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Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development Have Announced Dissolution
/The Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) Board of Directors has formally announced its intention to dissolve the corporation announced on Monday morning.
The establishment of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (operating as PKED) in 1998 resulted from the 1997 GPA 2020. Photo courtesy of the PKED.
The decision came following written notice that The City of Peterborough and Peterborough County intend to change the delivery models of economic development and tourism and will not renew the tri-party Memorandum of Understanding between the City, County and PKED, which expires on Dec. 31 according to a press release.
The Board of Directors formed a dissolution committee and decided to cease operations by the end of the year in compliance with the Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act.
“As reports on new economic development and tourism models are being considered councils in June, we eagerly await the opportunity to review them and to identify opportunities for service continuity for the businesses and clients that rely on PKED,” said Burton Lee, PKED board of directors chair. “As a high-performing economic development agency, the health and vitality of the local economy are at the core of our mission, and our team has a vested interest in supporting a mutually beneficial transition.”
According to the PKED, since last fall, the Board of Directors has been seeking clarity on the municipalities' plans. During that time, PKED was working towards a smooth transition to a new economic development model, with limited disruption of services to businesses, investors and visitors.
“The critical value of our team's knowledge, expertise and relationships with local, regional, national, and international partners, businesses, investors, and media cannot be understated,” said Rhonda Keenan, PKED's President and CEO. “It is our hope that the new models will include positions for our existing team of passionate and dedicated economic development professionals to continue serving the business community and attracting investment to the region.”
PKED is in the process of winding down operations for the second half of the year as stated in a press release.
“There will be a significant disruptive impact if these plans do not factor in the vast number of existing projects, programs and initiatives that PKED has developed,” said Lee.
PKED's Letters Patent and the tri-party MOU reflect that purpose and funding structure according to a press release. They continue to add that the City’s and County’s decision eliminates PKED's core funding structure. As a result, PKED cannot have the capacity or resources to deliver economic and tourism services on behalf of the region.
The dissolution resulted in the delivery of termination notices to staff and the provision of notice to vacate PKED's offices and the regional Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism Visitor Centre located in the Venture North business hub in downtown Peterborough, effective at the end of this year.
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Little Lake Cemetery, AON Inc., Canadian Canoe Museum and Four Mayors Breakfast
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Jeff Wakeford is retiring after 38 years at Little Lake Cemetery and Highland Park Funeral Centre.
He’s trading in his suit for a set of golf clubs. The team thanked him for his many years of hard work, wisdom and outstanding service to the community. Little Lake Cemetery offers a full range of funeral, cremation and cemetery services. They also operate Highland Park Cemetery and Crematorium and Highland Park Funeral Centre.
AON is hard at work in Havelock.
Construction has begun on a new 128 bed long-term care home, called Station Place, which is planned to open in August of 2025. This new facility is expected to bring 140 jobs to the region. In preparation for this, they’re holding a career expo on June 27 at 6 pm at the Havelock Centre. They have opportunities for experienced professionals, students, recent graduates, and those looking for a new challenge. At the expo, AON will share more about what opportunities will be available, what qualifications will be required, and what you can do to become qualified for the specific roles available.
After much anticipation, the Canadian Canoe Museum is open.
Drop by 2077 Ashburnham Dr. and check out the beautiful new location on the shores of Little Lake. Take in the new exhibition space and see the collection of more than 600 watercraft and learn their stories. Grab some coffee and a sandwich at the new Silver Bean Café location. Get some first-hand experience and explore the water yourself in a rented canoe or kayak.
The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is holding a Four Mayors Breakfast on Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Burleigh Falls Inn.
The event will include Mayor Carolyn Amyotte from North Kawartha, Mayor Sherry Senis from Selwyn, Mayor Heather Watson from Douro-Dummer, and Mayor Terry Lambshead from Trent Lakes. The event will include a full buffet breakfast, networking time, and a moderated discussion on local business issues with the mayors. Get your tickets at pkchamber.ca.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring East City Condo, DBIA, Kawartha Gymnastics and Living Well Senior Showcase
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
TVM Group has opened its new nine-storey East City Condo building at the corner of Armour Road and Hunter Street East, on the former St. Joseph’s Hospital property.
