Rural Communities Development Fund

Habitat for Humanity provides safe, decent, affordable housing for low income working families. Kate Arnold, chair of family selection and partnering said, “At this non-profit, everybody is a volunteer except for the store manager.”

That’s why the possibility of funding an internship position through the Rural Communities Development Fund (RCDF) was so exciting for the nine-year-old North Simcoe group.

“We were concerned as an organization that people didn’t know what we’re about. There’s a misconception that we give away homes, which isn’t true. Homeowners are carefully screened and must contribute 500 hours of sweat equity to their home,” Arnold explained. “We wanted to educate the public about us and we needed to analyze our strengths and weaknesses and move forward.”

They applied for two employees in the under 30 internship program in order to address two areas.. “First we wanted to identify weaknesses and strengths and how it affected our supporters and volunteers.” They also considered community engagement and wanted to investigate Facebook, Twitter and a website and newsletter. “We needed to be brought up to date, a lot of our board is not familiar with social media.”

“The second component was to raise awareness and to fundraise for our fifth home.” A build depends on available land and sufficient funds. “Our biggest challenge is land. We don’t know where the fifth home will be built yet.”

The application for funds through the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation was successful and Habitat for Humanity hired two local women, Amanda Olsheskie and Danielle Desroches.

“In a very short time they just jumped in and did an incredible job,” Arnold enthused. “They did surveys, kitchen table talks with suppliers and volunteers.” The used social media, a website, brochure and public service announcements on local radio and found new ways to motivate volunteers. “They showed us that social media is a way to whet the appetite of youth and hopefully get them to come to the table and participate.”

They found non-traditional ways, like participating in a local lip synch contest, to raise Habitat for Humanity’s profile in the community. “Their presence in the community was very strong and the networking was very valuable. We found potential partners and leads on land through their efforts. In the lip synch contest we won as best spirit. They really stirred the pot. They went beyond traditional, but it’s all good visibility.”

The pair also organized and launched a raffle featuring a $3000 travel voucher grand prize with a lofty fundraising goal of $25,000.

Arnold said Habitat for Humanity learned valuable lessons. “They increased our visibility, gave us leadership to do new things, mended strained relationships and gave our volunteers recognition. We also learned we need to communicate more with our volunteers and supporters, to keep them in the loop, keep them informed and they want more opportunities to help.”

Thrilled with the results, Arnold said it would have been impossible without the RCDF grant. “They did a very impressive job and ultimately it would have been wonderful to hire them full time but we don’t have the resources,” Arnold said. “It was an exceptional experience. We wouldn’t have attempted it without the funding. We just don’t have volunteers with that skill set. We’d do it again for sure if the opportunity was available.”

She pointed out the grants also benefited the interns, building their skills and experience. “No one wants to hire someone without experience so this was great for them too and it will go a long way in their careers.” The Rural Communities Development Fund was made possible through the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev).

 

Huronia Foundation for the Arts

A little goes a long way.

The Huronia Foundation for the Arts (HFA) successfully received a local initiatives grant from the Rural Communities Development Fund (RCDF), administered by the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation.

HFA’s communications consultant and member Bev Hanna said the grant vastly improved the group’s communications efforts with a new Adobe software package and computer hard drive. “I’ve been working for a long time with outdated software to create a communications network and website,” Hanna said. “I knew I needed to update it as it kept crashing and it was really frustrating.” However she said she simply couldn’t afford the necessary software.

With upgraded Photoshop for website image manipulation, Dream Weaver and Acrobat to create interactive pdf files for forms and applications, the software streamlines the whole process. “It will allow for faster communications with membership forms, art show applications, applications for our outreach program that puts art in non-traditional locations all on-line. Musicians could apply for spots in our gala, even grant applications could be online. It’s streamlining our communications, making it easier and faster for people to interact with us and to get their message out.”

Interactive files solve incompatibility problems meaning users need not even download the form, merely fill them out on-line and submit it electronically. The new hard drive keeps HFA material portable and separate from Hanna’s material. “I can unplug it and take it over to Pat [HFA office manager Pat Robinson]. It’s invaluable. I just love it.”

