Explore our latest blog posts, Invest Barrie Quarterly newsletters, and Creative Barrie Culture Pop newsletters. The Invest Barrie Quarterly newsletter provides the latest Barrie economic news and the Creative Barrie Culture Pop newsletter keeps you informed about what’s going on in Barrie’s arts and culture community.
World Tourism Day 2025
September 26, 2025 | Happy World Tourism Day, Barrie! This year’s United Nations theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” aligns with our city’s vision - where tourism is more than leisure; it’s a powerful engine for sustainable economic growth and community development.
Top 5 Reasons to Check-out Culture Days!
September 22, 2025 | From Friday, September 19 through Sunday, October 12, 2025, explore everything Barrie’s arts and culture community has to offer. This year’s programming is inclusive, accessible, free (or pay-what-you-can), hands-on, educational, and community-building. Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture, where millions of people attend thousands of free, hands-on events across Canada.
Culture Pop! September 2025
September 5, 2025 | In this issue: Culture Days is Coming; Doors Open Barrie Invites You Inside; Don't miss the Final Troubadour Festival Concert of the Year, featuring the Culture Crawl; Don't miss our Fall Culture Night Out; Call for Venues that are Available for Events!
40 Years of Craftsmanship with Barrie Trim & Mouldings Inc.
September 4, 2025 | This year marks a major milestone for Barrie Trim & Mouldings Inc. as it celebrates 40 years of proudly serving Barrie and area’s building community. What began as a modest 1,000 sq. ft. retail shop has grown into a state-of-the-art facility and a trusted provider for custom home builders, renovators, and skilled tradespeople seeking quality materials and expert advice. We sat down with company president Lee Whitaker to reflect on their remarkable journey, their impact across the region, and what’s next for this Barrie-based success story.
Creative Barrie’s Summer Student Farewell
August 27, 2025 | Working alongside the Cultural Development Officer and Public Art Coordinator within Barrie’s Economic and Creative Development department, I’ve explored a wide range of administrative and research roles throughout my four-month placement. From representing Creative Barrie at the Codrington Fun Fair to developing creative sector resource toolkits, I’ve had an event-packed summer here at the City of Barrie!
Becky Kurtz’s Passion Grows Into a Company
August 27, 2025 | Becky Kurtz completed the Starter Company Plus program five years ago. Since then, she has continued to advance her business, Aspire Services, after learning key principles and building a strong business network during her time in the program. Becky created Aspire Services to support neurodiverse youth, adolescents, and adults develop key life skills and celebrate the important wins in life! Recently, we sat down with Becky to learn more about her experiences participating in the Starter Company Plus Program and why she chose to pursue her business in the City of Barrie.
Barrie’s “Seeds to Sow” Exhibition Wins International Recognition
August 26, 2025 | Creative Barrie is proud to announce that its Seeds to Sow Exhibition has received a Silver Award in the Neighborhood Development category from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This honour recognizes projects that spark revitalization and growth within communities—something Seeds to Sow has achieved through creativity, collaboration, and cultural engagement.
Not Just a Pretty Place: The Economic Power of Strategic Tourism
August 20, 2025 | A stunning waterfront with 10+ km of shoreline, bustling patios, active sports fields, and vibrant events—Barrie is a four-season destination with a rapidly growing positive reputation. But behind the scenic views is a high-performing economic engine that is attracting both visitors and investors.
Culture Pop! August 2025
August 12, 2025 | In this issue: Call for First Floor Gallery Exhibitions; Nominations are now being accepted for the Barrie Arts Awards; Busking Season is Here; Register Your Programming for Culture Days; Save the Date for Doors Open Barrie; Meet the 2025 Emerging Artists; Volunteer with Theatre by the Bay and Submit your Event Listings to Barrie.ca.
Invest Barrie’s First-Time Experience at BIO 2025
August 6, 2025 | As this summer continues to fly by, read Senior Business Innovation & Strategic Partnerships Officer, Sarah Young's reflection on representing the City of Barrie at our very first BIO International Convention in Boston. Learn about why BIO 2025 was a game-changing experience that left her with her eyes wide open, mind racing with possibilities, and handfuls of business cards with new connections and friends.
Meet our Small Business Centre's 2025 Summer Companies!
July 24, 2025 | Our Small Business Centre Team is excited to introduce this year’s students and their Summer Companies! Each year, the Summer Company program empowers young entrepreneurs age 15 to 29 by providing them with the resources and support they need to start and run their own summer businesses...
Culture Pop! Special Notice
July 22, 2025 | In this issue: Nominations are open for the Barrie Arts Awards!