They refer to it as rivalling Toronto’s most upscale offerings. The building features a contemporary interpretation of the original hospital legacy with masonry architecture. The site of the new building was formerly a parking lot. Parking is underground and includes a host of electric vehicle chargers. Find out more and book a tour at eastcitycondos.com.
The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area has a new location and a new executive director.
The organization has moved into the Venture North building at 270 Water St. into unit 202A. They have also hired Nour Mazloum as their new executive director, taking over from Terry Guiel who left the organization in the fall. Nour brings experience and expertise from her time at Kingston Economic Development Corporation where she has worked for the last five years including the last two years as the marketing and communications manager.
Kawartha Gymnastics has a new location scheduled for a grand opening on June 15.
The new location is at 1575 Chemong Rd. in Peterborough. At 14,500 square feet, it’s twice the size of the old location. This new, bigger location will allow them to reconfigure the floor plan, enhance their equipment and training environment, and expand their programming and membership. The new building is going through some upgrades including a 30 by 20 in-ground foam pit.
The Living Well Senior Showcase is almost here.
Join us June 19 at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre for one of the largest seniors trade shows in Canada, featuring more than 100 exhibitors and two dozen workshops. Some booth spaces are still available for local businesses looking to participate. Chamber of Commerce membership is not required. The show provides a good opportunity both for those planning to retire and those well into their retirement years to see what the local business community has to offer. Learn more at pkchamber.ca.
Voice of Business: The Voice of Businesses Across the Country
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Chambers of commerce are your local voice of business. We meet with businesses, non-profits, charities, governments, and local stakeholders to identify barriers to economic growth and opportunities and push for that change.
While the issues vary between chambers and the communities they serve, they are far more similar than different. As a result, we work well together to take local grassroots ideas and issues and amplify them as an advocacy effort to municipalities, the provincial and federal governments, as well as other industry associations.
Most of the 1,000 members of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce do not have the resources to employ professional policy analysts and economists to research and draft effective policy proposals nor do they have the resources to hire government relations specialists and lobbyists to bring it to the attention of decision-makers.
That’s where the chamber network comes in. Across Canada there are more than 400 chambers and boards of trade working with 200,000 businesses to amplify the local issues that affect business across the country.
Recently, chambers from across Ontario met for our annual convention and policy debate. We discussed, debated, and ultimately approved 28 new policy resolutions on behalf of businesses across the province, including three submitted by our chamber. This brings our total to 103 policy resolutions in our 2024-2027 compendium. We have recommendations spanning everything from student housing to training people to work on electric vehicles to investments in life sciences. These policy resolutions are all topics we feel are relevant to businesses across Ontario. They are now a focal point for advocacy not just for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, but all of us local chambers.
Here are the summaries of our additions to this year’s policy compendium:
Enforcing fair property tax ratios
Issue
Businesses in Ontario pay much higher property tax rates than residents, despite using fewer services. The Ontario Municipal Act requires municipalities to tax commercial and industrial properties at a ratio of 0.6 to 1.1, but many municipalities have no plans to comply.
Recommendations
That the Ontario Chamber of Commerce urge the Government of Ontario to:
Enforce existing property taxation ratios set out in the Ontario Municipal Act Reg. 386/98: Tax Matters – Allowable Ranges for Tax Ratios by withholding provincial support — including access to provincial funding streams — to municipalities that:
are not taxing commercial and industrial properties at the required rates or
are not actively transitioning to the required rates based on a plan that specifies gradual decreases on a timeline approved by the Province.
Making Ontario more competitive for permanent residency
Issue
Ontario is less competitive than other provinces when approving permanent residency for new Canadians. This impacts our ability to attract talent at a time when we desperately need to increase our workforce.
Recommendations
That the Ontario Chamber of Commerce urge the Government of Ontario to:
Make Ontario more competitive for securing permanent residency by:
Tailoring the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program to target candidates who fall outside the federal criteria with an emphasis on those already working in Ontario, including establishing a program for those with long-term work experience in Ontario as a pathway to residency.
Reducing employment criteria barriers, including:
a. Providing clarity on what NOC codes will be invited in the future or eliminating the requirement to select a specific job or occupation from a list altogether.
b. Lowering the revenue requirement and requirements for a specific number of employees for businesses to allow for smaller businesses to sponsor permanent residents.
Opening up the Student Job Offer Stream program to students in one-year programs.
4Improving the functionality of the OINP website, providing a more up-to-date and user-friendly experience.