While still working on a long learning curve Hanna has already noticed a huge difference. “I’ve been frustrated. I was trying to do more than my software was capable of. Instead of taking two days for a newsletter now I can do it in three or four hours and I can keep the events on our website calendar updated almost daily. Increasingly people are looking to our calendar for arts events because it’s the most complete in the area.”

She said, “It would have been difficult without the grant. Thank you very much to the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation. It’s always good news that there are funds available, particularly for a non-profit group.” She said money such as the RCDF grants is perfect for the ‘wouldn’t it be nice’ items not covered by other funding.

Huronia Foundation for the Arts is an arts support group that formally came to life in fall 2007. “Our mandate is to support and develop arts in the area. We were formed to provide some of the services to artists who don’t know how or don’t want to do it for themselves such as marketing and promotions. We want to educate artists in how to make their work more visible, to make it easier to sell their work,” Hanna explained. “A large part of what we’re doing is communication, communication with the media, between artists, between groups. It’s a cross pollination that happens when they meet and talk about their art form [music, visual arts or performing] and set sparks off each other.”

HFA helped revive the Georgian Bay Musicians Association and organize a brand new fall studio tour. Hanna said while they didn’t initiate the tour the foundation assisted by pulling the various elements together and increasingly businesses and restaurants are recognizing the benefits of a strong arts community. “The arts make a huge impact on the economics of the area and improve the quality of life here,” Hanna said. “The new cultural centre [that is underway] can help attract more doctors, business and industry.”

The Rural Communities Development Fund was made possible through the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev).

K.B. Tool & Machine Inc.

Finding ways to stay competitive and coming up with capital is key, says Mike Robinson, co-owner of K.B. Tool & Machine Inc. in Penetanguishene.

Skills development funding from the Rural Communities Development Fund (RCDF) solved both those problems for the long time metal stamping and die company originally started by Klaus Bergmann in 1974.

Robinson said, “We were able to purchase new software to program and run our CNC (computer numerical control) milling machines.” KB was also able to train programming staff to use the new software.

Robinson said the new software is vital to the company. “It allows us to program more complex shapes and parts and machine them more efficiently and faster.” He explained the software not only calculates and decides the quickest way to machine the complex parts, but will also run full simulations. “It’s a huge help. Some parts can run for 10 hours to finish cutting. If you can find a way to run it in six or seven hours it’s a huge cost saving and it allows us to take on more complex parts.”

K.B. Tool & Machine builds stamping dies and machines primarily for the automotive market but also for clients such as Franke Kindred, Napoleon Fireplaces and others. Manufacturers are now frequently requiring three-dimensional parts rather than two-dimensional flat plates and the new software helps ensure the company can keep its current clients satisfied as well as explore other potential customers.

With such complex and rapidly changing technology it’s tough for companies to keep up. “If we’re not able to keep upgraded with new technology it’s tough to stay competitive.” However those upgrades are costly. “These days funding for business is difficult to come by, especially in the manufacturing area.”

Robinson had been researching federal funding when he received a valuable email from Community Link about the RCDF grants. “At an information meeting at the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation with a question and answer session I could see it suited us perfectly.” He said it was a smooth process with a straight forward application and the prompt payment of funds was a bonus as he and co-owner Tom Haubert noted in other programs the company has had to wait months or even years to receive payment.

Robinson was particularly pleased that the program was locally administered. “It’s money in the community, administered by people from the community, who live in the community, work in the community and know the community. They are most equipped to judge the needs of the community as opposed to an anonymous person in a government office far away making decisions. That closeness, keeping it within the community is so important, there’s less chance of waste.” Robinson said the funding covered 50 per cent of the total cost of the project so, “We have an investment too, we’re both involved.”

He praised the Rural Communities Development Fund program and hopes to see it repeated again. “It’s definitely a worthwhile experience and I hope it will continue and there will be access to this type of funding in the future.”

The Rural Communities Development Fund was made possible through the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev).

La Clé d'la Baie

The French language community radio station in Penetanguishene is riding ‘a new wave’ thanks to a grant from the Rural Communities Development Fund made available through the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation (NSCFDC).

Suzanne Roy, manager of sales and sponsorship at La Clé d’la Baie and team leader for the new Vague FM 88,1 (‘wave’ in French), said the grant was very important to them.

