C
Business
onnections June 2014
Orangeville’s Cultural Advantage - Municipal Cultural Plan
The Town of Orangeville recently launched its first-ever Municipal Cultural Plan which will shape the future of arts and culture in Orangeville over the next several years. “This Plan is a guide that shows how our cultural strengths can be leveraged to build our community and contribute to Orangeville’s economic prosperity,” says Mayor Rob Adams. “A strong cultural foundation attracts business, tourists and residents to the town and I look forward to working with all of our residents and businesses to ensure that Orangeville reaches its greatest potential as a culturally and economically vibrant community.” A project of the Town’s Arts & Culture Committee, the Cultural Plan was developed from extensive community engagement, research and analysis and it outlines a large number of recommendations and priority actions to enhance the Town’s arts, culture and heritage sectors. With recommendations made across four strategic themes, the Plan will be used to strengthen Orangeville’s cultural potential and can be found online 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, Chair of the Arts & Culture Committee. “Orangeville’s Cultural Advantage shows how the arts add jobs and 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, which identifies and locates various cultural assets within Orangeville and helps to entice visitors to the 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 happening in Orangeville that create additional cultural and tourism revenue opportunities for our businesses.” Residents, business owners and community members are invited to visit Orangeville’s Cultural Map to discover the Town’s rich and diverse culture and to identify additional cultural resources within the community. Orangeville’s cultural plan and mapping project was funded in partnership through the Province of Ontario’s Creative Communities Prosperity Fund and was developed by Culture Capital in partnership with Nordicity and GeoPraxis.
June 16 - 20 is Tourism Week in Orangeville Recognizing the positive impact that tourism has on our local community, Councillor Sylvia Bradley proclaimed the week of June 16 - 20 as Tourism Week in Orangeville. Councillor Bradley (centre) is joined at the Orangeville Train Station by Orangeville’s Economic Development Manager Ruth Phillips and Director of Economic Development, Planning and Innovation Nancy Tuckett.
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Volume 5
Issue 3
Company Profile
Visitor services staff provide a wealth of information and suggestions to Orangeville visitors. From left are staff Sharon Woodbury, Susan Reynolds and Marsha Grant.
Orangeville Visitor Information Centre Opened in January 2013, the Orangeville Visitor Information Centre provides comprehensive travel and tourism-related information about the local community as part of the Town of Orangeville’s ongoing effort to create a positive experience for Orangeville 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 experience in Orangeville and to encourage repeat visits. From fielding general inquiries and making suggestions for local adventures to building customized itineraries for guests or jumping on board a guided tour of the Town’s many tree sculptures, the staff at the Visitor Centre make sure guests to Orangeville feel welcomed and that they leave wanting to come back. The Centre was developed at the Town’s main Highway 10 entrance in recognition of the growing impact that tourism has on the local economy and in an effort to further establish Orangeville as a tourism destination. In addition to providing assistance to visitors to the community, staff at the Centre actively complete outreach to tour companies and groups in an effort to promote the local area and encourage visitation. Response to the Centre has been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating the importance of providing personalized interaction and outstanding customer service. According to Mayor Rob Adams, the Centre is an investment in the Town’s future. “The quality services provided by the Visitor Information Centre support increased and extended visits to the community and this in turn, supports our local businesses and contributes to job creation.” The Orangeville Visitor Information Centre operates seven days per week from 200 Lakeview Court in Orangeville and walk-in inquiries are welcomed. To find out how the Centre can help you, call 1-855-415-8687; email tourism@orangeville.ca or visit www.orangevilletourism.ca.
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Upcoming Events
In The News
Orangeville Farmers’ Market • Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1.pm. until October 25 Located on Second Street, just behind the Town Hall, the Market on Broadway opens every Saturday, rain or shine and features fresh produce, fruits, locally raised meats, flowers, home baked goods, artisanal crafts, and live music to enhance your shopping experience.
