Objective 2
Attract, Grow and Retain, leveraging our mix of urban and rural assets (1/2)
Inquiry Overview
- Food Processing (multiple; inspection, small and large food & beverage processors)
- On-Farm Diversified Use
- Greentech for Agriculture
- Sporting Championship Event Hosting
- Distribution & Logistics (multiple)
- Industrial Building Expansion
- Manufacturing & Technology (Multiple)
- Retail Use
Peterborough & the Kawarthas has seen an increase in investment inquiries in the 2nd half of the year
2022 Business Count Project
Throughout the summer of 2022, PKED conducted the region’s third annual business count. In total, 3345 businesses were counted, and 996 businesses were successfully surveyed, up from the 818 surveyed in 2021. More than 12,000 full-time and 9000 part-time jobs were counted, and the survey accounted for just over 6.5 million square feet of space dedicated to business throughout the region.
A full report on the findings will be shared in early 2023
What has PKED been doing to help businesses grow?
Kawartha Choice Speed Dating Event
The Kawartha Choice Speed Dating Event was hosted at the Holiday Inn in Peterborough to help foster and develop business relationships between 17 producers and 16 buyers. The event brought together chefs, caterers, and restauranteurs to meet local farms and food producers in a lively speed-dating format. Billy Alexander, world-renowned Chef and Director of Programs for the Culinary Tourism Alliance, was the keynote speaker and kicked off the event to highlight the importance of building a local food system.
Supporting tourism businesses
PKT partnered with the Tourism Innovation Lab on the Peterborough & the Kawarthas “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program and GMIST’s LIFT Program to support tourism operators in developing eight new and innovative tourism experiences. These programs foster new tourism ideas, supporting operators in enhancing current offerings, addressing gaps or challenges, and increasing year-round visits in the region.
Green Economy Peterborough Membership Drive Support
PKED continues to support Green Economy Peterborough and its efforts to build a local network of businesses focussed on green and sustainable business practices. A new video has been created to support the upcoming membership drive, in partnership with PTBOCanada.
Circular Economy Initiative
The City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, together with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), was accepted to the Circular Cities & Regions Initiative Peer-to-Peer Network Initiative (CCRI). Ten communities across Canada will complete an immersive year of circular economy knowledge sharing, opportunity identification, and action planning. Community leaders learn and share best practices for implementing circular economy strategies and policies through this prestigious network.
Highlighting Local Employers
Over the second half of 2022, PKED featured business success stories through blogs, videos, and sector profiles. Two Peterborough businesses were featured in Employer Profiles through the Pathways to Prosperity program to promote careers with local employers. New updated profiles have been uploaded onto the industry sector pages, written by local writer Paul Rellinger.
Hosted holiday pop-up shop at Visitor Centre
On December 8th, 2022, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism hosted a Holiday Pop Up Shop in our Visitor Centre with Peterborough Museum & Archives and Indigenously Infused (a SPARK program participant). The Edison Café in the lobby of Venture North also participated in the Pop-Up Shop by offering free hot drinks. The Holiday Pop-Up Shop saw 57 people in the Visitor Centre. Vendor sales were positive, and many people could collect Holiday Passport Stamps.