With the funding they hired a young intern, Alexandre Lehoux, to help with the radio station’s transformation. Originally from Quebec , Lehoux had moved to the area looking to learn and when he applied Roy said he was the perfect fit for the program.

Lehoux enthusiastically embraced the opportunities presented to him. “He is very talented with great customer service skills,” Roy said. “Alexandre helped us promote and prepare for our new launch. He came to committee meetings to understand the whole dynamic of the radio station, the vision and planning. He compiled computerized lists of clients and contacts, helped us with the new logo, banners and other promotional items, researched prices and dealt with companies, prepared the invitations to the launch, anything promotional so we were ready to go. He’s done so much.”

Lehoux also trained as an on-air host and produced ads for the station and even started to write and record local news. “He learned about music, production, hosting, journalism, quite a bit in a short time,” Roy said. Lehoux is working as a part time journalist and is now a producer at the radio station with his own afternoon show. “I’m very proud to have someone so strong in our radio station.”

She said Vague FM and La Clé d’la Baie is extremely thankful for the funding. “We’re non-profit and the funding makes a big difference when you’re trying to make a difference. It’s a big county and it is a big challenge to reach across the county. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without the funding.”

Roy said they are a very small team and it takes a large team effort to reach out to all of Simcoe County . “We are a community radio station and it’s very difficult to get funding. To add someone for a couple of months made a very big difference, it was very successful for us.” The grant was vital to their success, but Roy also credits NSCFDC and its staff for their support. “Lois Irvine is amazing. Their organization has been awesome for us and keeps us alive. They are a great resource in our community for us and many other organizations.”

She said thanks to their assistance, “We’re exactly where we wanted to be.” Where they want to be is the new Vague FM 88,1, a refreshed Francophone community radio station. “We are not commercial so we are very different and our vision is different. We are much closer to the community.”

The radio station is just one sector of La Clé d’la Baie, a French organization providing services to all of Simcoe County including employment, children’s services, social services and cultural activities. “Our mission is to promote participation of members of our community to live their culture, to keep it vibrant, to keep it going and develop it and to fight for our rights also. We want to make the quality of life for Francophones better,” Roy said.

To learn more about the activities and services of La Clé d’la Baie log on to www.lacle.ca or www.vaguefm.ca to find out more about the radio station.

The Rural Communities Development Fund was made possible through the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev).

Town of Penetanguishene

 

Thanks to the Rural Communities Development Fund downtown Penetanguishene is blooming – ahead of schedule. Community development coordinator Wendy Cousineau said, “We are about six months to a year ahead of where we would have been without the funding. We are very fortunate.”

The Town of Penetanguishene used the RCDF grant to hire intern Michelle Gillesby who tackled a number of projects, researching options, forging partnerships, gathering sponsorships and addressing business and community concerns.

“One of the criteria for the internship was it had to be a local person,” Cousineau explained. “It was a huge building block for communication. It really added to the communication aspect as she had connections already.”

“Her first role was to contact local businesses for feedback and get their input with a survey,” Cousineau said. From that the town was able to build an electronic distribution list for effective communications. “Of 125 surveyed, about 80 provided emails. One of our main concerns was lack of communication and the funding really moved us forward.” Cousineau said they developed and distribute a downtown improvement newsletter and forward the monthly town information pages electronically. “We can easily advise them of provincial programs available, workshops and seminars, information from the county and tourism information about upcoming events.”

Another focus was the town’s downtown beautification plans. Cousineau said the municipality purchases 40 hanging flower baskets annually, but actually has space for 73. “It was great to be able to have someone specifically speaking to business and get their feedback and it really helped build sponsorship for our hanging baskets.” Gillesby quickly and successfully gathered the additional 33 basket sponsors.” She also organized planting, watering and other maintenance with some non-traditional partners including the horticultural committee and volunteers. “With a municipally driven program there’s only so much you can do and it won’t work if you don’t have the buy-in of the entire community.” She pointed to the pride aspect. “You have done this for your community and you embrace it a lot quicker as well.”

Having an intern focused on the program allowed for dedicated research on other items such as benches investigating suppliers, recycled options, green initiatives and cost comparisons. “We could make it a priority and move it forward. We’re now looking at benches and rest stops. We have a unique topography – we have a big hill – and we want to encourage active living but we need to provide places to relax for a few minutes, with nice resting places as a way to bring the community back to our main street.”

