Perspective Guelph 2021 by Perspective

Perspe ctive

Guelph | 2 0 2 1

THE VIEW FROM

GUELPH

IS PRETTY GOOD A VIBRANT

BUSINESS & LIFESTYLE

ATTRACTING TALENT

Guelph’s commercial real estate market is heating up

Come Meet Us on the Patio

Guelph has been named the best city to buy real estate in Canada

The

biological REVOLUTION is here.

You can be too.

Leasing and building opportunities available in the Research Park, strategically located in the heart of the University of Guelph. UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

University of Guelph Research Park is the right place to be right now www.uoguelph.ca/realestate UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH call us at 519-767-5014

Perspective

G u e l p h

About the cover

A message from the mayor

y thanks to Perspective Marketing for producing another great guide to living, working, and doing business in Guelph. As we emerge from the global pandemic and all the challenges it has brought us, Guelph is poised and ready for continued growth and prosperity.

Cam Guthrie, Mayor

Our city is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in Canada. Our fundamentals include a high quality of life, a vibrant and engaged community, rich arts and culture scene, diverse economy, and outstanding local support for businesses through organizations

like the Chamber of Commerce, Innovation Guelph, and Business Enterprise Centre. We’re located minutes from Highway 401 along the innovation corridor that stretches from Toronto to Waterloo Region. We’re home to the world-renowned University of Guelph and its wealth of research, expertise, and skilled graduates. The pandemic taught all of us how to adapt to new challenges almost overnight. In Guelph, it has also shown us that our city’s fundamental strengths are resilient and enduring. I invite you to take a look through this guide to learn more about our city. We would love for Guelph to be part of your success story.

The City of Guelph has seen a massive influx of residential and commercial growth as people and companies look to take advantage of a perfect blend of innovation, business culture and lifestyle amenities.

P e r s p e c t i v e TM 1464 Cornwall Rd, Suite 5, Oakville, ON L6J 7W5 1-866-779-7712 info@perspective.ca www.perspective.ca

Publisher, CeO Steve Montague ViCe-PresiDeNT Ed Martin Editorial Meredith MacLeod PerspectiveTM Guelph was produced Independent of the City of Guelph. Contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Perspective Marketing Inc. The publisher is not liable for any views expressed in the articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the City of Guelph.

Hanlon Creek Business Park Ready for Expansion

he first phase of Guelph’s 675acre Hanlon Creek Business Park is virtually sold out and inquiries are strong for the third phase, which is expected to be released to the market in the fall. Phase 1, which was entirely city owned, features a 165-acre environmental reserve in the middle of the development and a 13-kilometre trail system throughout. Tenants include Mirexus, Wurth Canada, Fusion Homes, and Halwell Mutual Insurance. Phase 2 is entirely privately owned and is currently home to GoodLeaf Farms, BSG Canada, Oci Brite, and a number of logistics companies. Guelph-based The Co-operators is currently planning its new headquarters there. Phase 3 is a mix of City-owned and privately owned parcels across about 100 acres. The plan is to bring these lands to market in collaboration with the private

land owners to attract both developers and end-users, says Tyson McMann, an economic development officer handling investment attraction and real estate. Zoning allows for flexible uses, including clean industry, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, office and laboratories and plans call for lot sizes of two to 30 acres that can be combined. “Some businesses are looking for 50 or 100 acres of land. That is getting increasingly hard to find in urban centres, but we will shortly have that available in Guelph,” said McMann. “The goal is to ensure we have product available that meets the expansion needs of existing businesses in Guelph but also to have the inventory that companies moving west of the GTA are looking for. I know that if we had another 30 or even 60 acres in Phase 1 right now, we could likely sell them quickly. The demand is there.”

The Guelph Innovation District, which sits on 329 acres of provincially owned lands in the east of the city across from the University of Guelph, also has inventory coming up for sale. It is zoned for mixed use, and will include employment, residential,

commercial and natural heritage uses. Targets include 4,200 jobs and 4,600 residents. Offers must be submitted by July 15 at 12 pm EST to the joint vendors, Infrastructure Ontario and the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario.