Music Sector Meetups Bring Local Music Industry Professionals Together
July 17, 2025 | On Wednesday June 25th Creative Barrie hosted the first Music Sector Meetup – an evening for music industry professionals to come together, share ideas, and reimagine Barrie’s music scene...
40 Years of Innovation: Busch Systems in Barrie
June 27, 2025 | This year marks a major milestone for Busch Systems—40 years of innovation, sustainability, and driving change in the waste and recycling industry. What began as one student’s idea to improve a local recycling program has now grown into an international company in sustainable container solutions. We had the honour to speak with Craig Busch, President and CEO of Busch Systems, to discuss the company’s inspirational journey of growth, giving back, and thinking big.
Photo credit to Nat Caron Photography.
Culture Pop! June 2025
June 26, 2025 | In this issue: Call for Culture Days Activity Providers; Call for Sites to Participate in Doors Open Barrie; Busking Season is Here; Audition for Simcoe Contemporary Dancers; Calling all Youth Filmmakers; Enroll in Georgian College's Museum and Gallery Studies Program; Apply now to play VENUExVENUE; and Submit your Event Listings to Barrie.ca.
20 Years of SuiteWorks: Building Community Through Coworking in Barrie
June 25, 2025 | With a dream of encouraging flexibility, networking, and collaboration for entrepreneurs, SuiteWorks has become a pivotal resource for businesses in Barrie. This year, they are celebrating their 20th anniversary–an exciting and momentous accomplishment for their team. To honour this remarkable milestone, we sat down with Kerri Diggle, president of SuiteWorks, to explore their humble beginnings, dedication to business development, and longstanding endeavors in supporting Barrie’s economic community.
June 2025: Invest Barrie Quarterly
June 16, 2025 | In this issue: Mayor Nuttall Thanks Local Manufacturers and Businesses for Choosing Barrie; Development Updates; Featured ICI Properties; Barrie's Economic Outlook; City Invites Local Businesses and Employers to Take Part in Survey; Nominations Open for the Mayor's Innovation Awards; Invest Barrie Strengthens Ties with Germany; Invest Barrie Attends CANSEC; Celebrating 85 Years of Barrie Press; and Community Updates.
From Ink to Impact: Celebrating 85 Years of Barrie Press
June 3, 2025 | Eighty-five years ago, a small local newspaper print shop opened its doors in Barrie with a simple mission: to deliver quality craftsmanship and reliable service to its community. Today, that same company stands as a cornerstone of Barrie’s business landscape, having grown and evolved alongside the very industry it helped shape. In celebration of this remarkable milestone, we sat down with one of the company’s longest-serving team members, CEO Peter Madden, to explore the rich history behind the presses, the changes in the print industry over the decades, and the enduring legacy of Barrie Press.
Meet the 2025 Business and Employer Data Survey Team
June 2, 2025 | It’s that time again! Barrie’s 2025 Annual Business and Employer Data Survey has officially begun. Each year, this survey helps us get a clearer picture of our local economy. This summer, we have four bright students who make up the Business and Employer Data Survey team. You’ll see them out and about, visiting and surveying businesses across Barrie. If they stop by your business, make sure to give them a warm welcome!
TIFT celebrates 20+ years of theatrical excellence in Barrie
May 26, 2025 | Barrie is the proud home of the talented community at Talk is Free Theatre and the City congratulates them on their recent achievements at this year’s Toronto Theatre Critic Awards.
Culture Pop! Special Edition
May 22, 2025 | In this issue: Calling all Musicians to the Troubadour Festival Local Openers Showcase!
Celebrating Economic Development Week - A Month in The Life
May 14, 2025 | As a Senior Business Innovation & Strategic Partnerships Officer, I see Economic Development Week as a moment to reflect on the why behind what I do here at Invest Barrie and the how our department helps build thriving communities through innovation and entrepreneurship. Learn more about what I do in my role, as I take you through a month in my professional life.
Celebrating Economic Development Week
May 13, 2025 | Every year, Economic Development Week gives us the chance to shine a spotlight on the work we do behind the scenes at Invest Barrie to foster growth, support businesses, and build a thriving, connected community.
Seeds to Sow: Barrie’s First Large-Scale Exhibition of Temporary Site-Specific Public Art
May 12, 2025 | Six months ago, the City of Barrie closed its first large-scale exhibition of temporary site-specific public art. Seeds to Sow was organized by the city and was on display September 28 to November 8, 2024. The exhibition featured 6 artists and displayed 6 unique art installations as well as a satellite exhibition at the MacLaren Art Centre. Thanks to support from Invest Barrie, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF) and seventeen local sponsors, this exhibition and its programs were free to the public and marketed to audiences within Barrie and beyond, targeting the Barrie-Toronto corridor and the GTA.
