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Economic Development eNews | June 30, 2015
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Port's $35-million revitalization
puts it on map for new business
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The Port of Johnstown's new wharf and infrastructure renewal project was unveiled Friday, June 26, by officials heralding how it will draw new business and benefit eastern Ontario's economy. The official unveiling and open house attracted more than 400 people for the announcement, tours and a barbecue.
The new marine terminal allows the mutil-modal port to handle double the number of ships while having an additional 10 acres of lay-down space to accommodate various cargo. The expanded wharf is now approximately 18 acres, the equivalent of 13 American football fields.
The Port processes more than 1.2-million metric tons of bulk and liquid cargos every year by ship, rail and truck. It helps more than 300 farms transport wheat, corn and soybeans for ethanol fuel and food production. The new wharf ensures Ontario's salt mines can continue to transport 500,000 metric tons of salt by ship to the port each year.
The revitalization was made possible through investments of $11.5-million from both the Governments of Canada and Ontario and the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal through a Building Canada Fund. Three terms of township councils have worked on the project over the past several years to ensure its completion.
The Port was first constructed in 1930. See the full media release on our Community Releases page. |
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Top feature photo: The plaque unveiling with, from left to right: Edwardsburgh Cardinal, Mayor Pat Sayeau, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Environmental Science Officer Dr. Henry Lickers, Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown, the Honourable Lisa Raitt, MInister of Transport, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Grant Crack and Leeds Grenville MPP Steve Clark.
The inset photos (above and below) show the Port expansion from the top of the elevator during the open house, which also included tours of the Canadian Coast Guard vessel the Griffin.
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Elizabethtown-Kitley business AireSun Global receives funds
AireSun Global was acknowledged at the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation's (TICDC) AGM held at The Ivy on Thursday, June 18. The company received from TICDC a total $325,000 in start-up funding (preferred loan and grant) and monies to expand into the export market.
AireSun Global is a company operating under a Business-to-Business (B2B) model. It manufactures products derived from various agricultural feedstocks. Products include high performance organic penetrating oil, rust remover and cutting oil. AireSun Global is based in Elizabethtown-Kitley and has established clients internationally for its innovative bio-oil based product line that is 100% non-toxic and quickly bio-degradable.
TICDC has been in operation for 25 years. Executive Director Tom Russell said the corporation has provided more than $18.9-million in loans to 557 clients. This translates into 4,043 jobs created and 927 businesses started, expanded or maintained. TICDC is funded by the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario. Visit their website.
Pictured above from left: Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office Manager Ann Weir, AireSun Global Project Manager/COO Dave Leonard, AireSun Global CEO Tom O'Keefe, TICDC Vice-chair Ron Merkley, Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown and Elizabethtown-Kitley Mayor Jim Pickard. |
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About 100 people attended the Tourism Roundable on June 18. Above MP Blake Richards (top left) listens in to a discussion with, from left, Wendy Merkley of Andress Boat Works, Carol Sudds of 1000 Islands Cruises, and Mike Chicoine, right, of the Nation Valley ATV Club. Participants were eager to have their comments documented.
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Large turnout for Tourism Roundtable
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Tourism industry members and support organizations had the opportunity to share their challenges, new product concepts and ways to attract investment into the region at the Roundable hosted at the Quality Inn Hotel Royal Brock. The session with keynote speaker MP Blake Richards, Chair of the Parliamentary Tourism Caucus, included eight discussion tables with facilitators. MP Richards spoke about Canada's Signature Experiences Collection and Federal Tourism Strategy to increase awareness of Canada as a premier tourist destination.
The Roundtable was hosted by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Economic Development Office in partnership with MP Gord Brown and MPP Steve Clark. Discussion results are being reviewed and will be used to assist in the building of a Counties-wide tourism strategy. |
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Rideau Canal traffic jumps in May
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The number of vessels travelling through the Rideau Canal system increased 32% in the month of May compared to 2014. The number of vessels mooring rose by 20% in May.
A Parks Canada media release noted the increased use of canals means economic benefits for local communities and businesses and is due in part to recent investment and increased service levels along with active promotions.
One of many promotions by Parks Canada is free lockage on Canada Day. If you're traveling along the Rideau stop and see Westport's Canada Day parade at 3 p.m., followed by the village's fireworks display at dusk. For the full media release see our Community Releases page. |
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In celebration of Canada Day, all lockage on Ontario's historic canals, including the Rideau, will be free all day on July 1st. This is a first-time event with the goal of attracting new boaters and visitors to these picturesque waterways.
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Grenville CFDC hosts AGM
The Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation (GCFDC) hosted its AGM on Friday, June 19, at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. Executive director Heather Lawless outlined the year's developments. She noted $1.2-million in loans has been provided to 22 local businesses during the past year with an impact of 86 jobs. Since 1990, GCFDC has provided $21.7-million to more than 500 businesses creating close to 3,000 new jobs. Learn more about their funding programs on their website.
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Valley Heartland showcases year
Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporation held its AGM on Wednesday, June 24, at the Excelerator at the Gallipeau Centre in Smiths Falls. The investment impact of Valley Heartland since it's launch in 1980 was outlined by Executive Director Susan Fournier. A total of 4,000 jobs have been created or maintained and 450 businesses have been created. The total of term loans over 35 years is more than $14-million. Learn more about their funding programs on their website.
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Launch Lab looks at Branding your Business
Learn more about what a brand can do for you at this Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation event.
Wednesday, July 8,
9-11 a.m.
Prescott Town Hall Community Room
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Trillium Foundation Information Session
Officials from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) will hold an information session to help local non-profit organizations.
Thursday, July 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Brockville Memorial Centre | |
LinkedIn for Business starts off fall seminars
This seminar delves into how you can use LinkedIn for business.
Thursday, September 10, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Small Business Centre
91 Cornelia Street West, Smiths Falls
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