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Today, Haldimand County is pleased to announce that Caledonia, Cayuga, Dunnville, Hagersville, Jarvis and Selkirk will be participating in the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program to help revitalize our main streets, providing a total of $115,000 in non-repayable contributions to support local businesses.
EDCO is delivering the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program stream, which supports the revitalization of 65 main street communities, and provides non-repayable contributions for more than 650 local businesses across southern Ontario. The program focuses on creating and maintaining vibrant and inclusive local downtowns while providing residents, new entrepreneurs, and existing businesses with economic opportunities in our communities.
Six communities in Haldimand County will be supported with two dedicated Main Street Ambassadors, customized market research, data analysis and non-repayable funding contributions for new and existing small businesses.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada recognizes the challenges that main street businesses face due to the pandemic. To help small businesses recover and ensure that our local main streets remain vibrant, our government built the My Main Street program to offer critical funding and services for local businesses as they find ways to adapt and rebuild. We will continue to be there to support our local small businesses and the communities in which they operate, create jobs and drive resilient economic growth.”
The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Small business is the backbone of our economy and the keystone of our economic recovery. Haldimand County is grateful to receive funding that will support our main streets, businesses and entrepreneurs who have experienced some of the most challenging times we’ve seen in recent history.”
His Worship Ken Hewitt, Mayor of Haldimand County
About FedDev Ontario For more than 12 years, FedDev Ontario has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation and growth in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving their productivity, growing their revenues, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects.
The fund-raising committee for the Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre took a big leap towards reaching its goal with the recent $700,000 contribution from the Hagersville Chamber of Commerce following its sale of the Hagersville Community Centre.
“We are so pleased to be able to make this contribution towards the Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre project,” says Chamber President Rob Phillips. “The new building will be a beautiful, fully accessible and functional community space that will enhance the quality of life of our residents of all ages and abilities.”
“The Community Centre has served as a gathering place for our community for more than one hundred years, and it has served many service clubs and user groups well, but the times have changed and we need a building now that is more accessible and is able to accommodate many different types of programming, events and activities,” adds Phillips.
The Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre will be located in Grant Kett Park, adjacent to the town’s Arena, ball diamonds and outdoor amphitheatre.
Plans for the new, multi-purpose facility were introduced in early 2021 during capital budget deliberations and approved by Council for construction in 2024. As part of the project and preliminary public engagement, the community will have to raise approximately $2 million towards the co-located facility.
“Haldimand County is incredibly grateful to the Chamber of Commerce for its stewardship and financial management of the Community Centre for the past twenty years,” adds Ward 4 Councillor and Chair of the community fund-raising committee, Tony Dalimonte. “This has been a tremendous amount of work and responsibility for the Chamber, in particular volunteers John & Janice Luttjehuizen and Charlie & BJ Garvie, who managed the operations, maintenance and booking of the facility throughout that time.”
Pictured from left to right: Paul Diette (CEO, Haldimand County Public Library), Doug Miller (Community Fund-Raising Committee Member), Tony Dalimonte (Ward 4 Councillor and Chair of Community Fund-Raising Committee), Rob Phillips (President of Hagersville Chamber of Commerce), Ed McCarthy (Director of Hagersville Chamber of Commerce)
A new program aimed at sparking and supporting innovative tourism ideas for Haldimand & Norfolk was officially announced today. The “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program will match selected applicants from the region with a mentor and provide a $3,000 seed grant to help take their new tourism idea to the next level.
The “Spark” Program was first piloted in Windsor-Essex in 2018 by the Tourism Innovation Lab, and has now been delivered in over 16 regions across the province and British Columbia. Its goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits.
While there are no specific categories, program organizers are especially interested in new tourism ideas that connect with agritourism, cycling, waterfront, and the winter season.
Applications are encouraged from individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations based in Haldimand & Norfolk from November 23rd to January 14th, 2022. Following a juried review process, five finalists from Haldimand County and five finalists from Norfolk County will be invited to virtual Pitch Sessions where three winners will be selected from each.
The Haldimand & Norfolk “Spark” Program is being led by the Tourism Innovation Lab in collaboration and with support from Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation, Haldimand County, Norfolk County, Libro Credit Union, Grand Erie Business Centre and Venture Norfolk.
Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation “Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation is excited to be partnering on the expansion of “Spark” Program into Haldimand and Norfolk counties. We’ve seen some amazing ideas translate into new tourism experiences for travellers across Ontario’s Southwest, and we’re eager to see what new ideas emerge from Haldimand and Norfolk!” said Joanne Wolnik, Executive Director of the Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation.
Haldimand County “Our goal is to inspire Haldimand & Norfolk County residents and entrepreneurs to come forward with creative ideas that will generate new innovative tourism opportunities, experiences and partnerships in our communities. We are excited to be working together along with our project partners to capture these great ideas, and define the actions needed to put these ideas to work. Now more than ever, the tourism industry needs innovation and the “Spark” Program is a great opportunity to launch these tourism offerings and assist entrepreneurs in getting them to the next level” said Lidy Romanuk, Manager, Economic Development & Tourism, Haldimand County.
Norfolk County “Norfolk County is thrilled to be partnering with Haldimand County on this exciting Spark program, which will provide an opportunity for our many creative entrepreneurs to bring innovative tourism product ideas to market. With the importance of tourism and entrepreneurship to our economy, we are delighted to be part of a project that both supports the creation and growth of small businesses, while simultaneously adding exciting new product offerings for our residents and visitors to enjoy when experiencing all that Norfolk County has to offer. We are grateful to the Tourism Innovation Lab and wonderful sponsors (SWOTC, Libro Credit Union, Venture Norfolk, Grand Erie Business Centre) for helping to make this project a reality” said Zvi Lifshiz, Director, Strategic Innovation and Economic Development, Norfolk County.
Libro Credit Union “At Libro Credit Union, we know that working together always makes people stronger, so we find partnerships like this so rewarding. The Spark program and everyone involved in it is a great example of partnership with people who share our values. At Libro, our financial coaches work with Owners – we call our customers Owners because they own part of the company – to set goals and work towards them, and there’s nothing we like more than an exciting idea like this!” said Scott Macleod, Regional Manager Haldimand & Norfolk, Libro Credit Union.
Grand Erie Business Centre “The “Spark” Program has a history of success in helping to develop and foster new tourism businesses and entrepreneurs. We are happy to support this program and partner with everyone involved to encourage new tourism experiences to be developed and offered in our communities.” said Tauri Caputo, General Manager, Grand Erie Business Centre.
Tourism Innovation Lab “We are very excited to be launching the “Spark” Program in Haldimand & Norfolk,” said Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab. “As we have seen through previous rounds in southwest Ontario, innovative tourism ideas brought forward by entrepreneurs, small businesses and organizations will inspire and elevate the tourism offerings and experiences in the region.”
For the second year, Haldimand County’s Economic Development and Tourism division has released the Haldimand Holiday Wish Book to encourage residents to shop & support local.
Featuring over 30 local businesses, the Holiday Wish Book is a one stop guide for local gift ideas, hand-made products and unique experiences.
Copies are being distributed to all households in by mail and will also be available for pickup at local libraries. An online, downloadable version of the Holiday Wish Book is also available at tourismhaldimand.ca/wish-book.
“We received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community and local businesses when we launched the 2020 Wish Book and made it a priority to bring it back for 2021,” said Lidy Romanuk, Haldimand’s Manager of Economic Development & Tourism.
“Haldimand County has so many unique shops and experiences. We encourage residents and visitors to explore all our community has to offer and to continue supporting local,” added Romanuk.
The Holiday Wish Book also has an online directory featuring even more local businesses. Anyone can browse vendor listings and shop local from the comfort of home via the Haldimand County Marketplace.
Haldimand County’s Economic Development and Tourism division has won a provincial tourism award for initiatives completed in 2020 to support local businesses.
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), in partnership with Attractions Ontario, The Culinary Tourism Alliance, Indigenous Tourism Ontario and OTEC presented the Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards at an in-person and virtual awards gala on October 27.
Haldimand was presented with the Innovation Award in the Destination Marketing Organization category.
The award encompassed the Real. Local. strategy that was implemented to support local businesses and better position Haldimand’s tourism offerings.
Marketing projects included in the award were:
Development of ‘Real. Local.’ branded graphic
The ‘Real. Local.’ graphic is available to local business to incorporate in their marketing efforts. Since the launch, several businesses have incorporated it in print and social media advertising, as well as on packaging.
