Peterborough Blogs
Peterborough Bigs Executive Director Announces Departure Effective July 12
/After years of service to Big Brothers, Big Sisters Peterborough (Peterborough Bigs), Brent Shepard, executive director is leaving the organization effective July 12, announced on Friday morning.
BRENT SHEPARD (LEFT), LINDA CARDONA (MIDDLE) AND JON OLDHAM (RIGHT) WITH A CAPTURED PHOTO OF THE MURAL THAT STODD ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILD FOR 33 YEARS. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.
According to a press release, Shepard has opted to pursue a new opportunity.
The following is a statement from Shepard:
“I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with a team of dedicated staff, volunteers, donors and sponsors. During my time at BBBS, we’ve made significant strides in supporting Peterborough's children and youth. Together, we’ve been able to create so many mentoring memories by matching “bigs” with their ‘littles,’ creating lasting friendships and positive impacts. I am grateful and proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
Effective July 12th, I will be stepping down from my role. The organization is in capable hands, and I have full confidence in the team’s ability to continue our vital work. Please support and encourage them as they continue to bring their dedication and enthusiasm to their work.
Thank you for your unwavering support of our mentoring mission. Your dedication changes lives, and I am honoured to have been part of this journey.”
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Business Advisory Centre Services Moving to Community Futures Peterborough
/Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can access funding and advisory services in one place as Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) will begin delivering services provided by the Business Advisory Centre (BAC), announced on Monday morning.
(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) CHARLINA WESTBYE, CFP BOARD CHAIR; DEVON GIRARD, CFP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; BONNIE CLARK, PETERBOROUGH COUNTY WARDEN AND JEFF LEAL, PETERBOROUGH MAYOR. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.
“We couldn’t be more excited to offer a continuation of expert advisory services, as well as delivering Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) programs from the Community Futures Peterborough office,” says Devon Girard, CFP Executive Director. “We are thrilled entrepreneurs and business owners can access these additional services through our office door in Venture North.”
The BAC is a part of the Small Business Enterprise Centre program. It is funded by the Province of Ontario through the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, was previously operated by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED).
“The Province of Ontario is thrilled to announce the continuation of the SBEC program serving our community for decades,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough–Kawartha MPP. “We are fortunate CFP and PKED are both committed partners to ensure this smooth transition and are grateful they are committed to continuing this program, allowing entrepreneurs the tools they need to start and grow their businesses.”
PKED and CFP have worked for years to ensure entrepreneurs have access to the BAC programming, including developing business plans, market research, startup validation, and business expansion support, according to a press release. Several It continues to add that entrepreneurs would then come across the hall to Community Futures Peterborough to apply for a business loan. Forty per cent of CFP’s current loan portfolio has worked with PKED through the BAC.
“As the region undergoes substantial changes to the way economic development services will be offered, it is our top priority to ensure that the needs of business are at the forefront,” said Rhonda Keenan, PKED President and CEO. “Community Futures Peterborough is well-equipped to take on this important work, as we have always worked well together, sharing a substantial number of clients and an integrative referral system. We are proud to have had the opportunity to help so many businesses start and grow, and we remain committed to ensuring the continuity of the services we offer as the region’s Small Business Enterprise Centre and will continue to collaborate as CFP takes on this responsibility moving forward,” added Keenan.
CFP and PKED have confirmed that the City and County of Peterborough have agreed to the move between the two companies.
“The City of Peterborough is pleased to continue to partner with Peterborough County to support the Small Business Enterprise Centre as it transitions to Community Futures Peterborough,” said Jeff Leal, Mayor of Peterborough. “I’m thrilled that the team at Community Futures Peterborough will ensure that local small businesses and entrepreneurs continue to benefit from the essential supports that the SBEC provides.”
“Peterborough County is committed to ensuring a smooth transition of the Small Business Enterprise Centre in Peterborough,” says Warden Bonnie Clark. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and the SBEC provides essential support services to them and to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to set up in Peterborough County. We have full confidence in the team at Community Futures Peterborough and they have our full support as they take on this new responsibility.”
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Check Out The Business Beat This Week Featuring Cheeks Ahoy, Wanderlight Alpaca Experience, Canada's Dinosaur Park and Love You, Mean It
/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…
Cheeks Ahoy is turning 10!
Founder and creator Leah Black started the business shortly after having her first child and wanted to reduce waste by going the reusable diaper route. She encountered a lack of options for reusable wipes and decided to make her own. She soon found that the reusable wipes had a lot more uses. 10 years later, Cheeks Ahoy has a wide range of offerings, including bathroom, beauty, baby, parent, and kitchen products. Her team produces the products locally and they ship across the country and beyond. Check them out and put in your order at cheeksahoy.com.