Perspective

Guelph’s Diverse Economy is Expanding

aturally positioned in the strongest economic region in Canada and along the country’s manufacturing and innovation corridors, Guelph is home to more than 131,000 people and a labour force of 95,000. It boasts affordability, vibrant neighbourhoods, a range of development opportunities and terrific educational institutions, including a powerhouse in agricultural and animal sciences at the University of Guelph. Guelph was founded in 1827 as a planned city by visionary pioneer John Galt who wanted to locate a centre of commerce in the wilderness a comfortable distance away from the political and economic complications found in York (later Toronto). Since then, what became known as the Royal City has forged its own independent path. It has long attracted and nurtured agriculturalists, industrialists, artists, environmentalists and those with a social purpose. As affordability in the Greater Toronto Area becomes constrained for citizens and corporations alike, Guelph is attracting those looking for a lower cost of living and doing business without giving up anything in infrastructure, amenities and quality of life, says Christine Chapman, manager of economic development for the City of Guelph. The city’s diverse economy is built on advanced manufacturing, agriculture and food, and clean technology.. Leaders in those sectors include Linamar Corporation, Cargill Meat Solutions, Polycon Industries, The Cooperators, Guelph Manufacturing Group, Inc., and Oregon Tools (formerly Blount Canada Ltd.) In addition, Guelph’s information and communication technology sector is one of the fastest growing in Canada with an increase of 35 per cent in employment since 2011. If Guelph was a secret before, it is no longer.

Guelph has recently been named the best city to buy real estate in Canada, the fourth-best large city to start a business in Canada, among the top 10 in the Americas for foreign direct investment, and the second-best for talent. The city is growing at one of the fastest rates in Canada, with the population projected to increase to 203,000 by 2051. While the City continues to invest in economic development and nurturing an open-for-business approach, planning is also underway to ensure what makes Guelph special – a certain “Guelphiness” – is protected. “There is a new energy around economic development and an opportunity to really have a look at the strengths and resiliency of the community,” said Chapman. The importance of small- and mediumsized businesses and entrepreneurship has never been more apparent, says John Regan, general manager of Economic Development and Tourism. A range of supports and incentives are available through Innovation Guelph and the Business Centre Guelph Wellington. “Making sure the businesses and entrepreneurs we have in Guelph have what they need to innovate and grow is key for us going forward.” Access to labour is also a key advantage that will be boosted by the arrival of two-way all-day GO service in and out of Toronto. Other economic strengths include excellent access to rail through the Guelph Junction Railway and strong highway links leading east and west and to U.S. border crossings. Guelphites have a deep respect for their environment and are proud of their community. In a 2017 survey, 97 per cent of Guelph residents perceived a good or very good quality of life and 94 per cent are proud to say they’re from Guelph. The City’s investment in a major infrastructure renewal and beautification project in the downtown will drive future growth and sustainability for residents and businesses alike.

G u e l p h

Guelph, Ontario From here you can do business anywhere Your business will have the competitive edge being located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor, with easy access to one of North America’s largest transportation corridors, Highway 401 only five minutes from Guelph’s Hanlon Creek Business Park. Highway 401 provides direct linkages to the Greater Toronto Area (eastbound) and Waterloo Region (westbound); both within 25 miles (40 km) of Guelph. Guelph’s close proximity to major border crossings (90 miles or 150 km) also make it an ideal location for businesses to compete globally.

3 ho urs

U.S.A.

Three shipping ports

Toronto (2), Waterloo, Hamilton and London

Toronto, Hamilton and Welland Canal

CANADAMontreal

Ottawa

Guelph Junction Railway

ONTARIO

LAKE HURON

CANADA

2 ho urs

3 ho ur s

U.S.A. Milwaukee

Chicago

London

Hamilton

Rochester

ILLINOIS

INDIANA

Airports Railway

PENNSYLVANIA

Toledo Cleveland

Indianapolis

Access to labour force within an hour’s drive Over 3.5 million workers

Shipping Ports

Erie

LAKE ERIE

OHIO

Albany

LEGEND:

OHIO

Windsor Chicago

PENNSYLVANIA NEW YORK

Cleveland

Detroit

MICHIGAN

Shipping Ports

Erie Syracuse

Buffalo

Toledo

INDIANA

LAKE MICHIGAN

NEW YORK

Airports Railway

LAKE ERIE

Niagara Falls

Sarnia

ILLINOIS

Syracuse

LEGEND: LAKE ONTARIO Windsor

MICHIGAN

Rochester Buffalo

Detroit

Kitchener Milwaukee

Hamilton Niagara Falls

Sarnia

Toronto

Guelph

Kitchener Kingston

London Belleville

ONTARIO

1 ho ur

LAKE MICHIGAN

Belleville

LAKE ONTARIO

Guelph WISCONSIN

Cincinnati

Guelph to: • Ottawa (480km) • Montreal (620km) • Pittsburgh (503km) • Cincinnati (719km) Pittsburgh • New York City (750km) • Philadelphia (760km) • Indianapolis (760km) • Chicago (763km)