Advertising for these 3 campaigns saw a total reach of 5,200 in print, a reach of over 200,000 in social media and 6,295 clicks to learn more about the 75 business which were included in the promotions.
2020 Haldimand Holiday Wish Book
The Holiday Wish Book campaign included 58 businesses. All businesses were featured in the online directory hosted on the Haldimand County website and 33 businesses were featured in the printed booklet. 22,498 booklets were mailed to every household in Haldimand. The social media campaign, which featured all participating businesses, reached 67,687 individuals and saw 2,615 clicks from people interested in learning more about local businesses.
Real. Haldimand. Marketplace
The Marketplace launched in late December 2020 with 24 vendors and has now grown to 43 local businesses selling products on the online e-commerce site. An extensive social media campaign saw over 3,000 clicks to view listings on the Marketplace. A local business indicated that their business traffic doubled when they were included in the Marketplace and corresponding promotional marketing campaigns.
Increased Digital Presence
A new Tourism Website and Tourism Instagram page were launched at the end of 2020 to generate further interest in Haldimand’s diverse offerings, along with an extensive social media campaign to support local businesses.
Haldimand’s Business Development and Planning Advisory Committee (BDAPAC) was instrumental in COVID-19 business recovery planning, along with staff, in the early days of the pandemic.
In June 2020, EDT received funding from Fed Dev Ontario to support tourism marketing initiatives and support the tourism sector locally.
Through the recommendation of BDAPAC, a Marketing Advisory Committee was formed and consulted, giving direction on how the funding would be used, to maximize opportunities to support and promote local businesses. Council was kept informed of the work of BDAPAC and of these marketing initiatives and have been very supportive of these efforts.
Haldimand County is honoured to be recognized for this award and appreciate the support of Council, BDAPAC and the Marketing Advisory Committee in helping achieve this success.
For more information on supports available for local business, visit BusinessHaldimand.ca.
Haldimand County, in partnership with Grand Erie Business Centre, is pleased to announce the receipt of an additional $57,000 grant from Digital Main Street’s Ontario Grants Program.
The grant provides funding to hire a Digital Service Squad (DSS), who will help local small businesses adopt online technologies and digitally transform their sales, marketing and back-office operations.
A Digital Service Squad was brought on from September 2020 to June 2021 and was instrumental in helping local business owners increase their online presence and apply for the Digital Transformation Grant. With support from the DSS, 82 businesses received the Digital Transformation Grant, totaling $205,000.
Renewed funding of $12.37 million for the Digital Main Street’s Ontario Grants Program (OGP) from Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT) and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) includes $3 million for the Digital Service Squad program and $7.5 million to provide 3,000 Digital Transformation Grants to qualified brick-and-mortar small businesses. The OGP is administrated by the Ontario BIA Association (OBIA), in partnership with the Toronto Association of BIAs (TABIA).
The new squad members will begin to visit businesses in September 2021. Interested businesses can contact Haldimand County by emailing: opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca.
QUOTES: “Ontario small businesses are the heart of our neighbourhoods and the economic foundation of our communities. Our government is committed to being there for them as they reopen. This additional support will give these businesses the digital boost they need to raise their profile and rebuild better than ever.” – Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction.
“In the past 17 months, as small businesses across the province fought to stay open and keep customers engaged online, Digital Service Squads were there to help. Squads jumped online themselves during lockdowns to help virtually, and businesses have consistently told us how important the DSS were to their success through the pandemic. We are thrilled to support the Haldimand County DSS and help them provide assistance to more small businesses than ever.” – Kay Matthews, Executive Director of OBIA.
“Having to evolve and utilize all of the online tools have been wonderful, as has the assistance of the Digital Transformation Grant and the support from the Digital Service Squad… I think you get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and it’s just one more thing you have to add to your list so [the grant & DSS] gave us the push we needed to go ahead and get it done properly.” – Tricia Nolan, Luxe & Company, Jarvis, ON
“Local businesses are important to the fabric of our communities. COVID-19 has caused significant challenges and hardships for many small businesses. Haldimand County and Grand Erie Business Centre are thankful for this grant that will allow us to continue to assist our businesses in increasing their online digital presence.” – Lidy Romanuk, Manager, Economic Development and Tourism (Haldimand County)
ABOUT Haldimand County
Haldimand County is a single-tier municipality established in 2001. Located within Ontario’s most populous region the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Haldimand County gives you the time and the space to connect in ways you can’t anywhere else. Effortlessly blending natural landscapes, farms and small-town charm with emerging suburban development and nearby cities, Haldimand is community of communities. At close to 1,300 square kilometers the space that separates us is also what we share; room to grow and the support that turns potential into something more. Haldimand has a population of approximately 46,000 residents (2016 census). The County is home to several charming small towns and hamlets, each with unique attractions, quaint shops, and fascinating cultural and historic sites. The Grand River’s history, cultural value and uniqueness are recognized with its designation as a Canadian Heritage River and Lake Erie’s beautiful shoreline provide both a laid-back lifestyle and perfect environment for water activities of all types. With our extensive history in farming, agriculture along with manufacturing and tourism remain our top three sectors.
