Present: Carol Armstrong, McMurrich/Monteith; Jessica Busch, WORC; Dave Stewart, Almaguin Highlands Inc.; Karen Insley Stewart, Cottage Pain Clinic/Almaguin Highlands Inc.; Dave Gray, CDO Burk’s Falls/Armour/Ryerson; Rosalind Hall, Ryerson; Emily Ryan, IION.
All in favour.
Business Arising (AHED Business):
Thank you to the Village of South River for hosting this month’s AHED meeting.
Emily Ryan/IION
IION is one of 18 regional innovation centre in Ontario that can help people commercialize ideas. IION’s region stretches North to Temiskaming Shores, South to Muskoka, West to West Nipissing and East to the Quebec Border – roughly 42,000 square kilometres. IION is co-located at Canadore College and Nipissing University in North Bay. Being co-located presents the optimal setting to facilitate innovation. IION works collaboratively with a variety of strategic partners to foster innovation and accelerate growth. IION provides business advisory and mentoring services, direction and guidance on public and private funding including connections to angel investor networks, connections to sector/financial/legal experts, access to market intelligence, promotes strategic business partnerships, in-house funding opportunities, educational workshops/conferences/events, Near North Resource Alliance: client/ecosystem support group. Emily reported that there will be a Professional Development Day on Friday June 19th held at Canadore from 10 – 3:30 with many interesting presentations planned.
Emily briefly discussed IION’s in-house funding programs including the IMFP (Innovative Manufacturing and Facilitation Program), the Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program and the YEP (Youth Employment Program). For more information, please contact Emily at emily@iion.ca or call 705-474-7600 ext. 5606
Karen Insley Stewart/Cottage Pain Clinic, Almaguin Highlands Inc.
Karen reported that she has been very busy selling to customers out west. They are spending a lot of time prepping reconditioned machines. They currently have 30 year old equipment and are looking to update through purchasing a 3D printer. They are holding off hoping for potential tax credits when the new government is elected. Karen briefly discussed the device used through the Cottage Pain Clinic – the medical device was brought to market approximately 30 years ago and is an alternative to pharmacology. The device utilizes pulse magnetic pain therapy for healing, mitigating or eliminating pain due to soft injuries.
Dave Stewart/Almaguin Highlands Inc.
Dave asked the group for suggestions on how the newly formed Economic Development Committee in McMurrich/Monteith can become official and best structure practices – Dave Gray suggested looking at the Term of Reference on the Burk’s Falls Website.
Dave Stewart reported that the Explorer’s Edge AGM was very interesting and well attended.
P2P is planning a “Do It For Dads – ATV Ride of Hope” Trail Ride for Saturday June 20th, from Parry Sound to Sprucedale and back again followed by a dinner at Seguin Valley Golf Club. Dave and Karen reported that they are creating a new Facebook Page for Almaguin Highlands focusing on tourism and leisure. The AHIC site is being taken over by Explorer’s Edge.
Jessica Busch/WORC
Jessica Reported that the Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday June 17th at the Friendly Circle Seniors Centre in South River. Staff at WORC recently attended Non-Violent Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training with partial funding from the Canada Ontario Job Grant program being administered through Employment North. The Women’s Own Resource Centre facilitates a couple of fund raisers over the summer – our annual book sale is getting underway, book sale lasts all summer long and donations are always appreciated. The WORC Board of Directors will be hosting the annual Garage Sale on Saturday August 1st in the Literacy Works parking lot across the street from WORC. The new program Life Skills will be launching in September. This month’s Resource & Business Network Meeting will be held at Bernard’s Bistro in Sundridge with a topic of Networking – get together to see and hear what everyone is involved with this summer – business/personal/events/festivals etc…
Carol Armstrong/McMurrich Monteith
Carol discussed the newly formed Economic Development Committee in McMurrich/Monteith – NETWORC (Networking Effectively Together With Others Revitalizes Community). The Family Festival set to take place on Saturday August 15th are still seeking vendors, crafters and those willing to demonstrate. Carol also reported that the Municipality has purchased a new firetruck and will be selling the old pumper.
Dave Gray/CDO Burk’s Falls, Armour, Ryerson
Dave reported that the Burk’s Falls Cinema is re-opening on Friday June 19th and celebrating with their first week open offering Free Admission! Check out the Burk’s Falls website for movie listings and show times. The Cinema has their new digital projector and sound system and is open 7 days a week. The new Almaguin Highlands Community Guides are in and will be delivered across the region over the next week, and posted online within two weeks. Dave encouraged that the guide should be available electronically on every Municipal website.
Rosalind Hall/Ryerson Township
June 27th, Ryerson Township will host their annual yard sale at the Ryerson Town Office Garage from 8 – 12 at 28 Midlothian Road. There is no cost to be a vendor. Rosalind reported that a new by-law has gone through banning the use of Chinese lanterns – Rosalind discussed the dangers of these, especially at events such as Harvest Festival. Heritage day will be held on Saturday July 25th celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Burk’s Falls – points of interest will include the Old School House Museum and the Watt Farm on Chetwynd which has recently been purchased by Northland Power who has leased the original house to the town for a museum.
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