C
Business
onnections January 2016
Cultural Entrepreneurship Program Investing in the Arts
The Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) is thrilled to announce the launch of a new training and mentorship program targeting entrepreneurs in the arts and culture sector. Offered by the SBEC in partnership with the Province of Ontario, the Cultural Entrepreneurship Program is a pilot project that was approved by Orangeville Council in January and is now available to assist and support local entrepreneurs in starting or expanding a business within the arts and culture sector. The pilot project will run for six months, from January to June 2016. Candidates for the Cultural Entrepreneurship Program will be required to submit an application package to assess their eligibility. Once accepted into the program, participants will receive free business training, mentorship from local entrepreneurs, and assistance with business plan development. Upon completion of the program, a select number of participants may be eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 to help them start or expand their cultural/arts based businesses. To be eligible for the program, candidates must: • Create a new business, expand an existing business or buy a business from a retiring entrepreneur – eligible creative sectors include visual, cultural, performance, artisanal, media, heritage, and culinary arts; • Participate in training and mentorship sessions; • Be an Ontario resident; • Be prepared to commit a minimum average of 35 hours per week to running a business and to developing a realistic business plan. The SBEC is now accepting applications to the program. For more information on the program and to download an application, please visit www.orangevillebusiness.ca.
Business Retention + Expansion Initiative With the goal of identifying opportunities to better support their businesses, the Orangeville Economic Development office commenced a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) initiative with local business owners in the manufacturing sector in November 2015. Led by the Town’s Economic Development Committee, the BR+E team is currently completing the first step of the process and has already met with many local manufacturers to complete comprehensive surveys on a variety of business-related issues. Local manufacturers interested in participating in the program are encouraged to contact Ruth Phillips at rphillips@orangeville.ca or 519-941-0440 Ext. 2291.
orangevillebusiness.ca
Volume 7
Issue 1
Company Profile
TFI Aerospace - A Quarter Century of Excellence The Town of Orangeville salutes TFI Aerospace on the company’s upcoming anniversary and congratulates this Orangeville-based manufacturer on 25 years in operation. TFI originated in 1991 when its President Ted Squires purchased the assets of a Toronto-based company, Toronto Fasteners Industries. He operated the business in the Toronto area for several years until the business lease expired and Mr. Squires relocated the operation to Orangeville in 2002 with 13 employees. A central location with good proximity to the marketplace was a key factor in choosing Orangeville as the new home for TFI. According to Mr. Squires, “When our lease expired, I knew that I wanted to leave Toronto. I had moved to the Orangeville area already and was looking to reduce my commuting time. We selected Orangeville as the business location because it was within close driving distance for all of our key employees, had great lifestyle benefits, and it had everything we needed to grow our business.” TFI Aerospace manufactures high-end threaded fasteners, all of which comply with the appropriate standards and specifications for aerospace applications. Operating from a 20,000-square-foot facility, TFI has remained competitive and growth oriented by continually investing in research and development, practicing lean principles, and reacting quickly to customer needs. Commitment to quality has been a key factor in the success of this AS9100 and ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturer. With customers in every continent, including such industry leaders as Boeing, Bombardier, NASA, Rolls-Royce, and Lockheed Martin, TFI’s product is on almost all aircraft worldwide. Parts for the space shuttle Discovery, the International Space Station, and the Hubble Space Telescope are a few of the international and well-known projects involving TFI Aerospace. Orangeville is proud to be home to TFI Aerospace, and you can learn more about this business at www.tfi-aero.com.
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