Mayor Clarke proclaims October Small Business Month in Orillia

Mayor Steve Clarke proclaimed the month of October Small Business Month in Orillia, in support of small business owners and in recognition of the upcoming Orillia & Lake Country Business Expo taking place at Casino Rama  on Thursday, Oct. 22.

“Small business owners truly are the heart of our local economy,” said Mayor Clarke. “They account for more than 98 per cent of employer businesses in Canada, they’re a significant source of local employment and they continuously support the community through donations, sponsorships and volunteer efforts.”

Industry Canada defines small businesses as firms which have fewer than 100 employees. Businesses with fewer than four employees are defined as micro-enterprises.

“We consistently hear that one of the draws to Orillia is the strong network of businesses who not only support each other, but are welcoming and supportive of new businesses,” said Clarke.

Orillia is also home to a number of organizations dedicated to helping small businesses, such as the Business Enterprise Resource Network (BERN), the Orillia Area Community Development Corp. (CDC), the City of Orillia Economic Development Office, the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Orillia Management Board (DOMB).  These organizations often work together to promote local business, host events, and relay key information related to new projects and funding opportunities.

Every year these, and other, organizations come together to host the Orillia & Lake Country Business Expo, which will take place on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 2 – 9 p.m. at Casino Rama.

“Now entering its fifth year, the Expo was developed as a business-to-business forum to network and create partnerships,” said Laura Thompson, Economic Development Officer for the City of Orillia. “Over the years the event has grown to over 100 local businesses, and is now open to consumers who are looking to better understand what products and services are offered locally.”

The Expo offers small business owners visibility they may not otherwise have without a traditional storefront. The event offers them the opportunity to showcase their goods at a very reasonable cost in a first-class venue due to the support of a number of local sponsors. Registration for Orillia & Lake Country Business Expo is open until Oct, 2, 2015 at www.orilliabusinessexpo.ca. Space is limited.

The City of Orillia is also an organizing partner for the Food Entrepreneurs: Producing Economic Growth in Ontario’s Lake Country event taking place at the Georgian College Orillia Campus on Monday, Oct. 26. This event  will seek to engage more than 150 local food entrepreneurs and provide a venue to share successes and establish new partnerships. Details on this event are available at https://olcfoode.eventbrite.ca.

To stay up to date on business events and opportunities taking place during Small Business Month, visit businessinorillia.ca and follow The City of Orillia Economic Development Office on Facebook and on Twitter at @OrilliaEDO.

-30-

Laura Thompson
Economic Development Officer
705-325-5818
lthompson@orillia.ca

Jennifer Ruff
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-238-9209 (cell)
jruff@orillia.ca