdoor activities for those looking for more nature adventures.

“Lépine Apartments’ Renfrew development is a great spot for tenants who want a quieter lifestyle without having to fully commit to country living,” explains Lépine. “The units offer the comforts of a luxury apartment with the views of a country home.”

The large open-concept rooms have enough space for residents to comfortably work from home. Tenants also have access to a landscaped courtyard and pond for outdoor lunches or work breaks.

In keeping with the natural feel of the apartment grounds, the units come with large energy-efficient windows that allow for ample light flow through the living space.

Natural materials can also be found throughout the unit, including hardwood floors, granite countertops, ceramic tile and wood cabinetry.

A carefree lifestyle For realtors with clients looking to make the move out of the city, the Lépine Lodge in Renfrew is the perfect home to make the transition.

Young couples, working professionals and retirees can enjoy a more carefree lifestyle with direct access to nature,

while maintaining a high standard of living indoors.

“With high ceilings and spacious layouts, units at Lépine Lodge check all the boxes,” says Lépine.

“People working from home are craving a space where they feel like they can disconnect at the end of the day.

Renfrew is a great place to do that.”

Built using high-quality materials and outfitted with luxury amenities and finishings, Lépine Lodge should be at the top of any realtors’ list.

1-888-4LEPINE 613-254-6583 Josh@lepineapartments.com www.lepineapartments.com

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Schedule a viewing at one of their many locations today:

trails, waterways and mountain regions, the development is combining luxury amenities with the charm of living outside of an urban hub.

“People are now realizing it’s not just the look and feel of a home that’s important. It’s also about the location,” says company president Francis Lépine.

“Realtors are being flooded with requests from residents who want to move to the country without giving up the luxuries they’re used to.”

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Thousands of local jobs in manufacturing

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What cool stuff is being made?

Can manufacturing be a career for me?

Visit stuffmadeandbuilt.ca

STUFF MADE AND BUILT

Eastern Ontario’s awesome output We scoured the Eastern Ontario region and discovered all kinds of interesting things are being made in the areas that surround Ottawa. From pyrotechnics and soft armour to keto-friendly fudgesicles and baseball bats used by major leaguers, this innovative region is doing it all.

MAJOR LEAGUE BALL BATS CARLETON PLACE The Original Maple Bat Corporation is the home of the SAM BAT, the first maple bat used by Major League baseball players back in 1997. Thanks to the SAM BAT, maple has come to supplant ash as the wood of choice in the major leagues. It all began over a beer at Ottawa’s nowclosed Mayflower Pub, when founder Sam Holman was challenged to address baseball’s problem with breaking too many ash bats.

FAIRY SWEET ICE CREAM CORNWALL EOBJ POWERBOOK SPRING 2021

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Ketogenic diet aficionados in Cornwall have a hometown option for sugar fixes. The motherdaughter team of Suzanne Martin and Sue-Ann Heitmann at the Fairy Sweet gourmet bakery offers special “Keto That” menu products for those cutting back on carbs, along with traditional chocolate and cake goodies. Keto-friendly delicacies include ice creams with just two grams of net carbs and fudgesicles with just one gram. This year, the duo built its Keto That concept into a whole new business of the same name. Keto That makes keto-friendly meals, including pogos, pizzas and lasagna and sells to Sobeys. The mother-daughter team hopes to turn its operation into a full manufacturing facility within one year.

STUFF MADE AND BUILT A BETTER FIRE TRUCK VARS/EMBRUN Who else would you turn to for a better fire truck than a former firefighter? Luc Thibault founded Battleshield Industries in 2012 as an equipment supplier and refurbisher of fire apparatus. In 2016, the company began designing and building its own fire trucks — pumpers, rescue pumpers, pumper tankers, tankers and rescue units. Today, Battleshield works with fire departments and municipalities throughout Eastern Canada as their “fire equipment one-stop shop.” In 2021, it expanded into outfitting for enforcement vehicles with such items as weapon and keyboard mounts for police vehicles. Battleshield does metal-forming, including laser-cutting, which allows the company’s technicians to cut metal for everything from hospital sanitary mounts to automobile bodies more quickly. It also provides mechanical services to vehicles such as firetrucks. The company is adding a new manufacturing facility this year, but is mum on what it will be building, except to say it’ll fulfil an outside contract. Battleshield has close to 50 employees and expects to add between 25 and 50 before the end of 2021.

