BusinessonnectionsIssue 1Volume 2February 2011

ORANGEVILLEBUSINESS.CA Connect w i t h Bus iness . Connect w i t h L i fe .

Regional Tourism Organizations Launch Marketing InitiativesIn an effort to create a stronger, more competitive tourism industry in Ontario, the Provincial Government has redefined the boundaries that make up the tourismregions in the province. The 13 new Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) will be independent, industry-led, not-for-profit organizations, responsible for working withtourism partners to enhance and grow each region’s tourism offerings and marketing initiatives. The RTOs will be responsible for leadership in strategic planning andmarketing, innovation and product development, investment attraction and workforce development and skills training. As part of the Hills of Headwaters, Orangeville is part of Regional Tourism Organization Zone 6 (RTO6), along with Durham and YorkRegions. “Moving forward in RTO6, synergies resulting from the engagement of stakeholders across the region will create a strongermarket presence for everyone,” enthuses Bob Law who sits on the RTO6 board of directors. “As these synergies grow and new partner-ships are explored (with government and key stakeholders), expansion into new markets will come, resulting in increased exposure andtourism activity in RTO6.”For more information on RTO6 or to check out the newest marketing initiatives, please visit www.centralcounties.ca.

Orangeville Welcomes Pinehurst Store FixturesWith a wonderful start to the new year, the Town of Orangeville welcomesPinehurst Store Fixtures Inc. to the community. A leading custom fabricationfacility, Pinehurst took possession of the former Johnson Controls property at120 C Line on January 15, 2011 with plans to initiate operations in the130,000-square-foot facility by February 15 and be in full production by April 1.The business, which manufactures custom store fixtures, boasts an impressivecustomer list that spans North America, including a large number of depart-ment and specialty stores, food and hospitality related businesses and chainsand financial institutions. During its 40-year history, Pinehurst Store Fixtureshas grown from a small woodworking shop to a world class custom fabricationcentre that works in wood, glass, metal and acrylic fabrication. The businesshas won multiple design and display awards and specializes in managing customfabrication projects from start to finish, including roll-out and installation. Asone of the largest custom fabrication facilities in North America today, sayscompany president Don Christie, “Pinehurst has a long history of commitmentto quality, craftsmanship and customer service excellence and I think thesevalues are a good fit with Orangeville”. Relocating from Mississauga, Ontario, Pinehurst’s workforce is comprised primarily of skilled workers with total employee numbers ranging between 90and 145 over the past five years. So far, Mr. Christie indicates that the expe-rience of relocating to Orangeville has been very positive, noting “The Townof Orangeville has been very helpful in our discussions with respect to thismove. We look forward to our continued growth and success in Orangeville.”To learn more about Pinehurst Store Fixtures, visit their website at www.pinehurstinc.com.

COMPANY PROFILE

CThe Town of Orangeville has launched anewly-revised and interactive businesswebsite - orangevillebusiness.ca. Thenew design features information on business-related services, programs andevents in the Town of Orangeville and alsoprovides an excellent user experience.The website was developed in recognitionof the increasing significance of theInternet in today’s competitive businessenvironment and the growing importanceof a comprehensive economic develop-ment website as a critical investmentattraction tool.Following up on recommendations madein the Town’s Economic DevelopmentStrategy, staff launched the business-related updates in late summer with thegoal of providing greater prominence toOrangeville’s community and businessprofile. The project was funded primarily through the Ministry of EconomicDevelopment and Trade’s Communities in Transition initiative and improvements tothe Town’s investment readiness and business retention efforts have been realizedas a result.Building on existing content, new and more comprehensive information is now available to existing and prospective businesses along with a number of newenhancements designed to increase user friendliness, communication and accessto information, news and events. The new website is much more interactive and features stories and videos showcasing the features and benefits of the Orangeville community as well asvideo testimonials from businesses within the Town’s target sectors. A new property search function enables potential investors to quickly access the informa-tion they need about properties and land available in Town and this feature is complemented by the integration of mapping by Google My Maps into the site.User convenience has also been enhanced with the newly-added registration component, enabling users to register online for any of the business-related workshops and events held throughout the year. Subscription options provided atthe website make it easy for visitors to retrieve the latest content and news.Plans to further expand outreach to the broader business community through theimplementation of additional social media tools are underway. To explore the manynew features available on the revised website, visit www.orangevillebusiness.ca.

Town Launches Revisedand Interactive Business Website

ORANGEVILLEBUSINESS.CA 87 Broadway, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 1K1Phone: 519-941-0440 Toll Free: 1-866-941-0440 Fax: 519-941-9033 E-mail: edo@orangeville.ca

Developing Business Writing Skills • February 9, 9 a.m.Whether you are developing new marketing and promotional materials or are communicating with customers, suppliers or prospects, quality writing is essentialto your business success. This workshop will provide information on writing forspecific audiences and purposes and outline the differences between bios, back-grounders, press releases and when to use each. Participants will learn how toplan engaging communications that highlight features and benefits, while alsolearning how to develop, maintain and improve content. Cost - $20.