Celebrating International Sculpture Day
April 25, 2025 | This year, April 26th is International Sculpture Day (ISDay). This day of celebration is a global event spearheaded by the International Sculpture Center. The goal of ISDay is to help people learn more about sculpture, and to acknowledge the important contributions of this artform to our culture and society. Barrie is proud to be home to a number of stunning and engaging public art sculptures – and our next big art installation is coming soon!
Culture Pop! Special Edition
April 23, 2025 | In this issue: Congratulations to the Recipients of the 2025 Arts & Culture Investment Program!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Susanna MacMillan
April 15, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the Government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with last fall. Meet Susanna MacMillan and Closet Crush!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Uche Onyekpe
April 15, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the Government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with last fall. Meet Uche Onyekpe and Techeccentric!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Patricia Zuniga Serrano
April 15, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with last fall. Meet Patricia Zuniga Serrano and PMZ Bookkeeping!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Thomas Parker
April 15, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the Government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with last fall. Meet Thomas Parker and the Barrie Archery Tag League!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Shelby DeGroot
April 15, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the Government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with last fall. Meet Shelby DeGroot and Hemp+Heart Co!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Tristan Rodriguez
April 15, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the Government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with last fall. Meet Tristan Rodriguez and Stormwood Productions!
April 2025: Culture Pop! Newsletter
April 4, 2025 | In this issue: April is National Poetry Month; The Barrie Public Art Committee is seeking Volunteer Members; The Afro Fusion Fashion Show comes to the Five Points Theatre; Call for Local Art for Traffic Cabinet Wraps; Applications are now open for Summer Company; Digital Marketing 101 Webinar; Call to Artists for the Barrie Arts Awards statuettes design and fabrication; Call to Artists for Artist Designed Mayor’s Innovation Awards Trophy; and the MacLaren Art Centre are hiring and looking for volunteers.
March 2025: Invest Barrie Quarterly
March 28, 2025 | In this issue: Provincial Investment in Barrie Helps Promote Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Development Updates; Featured ICI Properties; Barrie's Economic Overview; City Receives Two Economic Development Awards of Excellence; 2025 Women in Business Award Winners Announced; EBS Global Celebrates Grand Opening; and Community Updates.
StART Making Sense Arts Business Talks
March 17, 2025 | Recently, Invest Barrie sat down with regional artist Sean William Dawson following the soft launch of the 2025 StART Making Sense (SMS) arts business talks series to learn more about the series’ goals, plans and what to expect as they plan for the official series launch later this month.
The Barrie Art Club: A Journey Through Art and Community
March 11, 2025 | The Barrie Art Club is a cornerstone of the visual art scene in Barrie, fostering creativity and nurturing the talents of local artists for the last 75 years. Founded in 1949, the club has grown from a small gathering of passionate individuals to a vibrant community of artists. We recently had the chance to sit down with some Club members to talk about the last 75 years of history, how the Barrie Art Club became the artistic hub it is today!
Culture Pop! Special Edition
February 28, 2025 | In this issue: Open Auditions for the 2025 Emerging Artists Program and Call to Artists for the Brightening Barriers Temporary Installations of Public Art.
Checking in with our 2024 Barrie Arts Awards Winners
February 28, 2025 | Every year, the Barrie Arts Awards celebrates the individuals and organizations that contribute to the arts and culture community. The 2024 Barrie Arts Awards gala took place on Tuesday, November 12, and featured unique performances in addition to the presentation of artist-designed award statuettes to six stand-out individuals. Let’s learn about how it feels to win a Barrie Arts Award and what’s next for our winners!
Celebrate Black History Month
February 12, 2025 | Each February, Canadians celebrate the contributions of Black individuals on the world during Black History Month. In Barrie, that celebration encompasses history, the arts, culture, social justice and business, and often spreads into other months, as Black contributions should be celebrated year-round!
February 2025: Culture Pop! Newsletter
February 7, 2025 | In this issue: Celebrate Black History Month in Barrie; Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 Starter Company Plus Cohort; Brightening Barriers returns in 2025; StART Making Sense - Living in the Arts Panel Discussion; Apply to Perform at Kempenfest; Call for Visual Artists for the Barrie Art Club's Art Blast 2025; Call for Nominations, Artists, and more for the Barrie Art Club's 75th Anniversary Gala; and Check out upcoming opportunities with the Canada Council for the Arts.
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Jessica Tinney
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Jessica Tinney, GalaxyBrain and Menopod!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Kirkland Brown
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Kirkland Brown and Under Dog Visions!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Matthew McMillan
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Matthew McMillan and Shelby Watch Company!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Robert Curran
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Robert Curran and Mobicare Advanced Foot Care!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: White Pines Academy
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet White Pines Academy.