ABOUT Grand Erie Business Centre
Grand Erie Business Centre (GEBC) is a private non-profit business development corporation that has been serving Haldimand County and the Township of West Lincoln since 1989. We provide financing, consultation, support and advice to small businesses within this area.
GEBC is one of 269 Community Futures Development Corporations across the country. Community Futures is a not-for-profit corporation with a volunteer Board of Directors. Grand Erie Business Centre currently receives 100% of our operational funding from FedDev Ontario (the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario).
Our mandate is to partner with local businesses and organizations in Haldimand County and the Township of West Lincoln to facilitate community economic growth. We measure our success by the number of jobs that are created and maintained through the businesses and projects that we support. GEBC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of successful businesspeople and professionals from throughout Haldimand County and the Township of West Lincoln.
ABOUT Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA)
OBIAA is the network that represents unique and vibrant BIAs across Ontario. The Association supports and advocates on behalf of its members through the building and nurturing of strong relationships and partnerships. OBIAA is a leader in the development and sharing of information, tools, resources and best practices, and is the ONE voice on common issues.
ABOUT Digital Main Street
Digital Main Street is a program that helps main street businesses achieve digital transformation. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured training programs, and our Digital Service Squad, a team of street-level team members who help main street businesses grow and manage their operations through technology.
Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association on Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto. DMS is also supported by a group of strategic business partners, including Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Microsoft, Facebook, Intuit QuickBooks, Square, and Yellow Pages. Ongoing investment from the Government of Ontario and FedDev Ontario has expanded the Digital Main Street Platform in order to support more businesses to go digital as a response to the impacts of COVID-19. www.digitalmainstreet.ca
With restrictions being lifted, and the summer season well underway, Haldimand County is pleased to highlight all the amazing outdoor dining options available throughout the County via an upcoming social media campaign.
The campaign, taking place over the next several weeks, will promote the various outdoor dining options, and can be found at tourismhaldimand.ca. This new landing page features an interactive map and highlights all the participating locations.
“The hospitality sector including restaurants have struggled throughout the pandemic . With the recent announcement of the Province moving into stage two, we believe that it is now more important than ever to remind local residents that all of their favorite dining experiences are opening up again” said Lidy Romanuk, Manager of Economic Development and Tourism.
With over 30 patios, food trucks, and outdoor windows, serving ice cream made locally, Lake Erie perch, and everything in between, there is always a new experience around the corner.
To browse the featured outdoor dining listings and explore the interactive map, visit tourismhaldimand.ca. Stay updated with new additions on our Tourism Instagram and Facebook. For additional information, or if you want to add your business to the local directory, contact opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca or 905-318-5932 ext. 6331.
When you are out enjoying these public spaces, please comply with current public health orders and maintain physical distancing at all times.
On May 13, 2021, Standard & Poor’s completed its annual update and review of Haldimand County’s financial credit rating. Based on their review and despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the County’s fiscal position, Standard and Poor’s has affirmed the County’s “AA Stable” credit rating.
Over the past years, the County’s credit rating has gone from a “low” of “A Negative” to the current “AA Stable” rating. This is very positive news and a testament to the sound financial policies and principles adopted by Council and managed by staff.
Several factors impact the credit rating of a municipal government. Standard and Poor’s Rating Service evaluates approximately 35 Canadian municipalities, 1 Territory and 9 Provinces, in addition to many international entities. Municipal ratings are based on six main categories: institutional framework; economy; financial management; budgetary performance; liquidity; and debt burden.