Making businesses better Your small business is big business to us.

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Passion, it’s what drives entrepreneurs, family businesses

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and fast-growing companies. It’s also what inspires KPMG Enterprise to help drive your success.

Whether you need advice on tax planning, managing cash flow, or finding new markets, our team is ready to help.

Speak with a KPMG Enterprise advisor in Kingston today.

Simon Froggatt Lori Huber Office Managing Partner Partner, Audit T: 613-541-7379 T: 613-541-7320

Jonathan Warren Partner, Tax T: 613-541-7352

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HFI Pyrotechnics, whose signalling smoke grenades are shown here, is a trusted supplier to the Canadian military and has ongoing business with the U.S. Navy.

UNLOCK THE TASTE OF AWARDWINNING LOCAL SPIRITS JOHNSTOWN

One of the Canadian leaders in pyrotechnics expects to more than double production in 2021 and has added 50 jobs since October 2020, thanks to the national Munitions Supply Program (MSP), which qualifies the firm as a trusted supplier to the Canadian military as well as ongoing business with the U.S. Navy.

HFI Pyrotechnics, located on a 500-acre production and testing facility, will now manufacture military search-and-rescue markers, such as the C8 Smoke Grenade, that help the Canadian military locate people in dangerous situations. It also makes similar products for the U.S. Navy.

HFI began as Hands Fireworks, which started lighting up skies in 1873.

THIS WAY OUT PEMBROKE

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Looking for the exit? Look no further than Pembroke’s SRB Technologies, world leader in self-powered emergency lighting and exit signs. Luminexit and Betalux-E models light the way out of hotels, theatres and other public buildings all over the world. SRB is keeping us safe during the pandemic as well, with the production of thousands of Health Canada-licensed face shields each week. The company has shipped face shields to more than 115 institutions across the country.

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Fine organic kosher spirits can be found along the shores of the St. Lawrence River.

The family operation has won 14 medals in the Canadian Artisan Spirits and San Francisco World Spirits Competitions in just the past three years, including gold for its Whiskyjack Rye and silver for its 1000 Islands Moonshine. A history lesson is free of charge as you imbibe, as most product names evoke local history — Von Schoultz Vodka is named after a general who led the Battle of the Windmill during the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1838 against the Loyalists in the area. He and his 150 men surrendered to the British and he was apprehended and tried by none other than future prime minister John A. Macdonald. He lost and was hanged at Fort Henry in Kingston.

LIGHTING UP THE SKIES DOMVILLE

STUFF MADE AND BUILT SOFT ARMOUR THAT HAS YOUR BACK ARNPRIOR A decade ago, Pacific Safety Products shifted its headquarters from B.C. to Kanata to take advantage of local engineering and management talent. It already operated its manufacturing facility in Arnprior and commanded the Canadian market as a supplier to law enforcement.

PSP now sells its high-performance soft body armour to clients across North America. From bullets to blasts to knives, PSP has its customers covered.

THE GYMNASIUM OUTFITTERS ALMONTE

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Almonte may be famous as the birthplace of basketball inventor James Naismith, but SportSystems is giving the guy with the peach baskets a run for his money.

