Category: Economic Development
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Welcoming Communities: Supporting the People Behind the Harvest

Importance of International Agricultural Workers in Ontario Each year, approximately 45,000 International Agricultural Workers (IAWs) arrive in Ontario, accounting for 28 per cent of Ontario’s primary agriculture workforce. Beyond their work in the fields, every IAW supports one to two local jobs up the supply chain (transportation, marketing etc.). They also contribute directly to local…
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Insights from the 2024 BR+E Provincial Roll-up

This is the Ontario government’s BR+E program results based on the 2024 survey.
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Join our Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program Info Sessions & Learn How to Apply

The new Rural Ontario Development (ROD) program is accepting applications until September 24, 2025! This is a $20 million investment over the next two years. Information webinars: Learn how to get funding to help boost growth in your rural community and create strong businesses by joining the Ministry of Rural Affairs for a live info…
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Join Us for the Teeny Tiny Summit in Strathroy-Caradoc!

Join us for a full day of local economic development learning and networking at the Teeny Tiny Summit in Strathroy-Caradoc located in southwestern Ontario. The event will be held the Caradoc Community Centre on June 18, 2025 starting at 8:30 AM and concluding at 4:00 PM. What is the Teeny Tiny Summit? Teeny Tiny Summits…
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2025 Teeny Tiny Summit Series

Engage and Energize-Empowering Teeny Tiny Places We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Teeny Tiny Summit series, themed “Engage and Energize – Empowering Teeny Tiny Places.” These exciting events will take place on April 29 in Manitouwadge, May 1 in Picton, and June 18 in Strathroy-Caradoc. Teeny Tiny Summits focus on economic development for small…
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BR+E Training Sessions – Starting April 30!

Is your community planning to engage with businesses in your community or start a Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) project this year? Plan to attend the upcoming BR+E training sessions to learn about best practices for engaging the businesses in your community. The BR+E program allows participants to learn ways to improve their community to…
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New dates! Strategic Planning for Your Organization – Webinar Series begins March 20, 2025!

A Free Webinar Training Series For Not-for-Profit Organizations This free train-the-trainer webinar series is designed for organizations to gain valuable skills and tools to facilitate their own strategic planning. Based on the Ministry of Rural Affairs’ Strategic Planning Resource manual, this step-by-step interactive webinar series will help organizations improve their effectiveness, strengthen their volunteer leadership…
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Town of Petawawa’s First Impressions Community Exchange with North Grenville Yields Positive Results

The Ministry of Rural Affairs’ First Impressions Community Exchange (FICE) program can help communities gain fresh perspectives and unique insights based on how first-time visitors engage in and experience their community. The FICE program involves members of one community visiting another participating community, and reporting their thoughts on areas of improvement, opportunities and successes to…
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Tips to Help Organizations Prepare for their Annual General Meeting

Annual General Meetings (AGM) are meetings that are held annually for the members or ‘owners’ of an organization. The meeting allows the board of directors to demonstrate how they have governed the organization over the past year and an opportunity for members and directors to talk with each other. All AGMs should cover the following…
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The Importance of Good Preparation in Belleville’s BR+E Project

How good preparation factored into Belleville’s BR+E project “Prosper Belleville”.
