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Category: BAC, Category: Media Release

Eight Local Small Businesses Receive Micro-Grants Through Starter Company Program

By Christine Drage
Eight business owners standing in a line holding a giant starter Company Plus cheque . (L-R, Vanessa Bruce, Ineke Turner, Lisa Mace, Jena Trimble, Kate Griffin, Lisa Burkitt, Jacquelyn Craft, Nathan Truax)

[PETERBOROUGH, ON, December 12, 2022]: Today, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) awarded the largest number of micro-grants to date to local small businesses to further support sustainable business growth. Eight businesses in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County were each presented with $5000 in funding that was made possible through the Government of Ontario’s Starter Company Plus Program. 

Twelve small business entrepreneurs successfully completed the five-week Starter Company Plus online business training course offered by the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre (BAC). Based on the strength of their business plan and business pitch, the following businesses were each awarded a micro-grant: 

Jacquelyn Craft, The Neighbourhood Vintage bio and social channels
Lisa Mace, ECO Cabin bio
Ineke Turner, Turner and Pooch bio and social channels
Nathan Truax, Truax Leather Co bio and social channels
Lisa Burkitt, Burkitt's Gardening & Home Services bio and social channels
Kate Griffin, Mental Wealth Counselling bio and social channels
Jena Trimble, Zen Home and Cottage Cleaning Services bio and social channeks
Vanessa Bruce, Vanessa Bruce Virtual Services bio and social channels

“This intake of the Starter Company Plus program saw many new businesses that were referred from past participants. Now in its fifth year, the program has directly contributed to the growth and development of small businesses in Peterborough & the Kawarthas and has allowed us to support the largest cohort to date.” Said Madeleine Hurrell, Manager of the Business Advisory Centre, who oversees the program for PKED.

In Peterborough & the Kawarthas, we are lucky to have thriving and growing small businesses. We have seen our communities rally around entrepreneurs and small businesses.”

Madeleine Hurrell

Since its launch in 2017, the Starter Company Plus program through the BAC has assisted over 215 local entrepreneurs and more than 174 small businesses. These small businesses have created over 200 jobs in our local economy.  

The Starter Company Plus program is designed to provide business training for entrepreneurs from aspiring to experienced, aged 18 and over in the City and County of Peterborough who are launching a business or expanding an existing business (operating for five years or less). To stay up to date on programs and workshops offered by the BAC, visit www.investptbo.ca/bac 

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Read more: Category: BAC, Category: Media Release