Tax Planning for Small Business • February 16, 6:30 p.m.Gerry Hogenhout, CGA, of Hogenhout and Associates will provide valuable tips andessential rules to follow in operating a small business. Self-employed individualswill learn about effective tax deferral techniques, home office deductions, commonmisconceptions and much more. Be sure to bring your questions! Free.

Blogging for Business: Practical Tools for Writing for the WebFebruary 23, 9 a.m.This workshop will provide business owners with the tools, tips and examples thatthey need to write blogs and other web-based materials in order to create a professional business image. Major topics will include blog basics and overcomingchallenges to blogging, combining online writing with social media and developing,maintaining and improving content. Cost - $15.

Search Engine Optimization • March 23, 9 a.m.Canadians are very active Internet users and most of that use starts at a searchengine. In this workshop, participants will learn how to use search engines to makesure their websites get noticed. An overview of search engine optimization strategies and best practices, researching and selecting keywords to drive qualified traffic to their sites will be provided. Content development, in-page optimization, link building and tracking results will all be addressed in this informa-tive event. Cost - $15.

Income Tax Planning for Small Business • March 30, 10 a.m.A representative from the Canada Revenue Agency will provide income tax information for unincorporated business owners. Self-employed individuals willlearn valuable tips and essential rules for reporting business income and expenses, HST registration and filing requirements and record-keeping obligationsto comply with federal income tax reporting. Free.

Low-Cost Marketing Strategies • April 19, 6:30 p.m.Creative thinking can be an important and effective marketing tool and successfulsmall business owners are always looking for innovative and inexpensive ways topromote their businesses. In this session, participants will learn about differentstrategies that can be used to take charge of their marketing without breaking thebank. Cost - $10.

2011 Orangeville and Area Tourism Conference • June 8, 9 a.m.This year’s event will feature an eye-opening keynote address by Theresa Syer, aleading expert in customer experience management. The quality of the experienceis what matters most to customers and participants will learn how to provideunparalleled customer experiences that drive retention, loyalty and referrals fromyour customers. Cost - $25 (includes lunch).

You can register for events online at www.orangevillebusiness.ca.

Broadway Grande Creates NewCommercial SpaceOrangeville’s picturesque downtown will soon have a new addition in the form ofBroadway Grande. The new mixed-use residential, commercial and retail development, situated between Armstrong Street and Broadway will create additional employment opportunities in the central business district.Fronting on Broadway, the five-storey mixed use building will feature 30,000 sq. ft.of retail and commercial office space, topped off with two floors of residentialspace divided into 16 lofts. A breezeway will lead to an enclave of 44 townhousesand a private parkette.The first phase of construction for the project began in June 2010 with an initial focus on construction of the enclave of residential townhouses. The second phase of construction will focus on the retail and commercial mixed-usebuilding and is scheduled to start in the spring of 2011. The new development is expected to enhance the downtown core by providingadditional places for people to live, shop and work right in the heart of Orangeville.The Town of Orangeville has worked with businesses in the Business ImprovementArea to create a place where people want to shop, dine and interact and theBroadway Grande will build on those efforts. “A vibrant downtown is reflective of a community’s spirit and strength,” saysOrangeville Mayor Rob Adams. “The Town is committed to the downtown’s continued vibrancy – from infrastructure investments, façade improvements andbeautification initiatives to hosting major community events.” “We want to see business succeed. We want to see the downtown prosper. Withinvestments like the Broadway Grande project, that prospect is realistic.”For more information on the Broadway Grande please visitwww.broadwaygrande.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE NEWS

2010 Economic Outlook BreakfastDerek Burleton, Vice President and Deputy ChiefEconomist with TD Bank Financial Group, was thekeynote speaker October 22 at the Town ofOrangeville's 2010 Economic Outlook Breakfast.Speaking to a sold-out crowd of 120 local business andcommunity leaders, Mr. Burleton's key message wasthat the Canadian economy is on its way back, but thatgrowth is expected to be modest in the coming quarters, with above average unemployment numbers during the interim.

Fall SIOR EventThe Town’s Economic Development/SBEC office sponsored and attendedthe recent Society of Industrial andOffice Realtors (SIOR) event inMississauga. The event, attended byapproximately 1,300 industrial and commercial realtors and site selectors,provided the Town with an excellentopportunity to showcase the benefits oflocating in Orangeville.

THINGS TO KNOW

116 Broadway, OrangevilleDevelopment of Broadway Grandehas commenced. This new complexwith 44 townhome villas, 30,000 sq.ft. of office space, 15 residentialsuites and five stores will be situatedright on Broadway in Orangeville'senergetic downtown core.

For more information, please contactJerry Snel, Broker, Re/Max RealEstate Centre Inc. Brokerage at 519-942-8700 or by email at jerrysnel@rogers.com.

REAL ESTATE - FEATURED LISTING