Economic Development eNews | November 8, 2016

Business Profile

Feature photo: Kevin Crotty is surrounded by guitars in the shop his late parents started.

Richard and Lois Crotty, shown here in New York's Central Park, wanted to help people learn to play and enjoy music.

Pat Johnson, left, provides instruction to Cole Lidlow, who has been studying guitar at Mr. C's for four years.

Glen Crotty tunes a guitar in the shop's workroom.

Mr. C's Gift of Music celebrating 30 years

BROCKVILLE - Three decades ago this month, Richard and Lois Crotty opened a small music store at Kensington Plaza with a hope of developing a unique retail setting where lessons were offered along with musical instruments and supplies.

Today it is safe to say they succeeded and became legendary in the local music world. Thousands of music students have studied there and many a guitar and drum kit have been sold. Mr. C's Gift of Music lives on to celebrate this impressive 30-year milestone with aniversary sales, special discounts, draws and other surprises planned throughout November at their Kent Boulevard location.

"Mr. C's Gift of Music has been a cornerstone in the music scene of this area for so many years," says the late couple's son and store manager Kevin Crotty. "Everyone knows Mr. C's either from taking lessons or coming into the store so we're pretty proud of their legacy."

Pat Johnson, a popular local musician and accredited author, knew Mr. C's founders very well. "I came here to buy my first guitar. I still remember it like it was yesterday," he says. Pat credits Richard and Lois for encouraging him to follow his musical dreams. He later felt honoured when they asked if he would teach lessons at the store, something he continues to do to this day.

"I couldn't have done it without them and I always felt I belonged here," says Pat.

Richard was inducted into the Brockville and Area Music and Performing Arts Hall of Fame in 2008 in recognition of his work both as a popular music teacher and a talented musician. He co-founded the 30-Hour Palliative Care Telethon and produced the first seven events. He was involved in the Brockville Musicians' Association since 1969, serving as president five consecutive years in the 1980s and as secretary treasurer until his death in 2012.

"I considered him one of the top guitarists in this part of the country," says Al Torrance, who has worked in the store's service, repair and sales area for 25 years. "He was a great jazz guitarist who could play circles around everyone." He and Lois also played the lap steel guitar, he says, adding they were true life and business partners. Lois passed away earlier this year.

Learn more about Mr. C's and its anniversary celebrations by visiting their Facebook page and website. Call them at 613-342-7377, email them or follow them on Twitter.

Celebrating Business

Augusta Township Mayor Doug Malanka, centre, helped present the first-ever Trail Blazer Award to Andrew Cole, of Cole Solutions, at left, and Business of the Year winner Ryan Brophy, owner of V6 Agronomy Inc.

Fast-growing fertilizer company is Augusta's Business of the Year

MAITLAND - V6 Agronomy Inc. is this year's recipient of the Augusta Business of theYear Award. A new tribute called the Trail Blazer Award was earned by Cole Solutions.

Ryan Brophy, V6 Agronomy founder and a certified agronomist, was honoured at the annual award event on November 4th at the MERC Hall. The company has grown significantly since opening in 2012, including increasing dry storage capacity and wholesale supply, constructing a new entry capable of accommodating larger trucks as well as increased traffic. Sales are expected to increase by 50% in 2017. Ryan and his company have also been nominated for the 2016 Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence.

Andrew Cole launched his own promotional apparel, design, print, promotional web development and digital marketing company in 2013 and the company continues to grow. Also nominated for this award for young entrepreneurs receiving honourable mention was Josh Lamb of Sterling Grace Technologies, a company providing IT and custom software solutions to small and medium sized businesses.

Awards were presented in recognition of Augusta Township businesses that have shown community involvement and innovation. The event was hosted by Augusta's Council and its Economic Development & Tourism Committee.

Economic Development Summit

Giant Tiger Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer Paul Wood is shown with the company's mascot at the groundbreaking ceremony in Johnstown in early April. He is a keynote speaker at the "Growth and Rejuvenation" themed summit.

Giant Tiger's state-of-the-art warehouse, Skywood Adventure hot topics at summit

KEMPTVILLE - Here is your chance to learn more about the 600,000-square-foot Giant Tiger Distribution Centre being built in Johnstown.

Among the keynote speakers at the upcoming 8th annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit are Giant Tiger's Paul Wood, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, and Mike Quinn, VP of Warehousing and Distribution.

As momentum builds, Paul and Mike will tell us more about this largest build project in the history of the company, the Giant Tiger story and future plans for growth.

Learn more about the Summit agenda and Register now. The deadline to register is Friday, November 11th.

WHEN: Friday, November 18th, Schedule 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: North Grenville Municipal Centre
COST: $25 (including HST)

Workforce Survey

Business Assistance Requested

Help us understand the workforce issues and challenges businesses in Leeds Grenville are facing. We need your support to bring local primary data together so we can address gaps and develop solutions to build a stronger workforce.

The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office, in partnership with the 1000 Islands Region Workforce Development Board, is inviting employers to participate in the EmployerOne survey.

The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete, and it does not have to be completed in one session. You are able to save the survey and come back to it later.

We appreciate your assistance in forwarding it to the correct person and/or department.

To begin, please go to EmployerOne Survey.

Employers who have completed the survey by November 30^th will be entered into a draw for a $100 gift certificate of your choice for goods or services from a business in Leeds Grenville.

Regional Marketing

Be noticed in Ontario Guide of Festivals & Events

It's time to submit your listings for the Festivals & Events in Ontario Guide 2017-2018. It's FREE.

Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) is producing the one-of-a-kind consumer publication in partnership with the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC). The digest-sized, easy to carry full-colour publication will include events taking place between April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018.

Deadline to submit: December 2, 2016.

Distribution of 250,000 copies is in early March 2017 with web editions available on the FEO and Ontario Travel websites. For a listing to be considered in the Guide, it must be submitted to BOTH the FEO and Ontario Travel websites. Step-by-step instructions are available.

Workshops and Seminars

North Grenville puts spotlight

on rural life and issues

KEMPTVILLE - An inaugural summit on rural issues is being held in response to North Grenville's Community Strategic Plan's directive to work together to support the municipality's rural area.

WHEN: Saturday, November 26,
8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Kemptville College, Parish Hall
COST: Free

There will be a familiarization tour to take participants to a variety of rural locations representing the diverse landscape.
To view a full agenda and to register visit our Workshops and Seminars webpage.

BR+E Alliance Business Planning session

on developing a business plan

KEMPTVILLE - A complimentary Business Planning Seminar will feature keynote speaker Cathy Sheppard, owner of Sheppard and Associates.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 16, 6-8 p.m.

WHERE: Grenville Mutual Insurance Community Room, 380 Colonnade Drive

COST: Free

Cathy will discuss developing a business plan, including start-up, growth and transition.

To learn more and to register visit our Workshops and Seminars webpage.

Agricultural Summit being held in Leeds and the Thousand Islands

LANSDOWNE - The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands is hosting a summit with the theme "Developing Profitable Agriculture." It will feature presentations by the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance.

WHEN: Friday, December 9th, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
WHERE: Lansdowne Community Hall
COST: Free

The summit is being sponsored by the Economic Development Committee. Go to our Workshops and Seminars webpage to learn more and to register.