New York

Number of consumers within one-day drive

MARYLAND Baltimore

More than 150 million Pittsburgh

WEST VIRGINA

Philedelphia

Economic Development and Tourism NEW bizinfo@guelph.ca • 519-837-5600 MARYLAND JERSEY Baltimore guelph.ca/business

Indianapolis

Cincinnati

Kingston

offers access to CN and CPR, competitive rates and reliable daily service Toronto

1 ho ur

Five international airports

LAKE HURON 2 ho urs

All within 90WISCONSIN minutes:

Ottawa

WEST VIRGINA

Washington

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Investors in Commercial Real Estate are Looking to Guelph The commercial real estate market is heating up in Guelph, as investors expand the geographic area in which they are looking for new opportunities.

hat has happened as land and development opportunities in the Greater Toronto Area get harder to find and much more expensive, says Ted Davis, managing director for southwestern Ontario and Toronto West at commercial real estate and consulting firm Avison Young. The first phase of the Hanlon Business Park has sold out, while offerings in the

second and third phases are attracting widespread attention, says Davis. “Ontario investors recognize the infrastructure, such as highway and rail connections, access to the border, and the post-secondary institutions that are nearby. Guelph was once a tertiary market but now it’s a very viable option. It’s been pulled into the GTA market in a real way and we are seeing rapid movement in the market right now.” The city offers a strong inventory of land and buildings, including everything from new lots of all sizes in the south end to opportunities for redevelopment of historic buildings in the downtown. For tech start-ups, Guelph’s location on the innovation corridor that stretches from Kitchener-Waterloo to Toronto is a key benefit. The office and professional services markets are also expanding in the city. All-day, two-way GO Transit service to Guelph will be a further catalyst to

investment, says Chris Valeriote, vicepresident and sales representative for southwestern Ontario at Avison Young. As a Guelph native now raising his family there,Valeriote says the city is building on its already strong foundational pieces – thriving manufacturing and agri-food sectors, an enviable quality of life and civic pride, and the power of the University of Guelph. “Guelph is leveraging those pieces as migration investment has been ramping up. Bringing in more jobs, investments and businesses to Guelph, only makes a great city that much greater.” Davis says the privately owned Avison Young’s services include site selection, brokerage, project management, and facilities management. “We don’t take a siloed approach; our offerings are truly holistic in that we can essentially become a real estate department for our clients – like a one-stop shop.”

Guelph opportunities Southwestern Ontario 245 Hanlon Creek Boulevard - New class A development - 23,000 sf first floor space available for lease - South end Guelph with close proximity to amenity rich Clair / Gordon area - Convenient access to surrounding cities employment population (Milton, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Woodstock)

Coming soon to market - Industrial / commercial condo units for sale - 2,179 sf to 34,948 sf units available - Units starting from $708,175 - Prestigious south Guelph location, minutes from Highway 401

Ryan Wilkinson* Chris Valeriote* Ray A. Robinson*

avisonyoung.ca *Sales Representative Avison Young Commercial Real Estate Services, LP, Brokerage

+1 226 366 9090

Road to Recovery: It takes a village

undreds of Guelph businesses, organizations and associations continue to support the Covid relief plan. This map shows some of the activity that has happened (and is happening) across Guelph to support the community. A key sector for the economy in Guelph is tourism. On June 3rd, 2021 the City of Guelph released some incredible news in this statement: Guelph City Council approved an additional $350,000 for the COVID-19

GUELPH COMPANY HELPING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19: Dixon’s Distillery switches production to hand sanitizer and gives it away to frontline workers Precision Biomonitoring responds to the Government of Canada’s Plan to and recieves Letter of Intent for their point-of-need SARS-CoV-2 Go-Strips and mobile testing device WelTel receives federal funding to help launch their mobile health app, which will be used to support and connect with quarantined and isolated patients

