Economic Development Update - May 2025

You're Invited to the Grey & Bruce Tourism Brochure Swap

Date: Tuesday, May 6

Time: 10am - 12pm EDT

Location: Grey Roots Museum & Archives, 102599 Grey County Road 18 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N6

Do you own or operate a tourism business? Are you part of a municipal, community, or tourism organization and help promote tourism in the Grey-Bruce region? Join us for our annual tourism brochure swap at Grey Roots on Tuesday, May 6.

Swap brochures, network and get a sneak peek at what's new at Grey Roots! ⁠

Learn more and register for the brochure swap here

Workplace Safety Training Opportunity for Local Businesses

The Nuclear Innovation Institute located in Port Elgin are currently offering Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification Training, ideal for businesses with 20+ employees that want to ensure they meet legislative requirements and keep their workplaces safe:

Upcoming Courses:

• JHSC Certification – Part 1: April 28–30
• JHSC Certification – Part 2: May 1–2

*Participants can register for Part 1, Part 2 or both.

Location:

NII Advance Technology Campus
117 Farrell Drive, Tiverton, Ontario

Time:

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM daily

Cost:

Part 1: $569.25 + HST

Part 2: $379.50 + HST

*Additional fee of $20/day for catered lunch.

This training is perfect for employees who are members of (or will soon join) your workplace Joint Health and Safety Committee, or for anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of workplace health and safety responsibilities.

Please find the flyer with full details, including how to register here. If you have any questions or would like to reserve spots for your team, I’d be happy to help!

AI for SMBs: A Free Google course!

We are thrilled to share Grow with Google's new, free AI resource for small businesses: AI for SMBs! 

With this new course, small business owners can get hands-on experience prompting Gemini to brainstorm ideas and speed up their daily work tasks. Crafted with Google experts, this course will cut through the AI jargon and reveal how Google's AI-powered tools can help you:

• Save Time: Automate tasks and streamline operations.
• Wow Customers: Deliver personalized and engaging experiences.
• Boost Your Bottom Line: Drive more sales and grow your revenue.

Ready to unlock the potential of AI for your business? Access AI for SMBs for free: Learn More

RTO7 Funding & Business Support

To support tourism operators across BruceGreySimcoe, RTO7 has compiled a selection of partner resources that provide detailed information of available grants and funding at the federal, provincial, regional, and municipal levels:
 
If you’re developing events for Culture Days or running other arts, culture, and heritage programs, Culture Days provides a curated list of funding sources. This includes opportunities with upcoming deadlines as well as those accepting rolling applications.
Explore the Culture Days Funding Resource
 
Simcoe County’s Economic Development Office maintain an up-to-date directory of funding programs across all levels of government. This includes opportunities relevant to tourism, business development, and community initiatives.
Visit the Simcoe County EDO Funding Page
 
Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) offers a dedicated funding and grants resource hub for tourism operators. This includes current programs and application links to help businesses access available support.
View TIAO's Funding Hub

To view a full list of resources from a variety of sources and organizations, visit the Town’s Business Support page.   

Still have questions? Reach out!