The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) Business Retention and Expansion program (BR+E) is a structured approach to economic development that helps communities to cultivate an environment for local businesses to grow and thrive. Since the program’s launch in 1998, over 10,000 businesses have participated in more than 300 BR+E projects across Ontario. Over the past two years, a broad range of communities such as the Town of Hanover, Dufferin County, Huron County and Whitewater Region have worked with OMAFRA staff to undertake BR+E projects to identify strategies for post-pandemic business growth.
Attend a free, three-part online BR+E training series in June if you are:
- An economic development professional who will be undertaking a BR+E project,
- An elected official or municipal staff who would like to learn more about the BR+E program,
- An individual who is interested in managing or coordinating a community BR+E project.

All four stages of BR+E will be covered during the OMAFRA BR+E training sessions listed below:
Session 1 | Tuesday, June 14th 10:30 am – 12 noon |
Optional Session | Friday, June 17th 10:30 am – 12 noon |
Session 2 | Tuesday, June 21st 10:30 am – 12 noon |
Session 3 | Tuesday, June 28th 10:30 am – 12 noon |
Click here to register for the sessions. More information about the OMAFRA BR+E program can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/business-retention-and-expansion-program
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