Another project being explored is decorative downtown seasonal lighting featuring images such as snowflakes and boats as well as customized banners. “Last year businesses held a fall fashion show with proceeds to beautification. We’re now looking at customized banners for the downtown area,” Cousineau said. “There’s definitely a buy-in by the community with that type of program.”

She was very excited by potential projects made possible by the internship funding. “Michelle was able to help us develop each piece, then lay it out and go out to the community. It’s very exciting.”

Cousineau is enthusiastic about the RCDF program and the support of the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation that oversaw the program. “When you see the results it would have been an absolute shame not to have had this money.”

The Rural Communities Development Fund was made possible through the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev).

TV + Plus with Judy Inc.

What’s in a name? Everything – or nothing, if it doesn’t really represent what you do.

Judy Scott Welden started TV+Plus with Judy Inc. in 1998, helping large food industry manufacturers spread the word about healthy eating, creating public service announcements, TV vignettes and a televised cooking show.

However she said today’s technology has changed so rapidly it’s easy to be left behind. “With the advances in technology and with consumers spending more time on line our business model needed to change. Companies are communicating with consumers on line now. We needed to change what we offered, change our look and maybe even the name of our company.”

Successfully obtaining a business development grant she hired a consultant to examine and evaluate and refocus the business. “It was a big benefit to our business. It has helped us be in line with digital and social networks and redefine our business from a promotion company to a communications company.”

It’s now been rebranded as two divisions – Welden Scott Communications and Welden Scott Digital Communications with a new website at www.weldenscott.ca . She said, “We spent hours and hours evaluating our business, looking at other businesses, the change in world technology, evaluating our strengths and weaknesses to grow. Our objective was to continue to operate our business here. This is our home and we want to continue to work and live here.”

Reinventing the business was impossible without the funding. “It’s a real gift. It’s definitely not something we could have tackled without the funds. It’s such a great opportunity. We just didn’t know how to evaluate ourselves, or be objective in evaluating our business. It’s very exciting.”

After working with large food manufacturers in Toronto and Montreal for years, Scott Welden said she found local businesses and not-for-profit organizations need the same expertise, just on a different scale. Current clients now include Royal Victoria Hospital, a local lamb producer and a marina. “It still fits under the umbrella of communications but we realize we don’t have to limit ourselves to just food manufacturers. It’s something a bit unique but every business needs a communication program to help to increase sales, to find the right tactic to reach consumers.”

Being on-line provides a wealth of opportunities with advertising available around the clock and no borders. “The capabilities are amazing.” It’s time to face the future with a different attitude. “We’re embracing so much that’s new like Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook to see where it fits in a communication plan.” Now her company can help yours through the learning curve to take advantage of new social media tools. “It’s changed so quickly there’s no need to be embarrassed if you don’t know, it’s like learning a brand new language.”

The RCDF experience has been wonderful. “I think it’s fantastic. It’s not very often you get such a great gift. It’s been great for our own business but I hope we can contribute to local business and the local economy. We need more businesses here that are thriving.”

The Rural Communities Development Fund was made possible through the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev).

Weber Manufacturing Technologies Inc.

To succeed in today’s ever-changing global economy it’s vital to keep on top of technology to remain competitive.

Chris Edwards, president of Weber Manufacturing Technologies Inc., said training is vital. “The number of years you’ve been in business doesn’t mean anything for the future any more. It is how you adapt to the future that matters.”

One way this long established local manufacturer adapts is with a very strong focus on continuous improvement and employee training to support new technology.

In 1962 the company started in Windsor and then set up operations in Midland in 1967. It has grown to become an internationally recognized, fully integrated mold manufacturer of automotive interiors and exteriors, aerospace and home and building products. Weber also operates under the trade name ‘MasterGrain’, established in 2008, producing a premium line of fiberglass entry door and sidelite slabs and doorlite frames.

It uses unique technology to reproduce authentic fine surface detail such as leather or elegant cherry wood grain. “We operate the world’s largest Nickel Vapour Deposition (NVD) facility. It’s the only one in the world like this,” Edwards explained. “We can take almost any natural wood grain and replicate the grain in fiberglass.” Patented Weber Grain Technology is used to create the most authentic wood replication in today’s door industry. Tools made using NVD nickel shells offer flexible design options and critical advantages simply not available with any other tool-making technology. Learn more at www.webermfg.ca and www.mastergrain.com .