tourism recovery fund, now totalling $700,000. Additional funding allows the City to further support tourism-focused organizations and businesses through pandemic recovery. “COVID-19 has hit Guelph’s tourism industry hard,” says Matthew Hardy Thomas, manager, Tourism and Destination Development. “Through the application process, we saw an ask of over $1.6 million to meet applicants’ recovery needs. We’re happy that Council approved extra funding as this put us in a better position to help support the tourism industry as they find ways to recover, adapt, and position themselves for long-term success during and after the pandemic.” Of the $700,000, nearly 70 per cent is being distributed to 50 businesses and organizations that applied for the tourism recovery fund. The remaining 30 per cent is being allocated to support additional initiatives such as a tourism restart campaign that will aim to help attract visitors to Guelph once it’s safe to do so. The selected recipients come from a range of tourism-focused industries like hospitality, retail and event-based with 53 per cent of them located within the downtown business improvement area and 47 per cent located throughout the rest of Guelph. Recipients were selected by a committee made up of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, the Regional Tourism Organization 4 (RTO4),) the Tourism Advisory Committee, and City staff, and based on criteria like their role in Guelph’s tourism industry; need for financial assistance; initiatives that support economic recovery and support at least one of the four pillars of tourism: strengthen, steward, build and grow.

1 Linamar Corporation Hosted a vaccination clinic and producing ventilators 287 Speedvale Ave W., Guelph, Ontario N1H 1C5

3 RWDI COVID-19 testing for World Junior Championship 600 Southgate Dr, Guelph, ON N1G 4P6

5 Canadian Solar Imported 60,000 medical masks for frontline workers 545 Speedvale Ave W, Guelph, ON N1K 1E6

2 FTi Professional Grade Inc. Producing and delivering 10,000 life-saving ventilators to help Canadians 55 Taggart St, Guelph, ON N1L 1M6 4 Precision Biomonitoring Inc. Developed rapid and mobile molecular COVID-19 testing solution 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph ON Canada N1H 6J2 6 Innovation Guelph and Guelph

Chamber of Commerce

Developed the free StaySafe Rapid Testing program for Guelph businesses Innovation Guelph: 361 Southgate Dr, Guelph, ON N1G 3M5 Guelph Chamber of Commerce: 201-111 Farquhar St, Guelph, ON N1H 3N4

7 Lost Aviator Coffee Company Two Pilots who lost their jobs due to COVID started this company and are scaling quickly 295 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON N1H 3W3

8 Kirtida Kitchen

9 Dixon’s Distillery Guelph Produced hand sanitizer and equipment for front-line staff

10 Spring Mill Distillery Produced hand sanitizer and equipment for front-line staff

355 Elmira Rd N Unit 106, Guelph, ON N1K 1S5

Continuing to provide many free meals for our community’s vulnerable populations as well as front-line healthcare workers 265 Eramosa Rd, Guelph, ON N1E 2M7

43 Arthur St S, Guelph, ON N1E 0P9

11 EnvisionSQ Developed a surface coating innovation that kills the COVID-19 Virus 111 Farquhar St #3rd, Guelph, ON N1H 3N4

12 Taste Detours Developed a local cookbook from local restaurants

13 The Guelph Box Guelph Box was originally started to help local businesses continue to sell their products during the COVID-19 shutdown Virtual company

14 The Cabin Office Company Launched a custom design and build backyard studio company to create work from home office options 32 St Andrew St, Guelph, ON N1H 1N8

10C shared space, 42 Carden St, Guelph, ON N1H 3A2

SO WAT

RD 124

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Guelph Nordic Ski Club

Marymount Cemetery

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Riverside Park

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Pollinators Park

Guelph Country Club

Bandshell

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Former Guelp h Correctional Centre

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To: 401 / Aberfoyle

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Colonial Drive Park

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To: Cambridge Guelph to Cambridg e Hiking Trail

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THE WARD Guelph Central Station

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Springdale Park

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Casltebury Park

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10 TWO RIVERS 11 6a Guelph 12 Market

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Margaret Greene Park

Stephanie Drive Park

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X METROLIN To: Kitchener / Waterloo

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Mitchell Park

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Marksam Park

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Guelph General Hospital

Exhibition Park

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St Joseph’s Health Centre

Norm Jary Park

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Herb Markl e Park

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IG 10 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE Innovation Guelph’s 10th Anniversary A Message from CEO Anne Toner Fung I am proud to be marking Innovation Guelph’s 10th anniversary, as we take a moment to look back over successes of the last decade while planning for what comes next. Innovation Guelph spent its first few years building a strong foundation to grow on. Along the way, we helped hundreds of Canadian companies start, grow and thrive. Their success led to our growth. And now, we are celebrating 10 years with our incredible team of staff, mentors and industry experts, our clients, and our community partners – the people who make our success possible. The world is experiencing many complex problems. Without innovators and entrepreneurs, we have little chance of finding solutions. If you are a committed, purpose-driven, ambitious and coachable entrepreneur, we can help you change the world. Whether you are just starting out or stalled on your growth path, Innovation Guelph is worth investigating. Like our first exciting chapter, the next ten years hold great promise for Innovation Guelph and the businesses we support. Happy 10th anniversary Innovation Guelph!

