BusinessonnectionsIssue 3Volume 5June 2014

o rangev i l l ebu s i ne s s . ca

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Connect wi th Bus iness . Connect wi th L i fe .

Visitor services staff provide a wealth of information and suggestionsto Orangeville visitors. From left are staff Sharon Woodbury,

Susan Reynolds and Marsha Grant.

Company Profile

Orangeville VisitorInformation Centre

Opened in January 2013, the Orangeville Visitor InformationCentre provides comprehensive travel and tourism-related information about the local community as part of the Town ofOrangeville’s ongoing effort to create a positive experience forOrangeville and area tourists. The Centre’s visitor services staff offer a warm, friendly and helpful welcome to visitors, providing them with all the information,resources and assistance required to ensure a great experiencein Orangeville and to encourage repeat visits. From fielding general inquiries and making suggestions for local adventures tobuilding customized itineraries for guests or jumping on board aguided tour of the Town’s many tree sculptures, the staff at theVisitor Centre make sure guests to Orangeville feel welcomed andthat they leave wanting to come back.The Centre was developed at the Town’s main Highway 10entrance in recognition of the growing impact that tourism has onthe local economy and in an effort to further establish Orangevilleas a tourism destination. In addition to providing assistance to visitors to the community, staff at the Centre actively completeoutreach to tour companies and groups in an effort to promotethe local area and encourage visitation. Response to the Centrehas been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating the importanceof providing personalized interaction and outstanding customerservice. According to Mayor Rob Adams, the Centre is an invest-ment in the Town’s future. “The quality services provided by theVisitor Information Centre support increased and extended visitsto the community and this in turn, supports our local businessesand contributes to job creation.”The Orangeville Visitor Information Centre operates seven daysper week from 200 Lakeview Court in Orangeville and walk-ininquiries are welcomed. To find out how the Centre can help you,call 1-855-415-8687; email tourism@orangeville.ca or visitwww.orangevilletourism.ca.

Orangeville’s Cultural Advantage- Municipal Cultural PlanThe Town of Orangeville recently launched its first-everMunicipal Cultural Plan which will shape the future of artsand culture in Orangeville over the next several years.“This Plan is a guide that shows how our culturalstrengths can be leveraged to build our community andcontribute to Orangeville’s economic prosperity,” saysMayor Rob Adams. “A strong cultural foundation attractsbusiness, tourists and residents to the town and I lookforward to working with all of our residents and businessesto ensure that Orangeville reaches its greatest potentialas a culturally and economically vibrant community.”A project of the Town’s Arts & Culture Committee, theCultural Plan was developed from extensive communityengagement, research and analysis and it outlines alarge number of recommendations and priority actions toenhance the Town’s arts, culture and heritage sectors.With recommendations made across four strategicthemes, the Plan will be used to strengthen Orangeville’s cultural potential and can be foundonline at http://orangevillebusiness.ca/cultural-plan. “Our heritage, arts and culture activities are the biggest reasons why tourists visit Orangeville,and while here, spend money in our shops and restaurants,” says Councillor Mary Rose, Chairof the Arts & Culture Committee. “Orangeville’s Cultural Advantage shows how the arts add jobsand economic value to our community and also enhance our quality of life.” Also part of the project was the development and launch of an interactive cultural map, whichidentifies and locates various cultural assets within Orangeville and helps to entice visitors tothe community. The map is accessible to residents and visitors alike, is mobile friendly and provides a wealth of information about the Town’s festivals and events, cultural businesses,artists and organizations, cultural spaces and facilities, and natural and cultural heritage.According to Mayor Adams, “The interactive map helps to promote the great things happeningin Orangeville that create additional cultural and tourism revenue opportunities for our businesses.”Residents, business owners and community members are invited to visit Orangeville’s CulturalMap to discover the Town’s rich and diverse culture and to identify additional cultural resourceswithin the community.Orangeville’s cultural plan and mapping project was funded in partnership through the Provinceof Ontario’s Creative Communities Prosperity Fund and was developed by Culture Capital in partnership with Nordicity and GeoPraxis.

Recognizing the positive impact thattourism has on our local community,Councillor Sylvia Bradley proclaimed theweek of June 16 - 20 as Tourism Week inOrangeville. Councillor Bradley (centre) isjoined at the Orangeville Train Station byOrangeville’s Economic DevelopmentManager Ruth Phillips and Director ofEconomic Development, Planning andInnovation Nancy Tuckett.

June 16 - 20 is Tourism Week in Orangeville

o rangev i l l ebu s i ne s s . ca 87 Broadway, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 1K1 Phone: 519-941-0440 Toll Free: 1-866-941-0440E-mail: info@orangevillebusiness.ca Twitter: @OrangevilleED You Tube: Orangeville BusinessFacebook: Orangeville Economic Development & Tourism

