Leeds Grenville Economic Development had a Sell-out Crowd on Friday

KEMPTVILLE – The Leeds Grenville 15th Anniversary Economic Development Summit attracted a sell-out capacity crowd of business and political leaders last Friday, November 17th.

The event featured keynote speakers, special presentations and business panels. The Bill Thake Memorial Award for Economic Development Leadership (Warden’s Award) was also presented.

“We are invested in this region’s economy,” Warden Nancy Peckford said to the Summit’s 216 attendees at Kemptville’s North Grenville Municipal Centre. It is great to see businesses, organizations, elected officials and representatives from all 13 Leeds Grenville municipalities, she said.

“As leaders of this region, it is more important than ever to be strategic in our partnerships and in our support of each other,” the Warden said.

“The future focus of the Counties includes investment in human services, strengthening support of hard infrastructure and sustainable growth, while facilitating and promoting the increase in the supply of all accommodation types,” she said.

Minister of Labour:

A keynote address from the Honourable David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, was a highlight of the day-long summit. The Minister discussed progress on the plan to build a stronger Ontario for all workers.

Officials from Leclerc Foods, one of Canada’s leading food manufacturers, started off the day’s presentations outlining their $100-million expansion over five years at their
Brockville facility.

Representatives from Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, located in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands, discussed how the operation has come out of the pandemic and is moving forward once again as a leader in tourism and hospitality.

Warden’s Award:

The prestigious Warden’s Award was earned by Joe Hudson of Burnbrae Farms. Accepting the award were two of Mr. Hudson’s daughters – Margaret, President of Burnbrae, and Sue, Director of Communications and Digital Marketing.

About 80 years ago, a teenage Joe Hudson bought some laying hens for a high school project. This small venture would eventually transform the Burnbrae Farms original dairy and crop-based family farm into one of the largest egg and egg-product producers in Canada. Mr. Hudson, now retired, spent more than 75 years building the award-winning company that is also one of the Canada Best Managed Companies (Platinum Level).

The nominees for the Thake Award for their community leadership include Susan Alford, Township of Rideau Lakes; Judi Baril, Township of Augusta; Shelley Mitchell, Municipality of North Grenville, and Terry Wills of Rideau Lakes.

The Summit is hosted by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Economic Development Office in partnership with Michael Barrett, M.P., Steve Clark, M.P.P., the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board and the 1000 Islands, Grenville and Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Corporations.

Other Highlights of the Day:

• 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways – Building an Appetite for Culinary Tourism, A Panel Discussion featuring four Leeds Grenville businesses
• Planning for our Future Infrastructure – Brian Lennie, Specialist, Economic Development ENBRIDGE GAS INC.
• Preparing for Our Aging Community – Doug Struthers, Chair of the Maple View Lodge Redevelopment Project Fundraising Committee; Jen Powley, Administrator, Maple View Lodge | Director, Maple View Landings Redevelopment
• 15th Anniversary Review and “What’s Ahead” presentation by Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager.

“I’m so proud of the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office team for hosting an outstanding, sold-out 15th Annual Summit celebration,” said Ann Weir, Counties Economic Development Manager.

“This summit is known as ‘the business event of the year’ with its outstanding presenters and top business and municipal leaders coming together to share what’s ahead and the
opportunities,” she said.