“Haldimand County’s financial health is an accomplishment that Council is proud of. Prudent fiscal management and investment decisions have a significant impact on the County’s ability to invest in community infrastructure and deliver quality services,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt.
“Today, Haldimand County is in an excellent financial position to provide quality public services while making strategic investments in infrastructure to not only maintain, but also enhance the quality of life for residents,” he added.
On March 31, 2021, Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2021 Tax Supported Operating Budget. The budget results in a total levy requirement of $72,553,300, which equates to a residential tax impact of about 1.96%, or about $5.35 per month for an average residential property owner with an assessed value of approximately $279,000.
Generally, the annual Tax Supported Operating Budget pays for day to day operations of the County, including salaries, wages, utilities, insurance and services such as running arenas/programming, maintaining locals parks and cemeteries, providing emergency services (fire, police and ambulance), the collection of garbage and related activities.
“The 2021 Tax-Supported Operating Budget represents a financially sustainable, responsive plan that ensures the continued delivery of essential services our communities value,” said Haldimand County Chief Administrative Officer Craig Manley. “Despite significant financial challenges related to COVID-19 and other unforeseen circumstances, staff have developed an operating budget that comes in below Council’s targeted tax rate increase of 2% or less,” Manley added.
Manley noted that Provincial funding received to date combined with significant cost-containment measures undertaken in 2020 (e.g. limiting hiring and effectuating mandatory leaves for some staff during Provincial lockdowns) have helped alleviate the tax burden.
The 2021 Tax-Supported Operating Budget highlights several investments in municipal service delivery, including:
organizational and staffing initiatives to enhance customer service and communications
proceeding with internal, technology-focused projects that will improve access to public-facing services, increase efficiencies and strengthen cybersecurity
hiring additional building & by-law staff to facilitate enforcement and ensure the continuation of timely permit approvals
hiring additional staff to address growth-related needs associated with winter control and environmental operations
providing temporary project management resources to expedite major Corporate priority initiatives (e.g. Broadband Internet Project, Caledonia Fire Hall, Norfolk County/Six Nations water supply initiative).
“This was an extremely difficult budget to develop under ever-changing pressures and circumstances. Staff have worked hard to bring forward a reasonable, fiscally responsible budget that addresses community needs and upholds the levels of service our residents have come to expect,” noted Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt.
On average, a residential property owner can expect their annual property taxes to be allocated as follows:
Haldimand County’s Economic Development and Tourism division is excited to announce the launch of its Real. Local. Small Business Marketing Toolkit. Available for free at BusinessHaldimand.ca, the kits include Real. Local. branded assets that businesses can use in their marketing efforts.
This announcement follows the recent launch of the Tourism Haldimand website and Real Haldimand Marketplace, both found at TourismHaldimand.ca, which provide cost free supports to assist tourism businesses in Haldimand to market to their key audiences.
Utilizing the kits, businesses can add a Real. Local. decal in their storefronts, add branded stickers to products made in Haldimand and customize signage or flyers to highlight local products and services.
The free marketing toolkits include: Proud to Be a Local Business posters, customizable local product poster templates, social media profile and post templates, “Proud Local” window decals, “Real. Local.” branded stickers and the “Real. Local.” graphic element for business use.
Haldimand County continues to support businesses through the Real. Local. campaign as seen in the Real Taste of Haldimand restaurant feature in February and Holiday Wish Book in December 2020 – both aimed at increasing awareness of the retail, restaurants and services that can only be found in Haldimand County. The toolkit furthers the impact of these efforts and will allow businesses to proudly share what local means to them.
The creation of the marketing toolkit was funded through the support of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
“We want our businesses to feel connected to other entrepreneurs in the County, and elevate their messages using coordinated tools as a way to share their stories, products and what makes them truly local and unique to Haldimand,” said Lidy Romanuk, manager of the Economic Development and Tourism division. She added, “This toolkit is a great addition for businesses experienced in marketing, but is also an easy first step for businesses who are trying to establish their brand but aren’t sure where to get started.”
The digital elements of the Marketing Toolkit are now available for download at HaldimandCounty.ca/business-toolkit/. Physical elements including stickers, posters and window decals are available via online request form. Instructions and recommendations as to how businesses can best use the assets are also available.
Business owners are encouraged to contact Economic Development and Tourism Division staff for further suggestions on how to implement the toolkit by contacting 905-318-5932 ext. 6331 or opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca.