Aboriginal Day • June 21 Join Orangeville's 1st Annual National Aboriginal Day Celebration in Alexandra Park for a special opportunity to celebrate and experience the traditions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. Enjoy traditional foods, interactive round dancing, singing, drumming, storytelling, hands-on workshops, along with many traditional arts, crafts and food vendors. A wonderful family-friendly, community-building event!
Canada Day Celebrations • July 1 Celebrate 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. Food will 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 to Island Lake Conservation Area.
Orangeville’s Founders’ Fair and Sidewalk Sale • July 5 Don’t miss the annual Founders’ Fair and Sidewalk Sale organized by the Orangeville BIA. Broadway provides the perfect setting for this heritage-themed event that provides a day of entertainment for the entire family. The merchants of Downtown Orangeville will be offering special deals at a large sidewalk sale and buskers, 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 20 Come out to the fifth annual Orangeville Rotary Ribfest at the Alder Street Rec Centre for a weekend of fantastic ribs and great music! There will be six energetic ribbers serving up thousands of mouth-watering, barbecued-fall-off-the-bone, get-your-handsmessy ribs. There will also be a beer tent, midway for the kids and continuous live entertainment on the big stage. Ribfest is part of a fundraising campaign that helps to support the club’s many community projects. www.orangevilleribfest.com.
Taste of Orangeville • August 16 The 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 and absolutely 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 17 Explore Orangeville’s heritage and gain rare access to some of the town’s architecturally, historically, culturally, and socially significant buildings. Locations will include Orangeville Town Hall, the Orangeville Public Library, Orangeville Legion, St. Mark’s Anglican Church, and more. A free heritage walking tour will also take place in downtown Orangeville. Visit www.orangevilletourism.ca for details.
Real Estate - Featured Listing 224 Broadway, Orangeville New price!!! It may be known as 'The Old Fire Hall' but there is nothing old about this building! Don't miss this chance to own a historic building which has been completely renovated inside and out while still maintaining its historical charm. This restoration was done right with true pride of ownership. Located within the Central Business District, with many permitted uses. Asking $999,000. Please contact Bruno Galluzzo, Broker, Royal LePage Credit Valley Real Estate, Brokerage. Bus. 905-793-5000.
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Starter Company Launched - Money and Mentoring for You! The Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) is excited to announce a new program designed to increase entrepreneurship among youth and enable them to become job creators instead of job seekers. As part of a new Provincial Youth Jobs Strategy, the Starter Company Program was approved by Orangeville Council in late February and is now available to support young entrepreneurs to pursue their goals of self-employment. Starter Company will provide entrepreneurial youth with the support needed to help them 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 to receive the training, mentorship and support that they need to develop their own successful 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 SBEC at sbec@orangeville.ca.
Things To Know Don’t Miss BLAST - June 21 Kick off the start of summer with Orangeville’s first outdoor concert at the Island Lake Conservation Area. Running rain or shine, BLAST will be an evening of music on the beach, including Jazz, Classical and Rock entertainers. Tickets can be purchased at the Opera House Box Office, Visitor Information Centre, Island Lake Conservation Area, Town of Mono offices, or online at www.orangevilletix.ca. Gates open at 6 p.m. Prices: Adults $20, Students $10, 5 and under FREE.
Support Young Entrepreneurs Three very motivated students have been selected to participate in this year’s Summer Company Program.These young entrepreneurs will receive grants of up to $3,000 to help them operate their summer ventures and experience entrepreneurship first hand. Summer Company is a program available through the Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) in partnership with the Province of Ontario. Contact the SBEC office to find out how you can support our young entrepreneurs.
87 Broadway, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 1K1 Phone: 519-941-0440 Toll Free: 1-866-941-0440 E-mail: info@orangevillebusiness.ca Twitter: @OrangevilleED You Tube: Orangeville Business Facebook: Orangeville Economic Development & Tourism