Cheers!

While we wish we could reverse the decision of Sherritt International to shut down the local and historic operations, our office decided that the first priority should be the local employees soon to be out of work as of August 27.

Today, August 25 at 2:30pm, Economic Development Manager Andrew Redden is personally introducing our Enterprise Facilitation^®  project to all of the remaining employees and he will be joined by our Enterprise Facilitator Darcelle Runciman.  50 packages including information on the project are being hand delivered and Darcelle, as always, is available to provide free and confidential coaching to any of the employees who might wish to follow their passion and start a business locally.  For more information, please visit our website by clicking here.

More than 250 exhibitors of the latest products in agriculture, services and equipment can be found in the tented city, along with an expanded antique display where working and static exhibits feature everything from restored antique tractors and equipment to small farm tools and other farm related items. 

What you don’t want to miss is our 60 X 40 foot Hastings County tent providing a glimpse of the work done by our Harvest Hastings initiative.  As we did last year, again we will feature  about a dozen local products found right here in our County.

Hastings County Economic Development Manager Andrew Redden indicates that in the past, the tent featured displays from nearby municipalities, but inspired by a similar feature at the Royal Winter Fair, he adds, the decision was made to feature the growers themselves.  “Harvest Hastings assists the agricultural industry on a county level,” he says, “showing what’s in our own back yard.”

For more information about this historic and popular event, visit the official website at http://www.hastingsfarmshow.com

Matt and Karen Caruana grow a wide variety of herbs such as Calendula, which they use to produce herbal teas and creams

It is summer and the bugs are out in force.  If you are wanting a natural solution, there’s a creative new bug spray made right here in Hastings County.

Karen and Matt Caruana of Porcupine Creek Farm near Stirling make an organic bug repellent spray known as “Canadian Bush Spray”.  It is made from witch hazel and essential oils such as citronella, yarrow, rosemary and other ingredients that are not harmful to the skin or the environment.

Their spray and other products are sold at various locations around our region including the Marmora Farmers’ Market.  Otherwise, you can learn more, including their new sunscreen, by visiting them online at porcupinecreekfarm.ca

The Peterson Trail is full of rugged looping trails roaming through hardwood forests of sugar maple, beech and oak.  It borders several wetlands including marshes and black spruce swamps.  The Three Vista Loop is 6.2 KM long and offers three impressive views to the North, East and West.  No motorized vehicles are permitted on Peterson Trail.

Thanks to the work of our Enterprise Facilitator Darcelle Runciman, this business is up and running and looking forward to a successful future here in our region. 

To learn more about this new company, check out their website at www.granicreteontario.ca

If you have a background in food processing and are interested in developing a new business in Hastings, please contact Andrew Redden at reddena@hastingscounty.com  to discuss further.

Janice has been working with Darcelle Runciman and the Hastings County Enterprise Facilitation program and has since increased her marketing efforts with a new website built by U-Marketing and re-branded her business. Mindful Journey has been building a greater connection with the local community by hosting many events, workshops and programs, all of which can be found on their website – www.mindfuljourney.ca.

As a Certified Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master, Janice is guided by a strict Code of Ethics to ensure all sessions are conducted with the highest level of integrity, healing and spirituality possible in order to assist others discover inner peace and knowledge. The ultimate goal is to empower clients to bring about a more balanced life.

Janice encourages individuals, as well as groups, organizations and workplaces, to consider hosting a workshop with Mindful Journey. Stress Management and Positive Thinking are just two options for busy workplaces. Do you belong to a support group? How about a seminar on how hypnosis, meditation and positive thought processing can assist your group reach their goals.

On behalf of Hastings County, we would like to congratulate Janice and Mindful Journey on their recent success and work with the Enterprise Facilitation program.

“This expanded Broadband service within the County of Hastings will provide access to important economic and social benefits including improved health care and educational services across the County. This project is an important step in ensuring that all of our residents have access to affordable and reliable high-speed Internet services, contributing to our strong and vibrant community where our member municipalities can grow and businesses can thrive,” states Jo-Anne Albert, Warden of Hastings County.

Local launches of the project will be held June 9 in Tweed, June 10 in Tyendinaga Township and June 14 in Stirling. These Open House events will provide information on the project and local Xplornet dealers will be present to provide detailed coverage and service information.  Details will be available at www.hastingscounty.com.

This is the first of two ongoing broadband programs within the County. The second program is the Eastern Ontario Regional Broadband Network (EORN). This key project of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus includes the establishment of a Transport/Backbone Fibre Ring and subsequently additional Broadband Access. This multi-year program is expected to begin implementation in 2011, and will allow more affordable broadband deployment throughout Eastern Ontario. More information on this project can be found at www.eowc.org.