Six Local Businesses Awarded $5,000 Each Through Peterborough and The Kawarthas Economic Development Starter Company Plus Program

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) awarded six local small businesses $5,000 each in funding to further support sustainable business growth, on Thursday.

The funding is made possible through the Government of Ontario’s Starter Company Plus program.

Sixteen entrepreneurs operating twelve small businesses successfully completed the five week online business training course offered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre (BAC). Based on the strength of their business plan and pitch, the following six businesses were each awarded a micro-grant:

• Angela McDonald: The Florest, Peterborough, ON – A local florist born out of a love for the outdoors and natural beauty offering fresh-cut flower bouquets with a selection of quality blooms.

• Brad Carson: Toureka!, Peterborough, ON – a mobile app and web-based platform that allows organizations of any size to offer their event-based tours in a brand-new way.

• Caitlin Smith: ReCreate Space, Peterborough, ON – a professional organizing company helping residents and small businesses of Peterborough & the Kawarthas get more organized.

• Dreda Blow and Bruno Merz: Showmakers Ptbo, Peterborough, ON - a musical theatre program for children all about making a SHOW!

• Lynda Todd: Vision Imports Ltd, Peterborough, ON – Manufacturer and distributor of keyboards and mice that can be disinfected and cleaned.

• Patrick and Deanna Leahy: Leahy Farm (final name TBD), Douro-Dummer, ON – A family farm that offers flavourful, top-grade, locally processed meat (beef, chicken, lamb, and turkey), as well as eggs from pasture-raised hens. Environmental sustainability and animal quality of life are priorities to The Leahy’s.

“We had a wide variety of businesses in the program this time around. From farm businesses to technology-based start-ups, the participants were able to learn from each other throughout the workshops.” said Entrepreneurship Officer Hillary Manion, who oversees the program for PKED. “In Peterborough & the Kawarthas, we are lucky to have thriving and growing small businesses. We have seen our communities rally around these entrepreneurs. The Starter Company Plus program is an opportunity for new start-ups and expanding businesses to access workshop training and one-on-one consultations with BAC Business Advisors and local guest speakers.”

Since its launch in 2017, the Starter Company Plus program through the BAC has assisted over 190 local entrepreneurs and over 150 small businesses. These small businesses have created over 190 jobs in our local economy.

The Starter Company Plus program is designed to provide business training for entrepreneurs from aspiring to experienced, aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough who are launching a business or expanding an existing business (operating for five years or less). To stay up to date on programs and workshops offered by the BAC, visit www.peterboroughed.ca/BAC.

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