Maximizing Growth in Built Areas
Issue
Historic downtowns in cities across Ontario are full of underused mixed-use buildings. These multi-storey buildings have commercial space on the bottom and un- or under-used residential space in the upper floors. Inquiring about updating to once again have people living in these buildings can trigger expensive inspection processes on buildings that were built long before building, fire, and accessibility codes. Those that do try to develop these spaces are often met with unrealistic costs to meet heritage preservation and accessibility regulations, leaving empty housing in the heart of our towns and cities.
Recommendations
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce urges the Government of Ontario to:
Designate the Downtown Revitalization Program be used for a pilot project that allows private building owners and municipal officials to study and assess, using an independent consultant and without punitive action, the needs of a building or series of buildings in a downtown core.
Implement a policy for municipalities that will allow for the redevelopment of upper floors of aging mixed-use downtown buildings for use as residences that takes a fiscally responsible approach to heritage preservation and accessibility standards.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area Appoints New Executive Director
/The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has appointed Nour Mazloum as its new executive director, effective June 10, announced on Monday.
Mazloum has experience in marketing, communications and community engagement. Photo courtesy of DBIA.
Nour's appointment came after the former director Terry Guiel, stepped down last October.
During her tenure in Kingston, Mazloum spearheaded the launch of a Naloxone for Business program in collaboration with the Downtown Kingston BIA and established the Kingston Young Professionals Network, a platform for fostering collaboration and networking among emerging leaders in the community.
“I am excited to join the Peterborough DBIA as the new Executive Director,” said Nour Mazloum. “I am looking forward to working closely with the Board of Directors, downtown businesses and staff to advance the strategic priorities. Together, we will build on the momentum to ensure downtown Peterborough is a vibrant, inclusive and thriving urban space.”
As the new Executive Director, Nour Mazloum will oversee strategic initiatives, community engagement efforts, and placemaking projects further to elevate the vibrancy and appeal of downtown Peterborough according to a press release.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nour as our new Executive Director,” says Sacha Lai-Svirk, DBIA Chair. “Her proven leadership, innovative approach, and passion for community engagement make her the perfect candidate to lead the DBIA in its strategic revitalization initiatives. We are confident that Nour's appointment will mark a new chapter of growth and prosperity for downtown Peterborough.”
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Gauvreau Accounting, Kawartha Audiology, Feeflo Physiotherapy and Modern Makers Market Shop
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
Gauvreau Accounting Tax Law Advisory has launched a new division: Business Valuation Services.
This new service offering is essential when dealing with things like the purchase and sale of a business, succession planning and estate freezes, shareholder buyouts, tax planning and numerous other business situations. Gauvreau is one of the few Canadian accounting firms that can support all services in-house, including a tax specialist, corporate lawyer and chartered business evaluator. They are committed to fully supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Find out more at gauvreaucpa.ca.
There’s a new healthcare business in Norwood — Kawartha Audiology and Hearing Aid Clinic.
It’s your friendly neighbourhood center for all things hearing. They specialize in detailed hearing tests, comprehensive assessments, and personalized hearing aid evaluations — all designed to help you hear your best. The clinic is known for its warm and personable approach, ensuring that each visit is both comfortable and informative. Using the latest in hearing technology, their dedicated team is committed to providing top-notch care and practical solutions for your hearing needs. Check out their new location at 17 Spruce St., Unit 4A in Norwood.
Next door in Unit 5 at 17 Spruce St. in Norwood, Feeflo Physiotherapy has opened a second location.
Freeflo has you covered in recovering and maintaining your physical health. They offer physiotherapy to fix your shoulder, massage therapy because you threw out your lower back, and acupuncture to help relieve your pain. It’s all available at one convenient location.
Modern Makers Market Shop is just finishing up a beautiful renovation.
Drop by 651 Chamberlain St. in Peterborough to see the space and do some local shopping. The shop features a wide range of interesting products from creative local makers, including jewelry, baked goods and treats, soaps, children’s books, cleaning products, personal accessories, creative designs and more. Next weekend rolled ice cream will be back for the season. The market is also available online with an extensive online marketplace at modernmakersmarket.ca.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring PPF Growth and People Solutions, Green Economy Peterborough, Le Boat and JA Business Hall of Hame
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
PPF Group of Companies have launched a new HR division — PPF Growth and People Solutions.
