Leeds Grenville
Economic Development eNews | January 19, 2016
Business Profile
Kemptville Suites offer real luxury and unique lofty spaces in a heritage building
KEMPTVILLE - The first and only boutique hotel in this North Grenville community - Kemptville Suites - is a harmonious blending of "past elegance and modern polish."
 
And if five-star TripAdvisor reviews are any indication, the Suites are hitting it out of the park with their growing number of customers. Each of the seven units in this historic 1847 building offers all the amenities, including stylish and functional kitchenettes, in a charming and comfy setting with exposed stone walls and lofty wooden beams.
 
"We're twice as busy as we anticipated," says owner Rob Thompson, adding within three months of their September 2014 opening the Suites in Kemptville' s downtown core already had steady traffic.
 
"By the following June (2015), occupancy was even better than expected and has been constantly outperforming our expectations," Rob says. Corporate business makes up about 35% of clientele, followed by weddings and special events, weekend getaways and extended stays.
 
Renovation of the building, which once housed the community's first newspaper office and more recently Rowland's Leather, took longer and cost twice as much as expected to finish, according to Rob. 
 
"The end product was worth all of the pain and suffering. If you build real luxury, people respond to it positively. We're selling home-away-from-home quality, and we hear that again and again in our TripAdvisor reviews."
 
He and his team follow the CANEI (Constant And Never-Ending Improvement) rule of thumb. Every suite, from the Jacuzzi units to the larger lofts, have heated bathroom floors, electric fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, robes, complimentary Internet, Wi-Fi, Netflix and cable, comfy sofas as well as coffee, tea and free snacks. Mattresses and bedding are of the highest quality.  
 
No formal check-in is required. You can book online or call and receive a personal access code for entry into the hotel and your suite. Prices range from $159 to $259 per night. Learn more about this unique new accommodation by visiting their website and their Facebook page. 

Top feature photo: Owner/Operator Rob Thompson is shown in the king loft. Unique designs and colours set the suites apart from traditional hotel rooms.
  



The Aphroditi Escape Spa and Salon is located on the main floor of the building at 103 Clothier Street East. Learn more about Aphroditi.

News
Brockville named one of 10 Canadian cities to visit this year

Online travel company Expedia.ca has recognized Brockville and Area as one of "10 Canadian Cities You Must Visit in 2016" in an online travelblog written by Lara Vukelich. "We think a visit to the 1000 Islands area is always a good idea" the blog states. The list also includes neighbouring Kingston, Quebec City, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Alma in New Brunswick, St. John's in Newfoundland and Labrador, Regina in Saskatchewan, Jasper in Alberta, and Nanaimo and Tofino in British Columbia. 
Funding Opportunities
Second intake for Rural Economic Development (RED) program April 15th

The next deadline for RED funding program applications is Friday, April 15, 2016. The program is designed to help support jobs and economic growth in rural Ontario. 

The two RED application processes are the Community Development Stream and the Business Development Stream. 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. The Community Development Stream applies to registered charities, not-for-profit corporations, municipalities, local services boards and First Nations communities. 

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 in 2015. For more information visit the Ontario government website or call 1-877-424-1300.
Workshops and Seminars
Understanding your Financial Statements and Pricing

Cost: $15 with light breakfast
January 25, 8-10 a.m.
91 Cornelia St. West, Smiths Falls

Presented by Launch Labs Entrepreneurs in Residence Scott Runte and Stephen Beamish and offered through Valley Heartland CFDC

Learn more or register for any of these sessions by visiting our Workshops and Seminars webpage
Accessibility Training: Customer Service

Cost: Free
January 28, 3:30-4:30 p.m. or March 3, 9:30 a.m. 
100 Strowger Boulevard
Brockville

Offered by the Employment and Education Centre (EEC). The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a provincial law. Unit 1 provides training in customer service and is limited to 10 participants. Call 613-498-2111 for more information.
Pricing Strategies

Cost: Free
March 23, 6-8:30 p.m.
Grenville Mutual Insurance
 Community Room, 
380 Colonnade Drive, Kemptville

Part of the North Grenville Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Alliance 
All About Marketing 2015-16 Series. This session looks at how to improve your business cash flow. Learn more by contacting the North Grenville Economic Development Department.
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