Wanderlight Alpaca Experience in Douro-Dummer is launching a new offering starting June 25.
Wanderlight Alpaca Quest is an escape room-style game with the nature-based wonder of an alpaca walk. Ancient alpaca guardians have travelled through time to save their beloved alpacas from relentless hunters. It’s up to you to solve the puzzles they left behind to find the alpacas' secret hiding place before it is too late. Book your experience at wanderlightalpaca.ca.
Canada's Dinosaur Park is officially open for the season including their new Dinosaur Museum.
The popular Norwood-area attraction features a dinosaur drive-thru park with animatronic dinosaurs, a croc-walk, reptile sanctuary with 200 reptiles from around the world, mini-golf, and a bone yard for kids to dig for dinosaur bones. All proceeds go toward caring for the rescued reptiles in the sanctuary. Drop by 2206 County Road 38 in Asphodel-Norwood and take a tour.
There’s a new bar and restaurant coming to downtown Peterborough – Love You, Mean It.
It’s a joint project between Sam Sayer and Owen Walsh. Sam is the hard-working entrepreneur behind Sam’s Place and Sam’s Place Wienery and Owen has worked his way up at the deli from line cook to manager. The new restaurant will be at 135 Hunter St. W. in the former Food Forest location and will bridge the gap between casual and fine dining.
Voice of Business: For Peterborough to Grow, We Cannot Do It On Our Own
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This week on the Voice of Business was a step in the right direction for the future growth and development of Peterborough.
Siddhartha Nath, Consul General of India, held his first meeting outside of the GTA. Joel Wiebe, our VP of Operations & Government Relations and Sarah Budd, our President & CEO were present and led this open discussion.
Consul Nath was hosted by Mayor Jeff Leal and CAO Jasbir Raina on behalf of the City and Warden Bonnie Clark on behalf of the County. They were joined by a group of local businesses for a discussion on economic partnerships with India.
Our focus of this meeting was to foster the relationship between the consulate of India and Peterborough. There were many issues discussed at this meeting. Several concerns were raised around the cap on international students and its impact on local postsecondary educational institutions as well as recruitment for local businesses, including long-term care homes. With a staffing shortage like this, we are risking the quality of service that goes into taking care of our growing elderly population.
The Chamber voiced the need for a strong relationship with India. Many businesses rely on bringing new Indo-Canadian workers to maintain their staffing numbers. Local businesses
are relying on recruiting workers from India for roles like IT. With the shortage of international students, this could in turn lead to a staffing shortage.
After the concerns were voiced by local businesses, Mayor Jeff Leal and Bonnie Clarke voiced their proactive solutions to Siddhartha. Leal emphasized the need to increase the visibility of Peterborough and let others know about the advantages of Peterborough. Clark reiterated that we need to work more with the Indian government to show what Peterborough can offer and form more economic partnerships.
Nath responded to the Leal’s and Clark’s comments stating that he would work within the consulate to address our community concerns and conduct further investment promotion for Peterborough. Nath also stated the importance of reaching out to the Indian Consulate if there were any more concerns. Finally, the echoing message was, “If we want to see Peterborough grow, we need more investment and investment,” said Leal. furthermore, a strong relationship with the consulate of India can help facilitate this.
Content provided by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce.
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Morello's Independent Grocer Given Retailer Award Supporting Ontario Foods
/From creating prominent displays to promoting local produce, Morello’s Independent Grocer on Lansdowne Street received the Foodland Ontario Gold Level-Seasonal Award on Monday morning.
(left to right) Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP; Shawn Mahood, Morello’s Produce Manager and Dave Morello, Owner displaying some of Ontario’s fresh local produce such as strawberries from McLean Berry Farm in Lakefield. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The distinction is part of the 2023 Retailer Awards—given by representative Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP—and was given to stores that show excellence in display, promotion of Ontario foods, and support of Foodland Ontario.
“For us, it's such a proud thing,” said Dave Morello, owner of Morello’s Independent Grocer.
According to Foodland Ontario, the gold category is awarded to 12 Ontario retailers for distinguished excellence in three specific categories: seasonal, creative and cross-merchandised.
Seasonal
Presented for supporting the Ontario seasonal commodities of your choice.
Creative
Presented for the most creative display of Ontario commodities using themes, display props, unique signage, etc.
Cross-merchandised
Based on the number of non-produce items cross-merchandised with the Ontario commodity of choice, the compatibility of products, and appropriate signage.