With this type of innovative technology Edwards said training is required for growth and maintaining competitiveness in the marketplace. He said they were thrilled to receive Rural Communities Development Fund grants from the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation and put the money to good use improving its engineering design. Weber purchased new design software and trained employees to make the most of its potential. Although targeted directly at 11 design employees, the funds reach throughout the company’s 133 employees. “Indirectly all Weber employees benefit from this funding because as the design group improves their skills, new developments and innovation will flow out to the shop floor where many other employees will learn and develop from new techniques and ideas.”

It all supports the company’s ability to deliver lower cost, higher quality molds to the global markets. Located in Midland, Weber has to fight hard to remain competitive in the international markets. “Skills development is critical to our competitiveness and growth. Employee training to support innovation and development should be a goal for any Ontario-based company wishing to be competitive in today’s marketplace.” Training is a top priority and taking advantage of available grants such as the RCDF is essential. While welcome, those dollars are only a small piece of the pie – for every $1 in funding Weber receives they invest an additional $2 in training expenses.

Edwards said 2009 was good and this year is starting off well, however while Canadian markets are moving well, much of Weber’s business is tied to the United States and Europe. “Weber is an export company,” he pointed out, with 91 percent of its products sold in the United States and Europe.

Staying competitive in the volatile international market is key to the company’s success and they appreciated the support provided by the North Simcoe Communities Future Development Corporation.

The Rural Communities Development Fund was made possible through the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev).

Zero Waste Simcoe Inc.

Critical is how Sandy Agnew describes funding Zero Waste Simcoe Inc. received from the Rural Communities Development Fund (RCDF) through the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation.

The grant was used to reveal hundreds of potential jobs that could be created if Simcoe County became a zero waste jurisdiction.

Agnew is one of Zero Waste’s directors and he said the funds were essential to proving the point. “It was critical. There’s no way we could have possibly done this without these funds. It was beyond our reach. It was an opportunity we were able to take advantage of and hire someone to do this.”

After their successful application, Zero Waste hired LURA Consulting to research jurisdictions in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Texas, California, Australia and other areas and demonstrate potential local employment areas.

“One of the arguments for zero waste, apart from resource and cost savings is that there will be jobs created,” Agnew said. “We found the job potential in Simcoe County to be 220 to 400 net new employment opportunities if the county went with a zero waste philosophy.” Jobs could be created in everything from new product development and design to resource recovery and transportation. Details can be found on www.zerowastesimcoe.org

Agnew stressed a zero waste approach is not a technique, but rather a waste management philosophy which emulates the sustainable natural cycle with discards becoming resources for other users. “When Site 41 was cancelled we approached the county about going in this direction, trying to influence them to consider zero waste as the preferred option.” This approach requires a shift in thinking and a shift in responsibility, making the producer responsible for disposal of the product at the end of its life cycle. “Use the components to make something else. Designing for the environment means it can be dismantled and recovered.”

Called extended producer responsibility Agnew admits zero waste requires government legislation at all levels. However, “Once committed, people will see it’s very viable and totally doable. Nobody wants a landfill, nobody wants an incinerator. There is very little that can’t be designed to be recycled and reused.”

Zero Waste’s action committee has distributed cloth bags at area stores and worked with the Elmvale Fall Fair to make it a zero waste event showing the concept can be easily implemented.

It takes time for an idea to move from speculation through acceptance to being embraced. Agnew said the report funded by the RCDF grant gives validity to the idea and will go a long way to helping people see its potential. Zero Waste is using it at deputations to all local municipalities and Agnew sees it becoming the new norm, much like cloth shopping bags. “Everyone feels guilty if they haven’t got one now.”

Unlike some funds, Agnew said the RCDF application process was not onerous, important when a volunteer run organization seeks funds. “There’s a limit to what volunteers can do, what you can ask them to do. Being able to hire someone to do this, it’s something we would never have been able to do on our own.”

The Rural Communities Development Fund was made possible through the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario (FedDev).

 

 

 

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