Starter Company Launched - Money and Mentoring for You!The Orangeville & Area SmallBusiness Enterprise Centre (SBEC)is excited to announce a new program designed to increaseentrepreneurship among youth andenable them to become job creators instead of job seekers. Aspart of a new Provincial Youth JobsStrategy, the Starter CompanyProgram was approved byOrangeville Council in late Februaryand is now available to supportyoung entrepreneurs to pursuetheir goals of self-employment.Starter Company will provide entrepreneurial youth with the support needed to helpthem launch or expand their own full-time businesses. To be eligible for the program, young entrepreneurs must:• Be 18 – 29 years of age and not a student returning to school;• Create a new company, expand an existing company or be buying a business

from a retiring; entrepreneur;• Be a resident of Ontario;• Be prepared to commit a minimum average of 35 hours per week to running a

business and to develop a realistic business plan;• Participate in meetings, training and mentorship. Candidates for Starter Company will submit an application package and attend an interview to assess suitability and determine individual training needs. Once accepted, participants will receive:• Where applicable, a micro-grant of up to $5,000 to kick off a new business or

expand an existing one.• Training and business plan development support to help youth prepare to run or

expand their own businesses;• Advice and mentorship from local business leaders to help get participant

businesses up and running or to expand existing operations, and;• Experience in running a business that will better position youth to obtain

traditional financing, such as a bank loan.Starter Company provides an excellent opportunity for young entrepreneurs toreceive the training, mentorship and support that they need to develop their ownsuccessful ventures. If you or someone you know has a great idea for a new business or an expansion of an existing one, contact the Orangeville & Area SBECat sbec@orangeville.ca.

In The News

Orangeville Farmers’ Market • Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1.pm. untilOctober 25Located on Second Street, just behind the Town Hall, the Market on Broadwayopens every Saturday, rain or shine and features fresh produce, fruits, locallyraised meats, flowers, home baked goods, artisanal crafts, and live music toenhance your shopping experience.

Aboriginal Day • June 21Join Orangeville's 1st Annual National Aboriginal Day Celebration in Alexandra Parkfor a special opportunity to celebrate and experience the traditions of FirstNations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. Enjoy traditional foods, interactiveround dancing, singing, drumming, storytelling, hands-on workshops, along withmany traditional arts, crafts and food vendors. A wonderful family-friendly, community-building event!

Canada Day Celebrations • July 1Celebrate Canada Day at the Alder Street Recreation Centre from 2-6 p.m.Activities will include free public swims, “try it” demonstrations in the pool, children’s crafts, rock climbing, old-fashioned family games, Aussie X (learn to play“footy” and “netball”), inflatable features, and “try it” dance demonstrations. Foodwill be available for purchase. Fireworks are scheduled for approximately 10 p.m.over Island Lake (west end). View from Rotary Park or admission by donation toIsland Lake Conservation Area.

Orangeville’s Founders’ Fair and Sidewalk Sale • July 5Don’t miss the annual Founders’ Fair and Sidewalk Sale organized by theOrangeville BIA. Broadway provides the perfect setting for this heritage-themedevent that provides a day of entertainment for the entire family. The merchants ofDowntown Orangeville will be offering special deals at a large sidewalk sale andbuskers, art and craft kiosks, stage performers, food, and free attractions will provide entertainment for everyone. This year, the day will end with a special concert for youth. Visit www.downtownorangeville.ca for details.

Orangeville Rotary Ribfest • July 18 and 20Come out to the fifth annual Orangeville Rotary Ribfest at the Alder Street Rec Centrefor a weekend of fantastic ribs and great music! There will be six energetic ribbersserving up thousands of mouth-watering, barbecued-fall-off-the-bone, get-your-hands-messy ribs. There will also be a beer tent, midway for the kids and continuous liveentertainment on the big stage. Ribfest is part of a fundraising campaign that helpsto support the club’s many community projects. www.orangevilleribfest.com.

Taste of Orangeville • August 16The Taste of Orangeville will be serving hungry shoppers and foodies from 11 a.m.to 5 p.m. on Mill Street. Orangeville’s best restaurants will be offering fantastic tasting menus created by their talented chefs. Live music, extended patios andabsolutely delicious food combined with fantastic shopping – what could be better?Don’t miss out on this great culinary event. Contact events@downtownorangeville.ca.

Doors Open • August 16 and 17Explore Orangeville’s heritage and gain rare access to some of the town’s archi-tecturally, historically, culturally, and socially significant buildings. Locations willinclude Orangeville Town Hall, the Orangeville Public Library, Orangeville Legion,St. Mark’s Anglican Church, and more. A free heritage walking tour will also takeplace in downtown Orangeville. Visit www.orangevilletourism.ca for details.

Don’t Miss BLAST - June 21Kick off the start of summer with Orangeville’s firstoutdoor concert at the Island Lake ConservationArea. Running rain or shine, BLAST will be an eveningof music on the beach, including Jazz, Classical andRock entertainers. Tickets can be purchased at theOpera House Box Office, Visitor Information Centre,Island Lake Conservation Area, Town of Monooffices, or online at www.orangevilletix.ca. Gatesopen at 6 p.m. Prices: Adults $20, Students $10, 5and under FREE.

Support Young EntrepreneursThree very motivated students have been selected to participate in this year’sSummer Company Program.These young entrepreneurs will receive grants ofup to $3,000 to help them operate their summer ventures and experienceentrepreneurship first hand. Summer Company is a program available throughthe Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) in partner-ship with the Province of Ontario. Contact the SBEC office to find out how youcan support our young entrepreneurs.

Things To Know

224 Broadway, OrangevilleNew price!!! It may be known as 'The Old Fire Hall' but there is nothing old aboutthis building! Don't miss this chance to own a historic building which has beencompletely renovated inside and out while still maintaining its historical charm.This restoration was done right with true pride of ownership. Located within theCentral Business District, with many permitted uses. Asking $999,000. Pleasecontact Bruno Galluzzo,Broker, Royal LePage CreditValley Real Estate, Brokerage.Bus. 905-793-5000.

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