Leeds Grenville
Economic Development eNews | December 22, 2015
News
Kriska Transport's Mark Seymour awarded as industry leader, giant in trucking sector
PRESCOTT - Mark Seymour, president and CEO of Kriska Transport, is the recipient of the esteemed 2015 Ontario Trucking Association's (OTA) Shaw Tracking/Service to Industry Award.
 
"It's been 30 years of pure enjoyment and I try to give back as much as I can," Mark said in a telephone interview this week. He began working at Kriska in 1984 for the company his father, Ken Seymour, founded. He started as a driver and became president of the firm 10 years later.
 
The award was presented last month at the trucking association's convention in Toronto. OTA president David Bradley called Mark "one of the greatest leaders the industry has ever had. When Mark speaks, people listen. Mark is a giant of a man and a giant in our industry. He's a visionary."
 
Mark's wife Kathy, daughter Reagan and son Clark, as well as his mother Marilyn, were there to see Mark receive the recognition. "I was honoured and humbled all at the same time," Mark said. "It was a big event and so important that my family was there." The Association also put together a video in his honour. Visit the Association's website to view it.
 
Mark is a vocal advocate for responsible trucking and has been a driving force behind many progressive improvements within the industry. Under Mark's leadership, Kriska Transportation Group (KTG) Ltd. is one of Canada's Best Managed Companies holding the prestigious award's Platinum Club Member Status for the last 16 consecutive years. This year Kriska was selected as one of North America's "20 Best Fleets to Drive for" and was awarded Kraft Foods' 2014 Regional Carrier of the Year as well as Volvo's "Safest Fleet."
 
Mark has continued to build the company. When he took the reins in the 1990s there were 100 employees. Last year the number rose to 400. Today, after three main acquisitions, including the most recent Transpro Freight Systems Ltd. of Milton, Kriska employs 1,000 people at locations across Ontario and in Quebec. The company's head office is in Prescott, where Mark calls home. Learn more about Kriska on their website


Mark Seymour is chair of the Canadian Trucking Alliance. He has a solid record for innovation and safety. He was a key architect of OTA's speed limiter proposal and is a dedicated advocate of ELDs (Electronic Logging Devices). Mark is regularly asked to participate in panels dealing with shipper-carrier issues.


Entrepreneurs

The participants in the fourth intake include, from left, Angela Thompson-Trussell, of Angelene Catering and Cake Decor, Rylan Schwarze, of Rynestone Magic, Jesse McMahon, of Miss Jess Art Co. and Jim Stinson, of Somerset Woodworks.

New Entrepreneurs with Starter Company

Young entrepreneurs between the ages of 18-29 can access seed funding and business support with the Ontario Youth Job Strategy program Starter Company, offered through the Leeds and Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre. Starter Company provides mentoring, training and capital to start, grow or buy a small business. Support is offered over a six-month period, including coaching from local business leaders. The objective is to build strong local businesses. Participants are eligible to receive a grant of up to $5,000.

To learn more about these four newest young entrepreneurs visit our Community Releases webpage. To learn more about the program and other services call the Enterprise Centre at 613-342-8772, ext. 470 or 471, visit their Facebook page or our LGSBEC webpage.
Funding Opportunities
Rural Economic Development (RED) program funding deadline in January

The next deadline for applications to the RED program is Friday, January 15, 2016. The program helps support jobs and economic growth in rural Ontario. 

The two RED application processes are the Community Development Stream and the Business Development Stream. The Community Development Stream applies to registered charities, not-for-profit corporations, municipalities, local services boards and First Nations communities. When applying for Business Development, applicants must be a legal entity and have the authority to enter into a legal agreement, be in compliance with all applicable laws and demonstrate how the project will benefit rural Ontario. 

Eligible projects include plans or strategies, applied research and analysis to support planning and priority setting, business sector development and diversification, marketing, promotional or branding activities, workforce attraction, retention and development.

The program was renewed earlier this year. For more information visit the Ontario government website or call 1-877-424-1300.
Economic Development Summit
Summit presentations now online 
The 7th annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit presentations are now available on our website



Networking at the Summit in November, from left: Teanne Larocque, of the Employment and Education Centre (EEC), Pamela Robertson, of the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce, and Kim Barkley, of EEC.
Season's Greetings