Axleworks is Gananoque’s cultural corner, symbol of town’s creative economy
In Gananoque there’s no better symbol of the town’s growing creative economy than a popular downtown business that has become the town’s premier arts, culture and heritage precinct.
Opened in June 2009 in a 180-year-old stone heritage building that once housed the head office of a steelworks factory, AxleWorks combines an industrial design fashion gallery and store, a funky coffee shop, and a cozy restaurant—all under one roof.
Pam Staples, Gananoque’s Cultural and Heritage Coordinator, says the three-tiered business, which has become a popular shopping and dining destination, is a fantastic addition to the town’s growing creative economy.
“AxleWorks reflects the vision of a creative economy and has developed a successful business model that benefits their business and the community,” says Staples.
Run by Shannon Yates and Zach Treanor, AxleWorks is a popular destination among artists and art enthusiasts and has become a well-known forum for artists to display and perform their work.
The three businesses housed by AxleWorks are as follows:
• The Steel Style Garage is a 1,500sq.ft. gallery of industrial design and fashion.
• The Socialist Pig is an art deco coffee shot with suitcase shells for tables and other creative décor.
• The Pig Iron Beer & Barbecue is a cozy restaurant that offers classic comfort food in a rustic urban environment.
Built in the 1830s, the building used to be head office to Gananoque Spring and Axle, which made parts for horse-drawn carriages and was a big supplier to GM Canada in the early 20th century.
Yates and Treanor bought the property in May 2009 and decorated it with its manufacturing past in mind. The décor features combinations of wood, steel and copper salvaged from the property.
Staples says Gananoque residents are proud to have the innovative arts centre in their community.
“AxleWorks has surpassed the general expectations of a business and turned their business into a destination attracting people from the community, region and province,” Staples says.
Peterborough-area economic development boss promotes region in Japan
Trade and tourism officials in Japan received a visit earlier this month from the Peterborough area’s top economic developer.
Dan Taylor, President and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corp., stopped over in Tokyo during a personal business trip to talk up his area’s most exciting industries and to get a sense of opportunities in Japan.
“We saw this as a good opportunity to promote the Peterborough region and look for foreign investment attraction and tourism opportunities for a relatively low cost,” says Taylor. Because Taylor was already stopping in Tokyo, the trip came at little extra cost.
The folks at Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corp. called ahead of Taylor’s trip. They discovered that some synergies might be possible between the two communities, so Taylor met with four key economic development officials. They talked about Peterborough-area industries, including aerospace, energy, clean-water technology, tourism, and health and creative ventures.
Taylor met with the head of the Ontario International Marketing Centre in Tokyo - Investment Attraction; a team leader and senior trade commissioner at the Canadian Embassy; the marketing manager of Ontario Tourism Japan; and the editor of Ontario Style, a website promoting Ontario to Japanese tourists.
It was a worthwhile trip, suggests a release from Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corp.
“Foreign diplomats share knowledge regarding market conditions, sensitivities, opportunities and investment leads in the countries in which they reside that have the potential to translate into valuable opportunities, business development and job creation for the Peterborough region,” the release says.
Provincial government grants help generate 67 new jobs in Brockville
Organizations in Brockville used $2.9 million in provincial government grants over the last four years to help create 67 new jobs in the city.
Eastern Ontario Economic Development Fund grants were won by three Brockville manufacturers and one partnership between the City of Brockville and St. Lawrence College, says Dave Paul, Brockville’s Director of Economic Development.
Northern Cables, Trillium Healthcare, Burnbrae Farms and the public partnership used the provincial funding to help pay for four projects worth almost $19 million.
The $80-million Eastern Ontario Development Fund was created to stimulate new and expanded investment for Eastern Ontario's manufacturing sector.
The current program will end in March but may be renewed as a permanent program.
Kingston to host Green Profit conference in March for sustainable solutions
Innovative business leaders, economic developers, policy developers and researchers from all over will gather in Kingston in March to attend the SWITCH Green Profit Conference and Exhibition.
The conference, which will feature topics including sustainable energy innovations, best practices and how they can be applied to business, municipalities, homes, and communities, will take place March 18 and 19 at the Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront.
Real-world solutions will be provided for reducing financial and environment costs of energy, driving economic growth in a region, reducing energy use and the reliance on carbon fuels, and greening one’s business and community future.
Keynote addresses will be made by award-winning author-journalist and green-energy advocate Paul McKay and Fielding Chemical Technologies CEO Ellen McGregor.
A welcoming letter to conference attendees from Kingston Mayor Mark Gerretsen says the event will be a great opportunity for businesses and municipalities to conduct sustainable energy networking, collaborate across sectors, and increase profits.
The conference will be run by SWITCH Kingston, an organization that promotes the development and commercialization of energy-efficient and alternative energy technologies, products, processes, and services to improve local environmental and economic sustainability.
Federal Government introduces another round of SMART funding
The federal government has announced it will create a new round of funding to help southern Ontario manufacturers improve productivity and competitiveness in global markets.
Administered by Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) and funded by Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev), the fund will see the federal government invest up to $18.9 million in this new round.
Called Prosperity Now, the fund will see the CME accepting applications as early as February. Monitor the CME’s website—www.cme-smart.ca—for the most up-to-date information.
In order to be eligible for SMART funding, manufacturers must be exporting, planning to export, or selling into an existing supply chain. The money will help pay for productivity assessments or to undertake productivity improvement projects.
Successful applications can receive as much as 50 percent of eligible costs for productivity assessments to a maximum contribution of $5,000. Productivity enhancement projects can qualify for funding of up to 33 percent of eligible costs to a maximum contribution of $75,000.
A series of informative workshops are being offered in February to help interested applicants to navigate the program.