Leeds Grenville
Economic Development eNews | July 14, 2015
News


Top feature photo: From left, ONroute Tourism Representatives Supervisor Ryan Hopkins with team members Elizabeth Murray, Lauren Pringle and Sean Perrin.

In the photo above, Elizabeth Murray is shown at the north ONroute Centre kiosk.
Counties staff at ONroute Centres providing local tourism information to region's visitors and residents
We're back! Friendly local faces are once again ready to provide visitors and residents alike with local tourism and festival event information at the Highway 401 ONroute Centre kiosks at both the south and north sides at Mallorytown.

The goal is to provide visitor services and increase visitor revenues by drawing additional traffic off the highway and into our communities. Staffing throughout the summer is coordinated by the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office.

Local event and attraction coordinators are being encouraged to contact our office if they have promotional materials to display at the kiosks. Brochures are required to be dropped off at the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office at 32 Wall Street, Suite 300, in Brockville. 

Please call 613-342-3840, ext. 5362, for more information or contact Administrator Joanne Poll.

Thousand Islands National Park receives $7.7-million 
to improve accessibility to islands and attract new visitors

Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister responsbile for Parks Canada, has announced the Canadian Government is investing millions in the Thousand Islands National Park at Mallorytown to recapitalize visitor facilities, improve island access and attract and keep visitors to this region for longer stays.

"Thousand Islands National Park has the potential to be a cornerstone location that pulls tens of thousands of visitors off (Highway) 401 where they will discover the many reasons to come and stay in the Thousand Islands," Mr. Brown said.

One of the main goals will be to develop improved access to the park's 20 serviced islands to residents and tourists alike who don't own boats. Katherine Patterson, Parks Canada Field Unit Supervisor for Georgian Bay and Eastern Ontario, said aged infrastructure will be replaced and there will be a rethinking of products and promotions to get in tune with today's markets. This is the largest federal infrastructure plan for the Thousand Islands in the 104-year history of Parks Canada. The funding will be phased over four years. Learn more on our Community Media Releases page.

In the above photo from left to right: Township of Front of Yonge Mayor Roger Haley, Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Joe Baptista, Thousand Islands National Park Superintendent Jeff Leggo, Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown, Parks Canada Field Unit Supervisor Katherine Patterson and Brockville Mayor Dave Henderson are shown at the Glen House Resort overlooking the 1000 Islands where the funding announcement was made on July 6.
South Grenville municipalities, Chamber join forces with the United Counties
to spread the word on tourism and events
The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office is partnering with the municipalities of Augusta, Edwardsburgh Cardinal and Prescott as well as the South Grenville Chamber of Commerce to provide tourism visitor services support for the remaining prime tourism season.

The agreement includes distribution of the South Grenville Visitor Guide (photo bottom right) and posters, weekly event promotional materials and updating the website. 

The South Grenville Chamber of Commerce has connected with tourism businesses to notify them of the Counties involvement. Former South Grenville Tourism Coordinator Angela Thompson, Counties ONroute Tourism Respresentatives Supervisor Ryan Hopkins and Economic Development Administrator Joanne Poll will all play a role to ensure South Grenville tourism activities and businesses are highlighted. Business and event updates can be submitted directly to:
southgrenvilletourism@gmail.com  

Learn more about this on our Counties Media Releases page.


From left: South Grenville Chamber of Commerce President and Vice-president Larry Dishaw and Daniel Roddick, Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal Mayor Pat Sayeau, Township of Augusta Mayor Doug Malanka and Leeds Grenville Economic Development Manager Ann Weir. Absent is Town of Prescott Mayor Brett Todd.


The Royal Rideau Chair was designed by Leeds Grenville business owner Francois Bruneau. Mr. Bruneau's company is known worldwide as a top maker of heirloom Adirondack chairs from sustainably-harvested Western red cedar. Now he has created a signature chair for the Rideau Canal Heritage Route.
Introducing the Royal Rideau Chair
The Royal Rideau Chair is making its debut! The idea to create a chair unique to the region stems from the Visitor Experience Opportunities Concept (VEOC) consultation process held in 2013. Participants and stakeholderes, as well Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown, explored various ways to enhance the Rideau Heritage Route visitor experience. One innovative way, the report concluded, was to design chairs which would then be placed in special locations.

Next came the design. Forbes Symon, the Municipality of North Grenville's Director of Planning and Development, researched what types of chairs had been used along the Rideau in the 19th Century. 

"What I was looking for was any unique design themes between these chairs," Mr. Symon said. He then took notes and photos to Francois Bruneau, President of DFC Woodworks Inc. of Kemptville. Mr. Bruneau combined themes toward the final design. The Royal Rideau Chair was born and this "Made in North Grenville" beauty is now being manufactured locally.

For more information or to purchase a Royal Rideau Chair contact the Municipality of North Grenville at 613-258-9569 or visit our Community Media Releases page. Two chairs are currently on display at the North Grenville Municipal Centre.
Workshops and Seminars
Tourism Strategies: web, mobile and social media

Presented by Metroland Media featuring Booking.com, Charming Robot and Kina' ole. Tickets are $50 or $25 for LCTA members Learn more on our Workshops and Seminars page.

Friday, July 24
Gallipeau Centre, 
361 Queen Street, Smiths Falls
Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference this November

The fifth annual conference is being held in Belleville with the theme Creativity+Collaboration=Action
The event is being hosted by the Cities of Quinte West and Belleville in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Watch for details.

November 4-5
Travelodge
Belleville
LinkedIn for Business starts off new fall seminars

This seminar delves into how you can use LindedIn for business and development.

Learn more on our Workshops and Seminars page.

Thursday, September 10
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Small Business Centre
91 Cornelia Street West
Smiths Falls
Economic Development Office
32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON Canada, K6V 4R9
TF. 1.800.770.2170  T. 613.342.3840  F. 613.342.3298
Leeds Grenville