Led by President Kimberly Callaghan, the firm will partner with organizations to design, support, and grow thriving and empowered businesses with engaged and inspired people. The company will focus on identifying pain points and tailoring solutions to support clients in achieving productivity and performance effectiveness, transforming their businesses by fostering a culture of continuous growth, innovation and a commitment to human-centric values and needs. Additional services include customized cloud-based solutions that are scalable, accessible, and impactful, meeting clients' needs and enabling their skills, knowledge, and capabilities.
Green Economy Peterborough is holding its annual Leadership in Sustainability Awards on May 16 at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre.
Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and the celebrations begin at 6 p.m. This networking and celebration event will showcase local business leaders prioritizing the environment in their operations and business practices. There will be a short presentation from Professor Stephen Hill of Trent University on his new book, Sustainable Energy Transitions in Canada.
Le Boat has officially opened in the Peterborough area. This Europe-based luxury vessel and houseboat rental company is kicking off a new Trent-Severn Waterway tour destination based out of Peterborough offering an opportunity to tour 386 km of rivers, lakes, and canals that make up the waterway. Le Boat now has scenic boat rental opportunities in Belgium, France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands, Scotland, Italy, Germany, and Canada. They have been in the business for 50 years and have experience helping you plan your dream boating adventure.
Get your tickets for the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame 2024 awards on May 23.
Tickets include not only an awards ceremony, but delicious culinary stations from local restaurants like Hanoi House, Fresh Dreams, La Mesita, Curry Village, Railyard, and That’s a Wrap. This year’s event will honour Tim Barrie, John Cunningham, Gwyneth James, Richard Labelle, Jill and Robert Staples, Jeannine Taylor, Nicole Truman, Cora Whittington, and the team at Winslow Gerolamy Motors.
Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Sweet Fern Floral Studio, Community Recognition Awards, Friendly Fires and Stylish Fit Alterations and Tailoring
/PTBOCanada is delighted to be running the Business Beat columns each week here, spotlighting new businesses and startups in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. Here is this week’s edition…
There’s a new flower shop opening at 387 Water St. in downtown Peterborough called Sweet Fern Floral Studio.
It opened officially on Friday. They are a full-service florist specializing in premium floral design. They do walk-in shopping and pickup and delivery in Peterborough and the surrounding area. Services include everyday florals, sympathy florals, wedding floral services, and event florals. Drop by the new shop in downtown Peterborough or go online to sweetfernfloralstudio.com to see what they have to offer and order your next arrangement.
A big congratulations to the winners of the Peterborough County 2024 Community Recognition Awards.
While there are too many well-deserving winners to list here, I’m going to highlight this year’s Business Leadership Award winners:
Asphodel-Norwood – Sweetheart’s Bakery, The Knockout and Dead Man’s Brew - all owned by Sara and Andrew Scott
Cavan Monaghan – Millbrook Mercantile – Bernadette MacNeil
Douro-Dummer – Molly Conlin Design & Drafting
Havelock-Belmont-Methuen – ZK Excavating Ltd. – Zack Johnston
North Kawartha – The Grape and Wedge
Otonabee-South Monaghan – Wesnor Inc dba Trailers Plus – Zoran Albert
Selwyn – The Chocolate Rabbit
A growing local retailer is being recognized on the national stage at the annual Retail Council of Canada Excellence in Retailing Awards.
Friendly Fires has been recognized in the best eCommerce experience for a retailer category. Other finalists for the awards include large national brands like Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons, and Walmart. Friendly Fires have shipped more than 100,000 individual fireplace and barbecue parts since launching online. Their online experience is closely integrated with their physical retail stores.
Stylish Fit Alterations and Tailoring now has two locations in Peterborough — 871 Chemong Rd. Unit 12 and 948 Weller St.
They offer men’s wear as well as alterations to make all your clothing fit. They specialize in Bridal and bridesmaid alterations, formal wear, leather and suede, zipper and button replacements, and more.
Maman Biomedical Inc. Earns $10,000 From Innovation Cluster LevelUP Pitch Competition
/Latchmi Raghunanan, co-founder of Maman Biomedical Inc. made a $10,000 pitch and was the winner of the Innovation Cluster’s first LevelUP pitch competition on Tuesday afternoon.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