The company designs, manufactures and installs custom equipment for just about anything in a gymnasium. This includes basketball hoops and backboards, tennis posts and nets, soccer goals, gym divider

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curtains, floor padding and bleachers for spectators. SportSystems’ installations can be found everywhere, from Inuvik to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

SMALL REACTORS WITH BIG IMPACT RENFREW COUNTY Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is building on Canada’s proud track record in the design, construction, licensing and operation of small modular reactors (SMRs.) These are intended to deliver versatile clean-energy technology for

IN CANADA IT IS PROHIBITED TO INTENTIONALLY ALARM THE QUEEN. Mann Lawyers will keep you from breaching royal etiquette and the law.

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carbon-free hydrogen production, electricity generation and industrial steam or heat applications in remote or off-grid locations. They incorporate new fuels, materials and designs for greater safety and efficiency at a lower cost compared to old reactor systems.

YOUR CABLES ARE COVERED BROCKVILLE Soup to nuts. That’s how Todd Stafford, president of Northern Cables, describes the company’s inner workings. Northern Cables manufactures industrial cables from raw plastic, aluminum and copper.

An ongoing expansion will add three new buildings, including a 50,000-square-foot addition to its manufacturing facility and massive silos. Hiring ramped up in late 2020 with 30 new jobs since October, and the company expects to add another 30 in 2021 — consider it a way to mark the 175-employee company’s 25th anniversary. (stuffmadeandbuilt.ca) TOP: Almonte’s SportsSystems installs bleachers in stadiums across North America, along with other sport-related equipment and infrastructure.

MIDDLE: Student Micah Hurley learns glass-blowing skills at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, which builds small reactors in Renfrew County.

BOTTOM: Brockville’s Northern Cables is adding 500 square feet to its facility and 30 new jobs this year.

https://www.cornwall.ca/en/do-business/economic-development.aspx

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SPONSORED CONTENT

EXPERIENCE WEST RENFREW COUNTY

The land, the lifestyle, the future

West Renfrew County in the Ottawa Valley is a big place… a really big place. There’s room to roam, to relax, to work and to play in a region that cherishes its roots but keeps an eye on the future.

The land

Many of the residents celebrate a proud Polish heritage and you can still find the hippies who arrived in the area in the late ’60s and early ’70s, and their descendants, living, working and communing. Rich in an appreciation for the land, art and culture, dynamic local businesses are going at full throttle.

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The traditional forestry and sawmill industry is as modern, entrepreneurial and global in reach as any IT company. Major area companies like Ben Hokum & Son, Murray Bros. Lumber Company, Pastway Planing and Lavern Heideman & Sons in the forestry and value-added wood process sector are anchors for employment. There is also an abundance of niche and innovative businesses in manufacturing, services, construction, retail and arts and culture.

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St. Francis Herb Farm, an herbal remedy and supplement research and manufacturing company, is undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion to better serve its global customers.

Also headquartered in Renfrew County is Rapid Media, the world’s leading and largest paddle sports media company; with founder and publisher, Scott MacGregor, who lives, works and plays along the banks of the Madawaska River, consciously living the lifestyle where readers want to be.

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The western reaches of Renfrew County, towards Algonquin Park, are big places too.

Mountains stretch along the Opeongo Line, forests abound and diverse natural delights can be found throughout the valleys of the Madawaska and Bonnechere Rivers, major tributaries to the Ottawa River. Unique villages, towns and industry thrive and creative spirits flourish in the hills and galleries. The area has been enjoying the increased interest in rural communities, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic started a year ago. With waterfront properties, natural landscapes and an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, Renfrew County has been fast attracting remote workers, entrepreneurs, retirees and others just looking for a change of pace and the opportunity to take advantage of low interest rates and relatively lower property values.

The future

Whether you’re seeking promising new investment prospects, a change of pace or a whole new career, there are abundant opportunities throughout Renfrew County. As an investor, entrepreneur or job seeker looking to start your next venture in our region, connect with us at www.InvestRenfrewCounty.com.

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Let’s arrange a tour of the Valley for you!

Check us out at Renfrew County Economic Development and Investment Services 613.735.0091 | www.InvestRenfrewCounty.com