“Innovation Guelph has been there to support, mentor, guide, cheer and encourage us and we are proud to support them as they help other Agri-tech companies achieve their dreams. We consider Innovation Guelph our friends.” -Phil Whiting PhD Founding CEO, Mirexus

After a one-year hiatus, here is what you can expect from our third annual Ontario Innovation Expo While it may look a little different this year, on October 21, 2021 (10-21-21) Innovation Guelph will deliver the immersive online experience we have all been waiting for; the Ontario Innovation Expo is back for its third and most exciting year yet! This years agenda is packed! 100 innovative companies will set up virtual 3-D booths to showcase their products and services. There will be time to connect one-to-one with the entrepreneurs and sponsors, ask questions and even buy goods. Join us for a panel discussion with leading CEOs from diverse sectors, stages, and genders; opportunities to connect with experts, investors, potential clients, and more. In addition to the tradeshow floor, we are excited to (soon!) announce two amazing keynote speakers and an afternoon of matched investor-to-entrepreneur “speeddating.” Tickets are FREE for registered attendees. Booths will showcase Innovative Guelph clients (both current and alumni) of all sizes in the following sectors: advanced manufacturing, cleantech, biotech, medtech, food & beverage, agri-innovation, and ICT/technology. If you are interested in sponsoring this event or finding out more details, visit www.ontarioinnovationexpo.ca, or reach out to Mickey Campeau at Mickey.Campeau@innovationguelph.ca and follow #ONinnovationexpo on social networks.

L PH’ E U

CRAFT BEER Fixed Gear Brewery

P IC K

- U P & D E LI V E R Y

SMALL BATCH – Craft Brewed Patio, Beer Store, Takeout now available Wood Burning Pizza & Wings Specials! Located in Guelph, Ontario, Wellington Brewery is one of Canada’s original craft brewers. For over 35 years they’ve been crafting award-winning beer with a focus on quality, consistency, creativity, and balance. Try A Welly On this summer at the all-new Welly Beer Garden located at 950 Woodlawn Rd W in Guelph or place a beer order online with flat-rate shipping anywhere in Ontario at wellingtonbrewery.ca

Free local Delivery Ontario wide shipping for beer 3 Locations: Canteen (Canteen, Patio, Beer Store, & Takeout) 5 Edinburgh St. S. Mon-Sun 12pm-11pm Alma St. (Patio & Beer Store) 20 Alma St. S. Mon-Sun 10am-9pm Elmira Rd (Beer store only) 355 Elmira Rd N Unit 135 Mon-Sat 10am-5pm

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Food & Drink. Stay Relax. Guelph Welcomes You. Guelph has a wealth of experiences and amenities to delight residents looking for a staycation and visitors wanting a day trip or a weekend getaway.

hat includes arts and cultural offerings, global dining at independent restaurants, a thriving and historic downtown, and a long list of outdoor and recreational attractions. The downtown features unique shops and entertainment venues, beautifully restored historic buildings, murals and public art and walking tours, including those geared to the arts, cuisine, heritage and ghost stories. More than 32 patios are found downtown and through 2020, the City closed a main intersection on weekends to create a pedestrianized patio district. That proved extremely popular and will return in 2021, says Dana Keller, tourism destination development coordinator with the City of Guelph. Guelph offers four-season recreation, including lakes and rivers, trails, and parks, conservation areas, golf courses, and plenty of cycling amenities. City parks include Riverside and Royal City, the latter of which is a gateway to the downtown and connects to Guelph’s beloved covered pedestrian bridge. It is one of only two lattice-covered bridges in Ontario and features an ever-changing LED light display. Exploring the 400 acres of the Arboretum at the University of Guelph is

a gorgeous experience any time of year, says Keller. The lovely university campus is also stroll-worthy and contains the Art Gallery of Guelph and its outdoor sculpture garden, Canada’s largest. “Guelph really is a choose-your-own adventure experience for visitors and residents alike.” When you work up a thirst and appetite, the food and beverage scene is vibrant, too. Guelph’s high-quality groundwater has made it a location of choice for beermakers, including Sleeman Brewery, as well as Canada’s oldest independently owned microbrewery in Wellington Brewery. Also calling Guelph home is Brothers Brewing, Fixed Gear and Royal City Brewing. All the breweries offer a patio experience and collaborate on the Guelph. Beer bus, which offers a brewery loop.

Dixon’s Distilled Spirits features an outdoor tasting room and Spring Mill Distillery has on-site tours in a fully restored historic mill and distillery along the Speed River. The City operates the Guelph Farmers’ Market on Saturdays and visitors can also take advantage of Taste Real, which promotes farm markets and stands in Wellington County, which surrounds the city. Behind visiting friends and relatives, the another popular reason people come to Guelph is for festivals and special events. They include the Hillside Festival, Guelph Dance Fest, Jazz Fest, the Guelph Film Festival, Royal City Uke Fest and the Guelph and District Multicultural Festival. Attractions include the Guelph Civic Museum, which tells the story of the city through more than 30,000 artifacts

housed in a former convent and the East End Pollinator Park that turned a decommissioned landfill into one of Canada’s largest pollination areas. You can see a movie at a drive-in, visit an antique carousel, stroll through an Old Growth Forest at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre or watch a Guelph Royals baseball game at Exhibition Park. “There is so much to see and do even if Guelph is your hometown,” said Keller. “I work in tourism and I grew up here and there are places I’ve yet to visit.You can have fun while supporting a local recovery.” Note: Some attractions and amenities may be closed or operating in a restricted capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions and public health directives.

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Plan a Day Trip to Guelph Guelph Shops started as a pandemic initiative to promote local businesses but will carry on through recovery and beyond.

“I

t has been very popular with businesses and residents. People want to support their local businesses and this makes it easy to do so,” said Kurtis Wells, marketing and events coordinator with the City of Guelph’s Economic Development and Tourism division. Guelph Shops is a partnership between the City of Guelph, Invest in Guelph, the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and the University of Guelph. Since the launch, Guelph Shops has continually grown adding new businesses and developing new creative ways to feature the great businesses located in Guelph. Guelph’s business community has appreciated the support and that the City and its partners are giving visibility to local restaurants, service providers and merchants, the majority of which are independent, says Wells. “This has been a way to give back. It’s free of charge to participate and we have written spotlight profiles that have humanized the stories and allowed readers to get to know the owner and the business. There are so many hidden gems in our city.” The initiative, which includes an online hub to search for products and services, along with an advertising and

social media campaign and coverage from local news media, puts a priority on showcasing the diversity of businesses and entrepreneurs in Guelph. It also promotes how businesses adapted and pivoted in response to the pandemic. Guelph Shops links with other local, regional and provincial shopping platforms, including Downtown Guelph, the Guelph Farmers’ Market, Shop Guelph.com, Hey Local and Shop Local Ontario. “As long as it’s possible to search for Guelph businesses, we add the platform because we want to make it as easy as possible to find local businesses with the product or service people are looking for,” said Wells. The goal was to make the program as user-friendly as possible for businesses, so they received a social media toolkit to promote their participation, along with stickers to display in their storefronts. The idea for Guelph Shops came out of the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Recovery and was immediately embraced, says Wells. “Guelph looks at everything as a partnership.” Throughout the pandemic, the city’s business community has pulled together and Wells says he expects that will be true throughout the recovery, as well. “What we’ve seen is what we expected from such a giving community. Businesses have persevered, worked together and found ways to alter their course. How everyone has risen to the occasion has been remarkable to see.” Wells says Guelph Shops will help fuel great pent-up demand to visit local business districts and eateries. “Prioritizing and promoting local businesses has never been more important,” said Shakiba Shayani, president & CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. “Guelph Shops is a thoughtful campaign for business owners and community members to engage in as we work to rebuild Guelph’s economic prosperity.” In addition to Guelph Shops, City economic development staff

have focused on providing easy-tounderstand and timely information to business owners about government programs and funding that could help them weather the storm, says Wells. Residents are encouraged to visit guelphshops.ca to begin their next

local purchase and share it using #GuelphShops. Businesses are also encouraged to list their business on the site, free of charge, if they haven’t already done so and to reach out to bizinfo@guelph.ca if they would like to be featured in a free Guelph Shops Business Spotlight Profile.

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Globe & Mail Ad __ FOR PRINT__ Final File__ Thurs. Oct 15. 2020.pdf

CMY

2020-10-15

4:21 PM