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Jinith Kithalawa Arachchi
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Jinith Kithalawa Arachchi and Keystone Engineering & Design Inc.!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Kyle Popovich
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Kyle Popovich and Popovich Entertainment!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Melodie Sweet
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Melodie Sweet and Behaviour Tech!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Sarah Achtenberg
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Sarah Achtenberg and Achtenberg Design!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Jenna Rossiter
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Jenna Rossiter and Bitters Cocktail Co!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Kara Wardinger
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Kara Wardinger and Pawty Animals!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Marcello Nicolo
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Marcello Nicolo and Automated Shade Solutions Inc.!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Nathan Paquette
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Nathan Paquette and Northern Pros Pressure Washing!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Teresa Smith
February 5, 2025 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Teresa Smith and Simplifeye Optical!
Invest Barrie Wins Five IEDC Awards
January 27, 2025 | Invest Barrie was recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) with five awards during the IEDC Annual Conference held September 17-20 in Dallas, Texas. IEDC's Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year's most influential leaders. These awards honour organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Culture Pop! Special Edition
January 10, 2025 | In this issue: Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Content Marketing Learning Lab; Calling All Musical Performers for Winterfest Programming; and Reminder about the 2025 Arts & Culture Investment Program
Application Deadline.
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Ilayna Harris
December 23, 2024 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Ilayna Harris and Pawsitive Pawz!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Jake Agema
December 23, 2024 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Jake Agema and Addimin!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Emily Blocksdorf
December 20, 2024 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Emily Blocksdorf and Anchors Away Photography!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: David La Costa
December 20, 2024 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet David La Costa and Structured Property Inspections!
December 2024: Invest Barrie Quarterly
December 20, 2024 | In this issue: Lakehead University to Bring STEM Hub to Downtown Barrie; Concierge Programs Aim to Create More Housing and Jobs; Sky Towers Building 928 Rental Units; Barrie to Build New Wastewater Innovation Centre; Read the New Economic Overview for Barrie; Barrie Trade Mission to Germany Aimed at Boosting Economic Ties; Barrie's Top Innovators and Artists Celebrated at Annual Awards; Invest Barrie Attends The Battery Show; and Community Updates.
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Hagop Vanayan
December 20, 2024 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Hagop Vanayan and Mobile Marksmen Corporation!
Highlights from the Award-Winning 2024 Barrie Culture Days
December 17, 2024 | Culture Days is a three-week festival that celebrates arts and culture across Canada. This year, Culture Days took place from September 20 to October 13, 2024 in the City of Barrie. The celebrations were glorious and colourful, and provided community members with access to free and diverse artistic and cultural experiences.
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Ariadna Martinez
December 16, 2024 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Ariadna and Creactive Training!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Brad Ferguson
December 16, 2024 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants. The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Brad Ferguson and Upchuckle!
Starter Company Plus Spotlight: Andrew de Jong
December 16, 2024 | The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall. Meet Andrew and JustSimcoe.ca!
Culture Pop! Special Edition
December 11, 2024 | In this issue: The 2025 Arts & Culture Investment Program is now open; Call for Adjudicators for the Arts & Culture Investment Program; and Arts & Culture Investment Program Information Sessions.
Presenting the 6th Mayor's Innovation Awards Nominees for Creative Collaboration
November 25, 2024 | The Creative Collaboration award recognizes two or more companies or organizations that have forged an alliance and reached new heights or achievements that they couldn't have reached alone. Contributions may be across sectors, industries, geographies or verticals.
Presenting the 6th Mayor's Innovation Awards Nominees for Shift Disturber
November 25, 2024 | The Shift Disturber award is a fan favourite, designed to recognize an individual who has championed innovation in their business, organization or community. Where others see opposition, they see opportunity. This individual is a powerhouse of creative problem solving, shaking up norms and spearheading strategic solutions in the midst of uncertainty.
Presenting the 6th Mayor's Innovation Awards Nominees for Research & Innovation Contribution
November 25, 2024 | The Research and Innovation Contribution award recognizes industry and academic researchers, as well as entrepreneurs whose innovative activities have had high impact on their individual business or sector, engaging knowledge users throughout the process.
Presenting the 6th Mayor's Innovation Awards Nominees for Municipal Innovation
November 25, 2024 | Introduced in 2023 by Mayor Alex Nuttall, the Municipal Innovation Award demonstrates the City of Barrie’s commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in public service. It recognizes the individuals, teams, and departments within our organization that have gone above and beyond to drive innovation, streamline processes, and deliver more effective and efficient services to our community.
Presenting the 6th Mayor's Innovation Awards Nominees for Pivot Point
November 25, 2024 | The Pivot Point award recognizes companies or organizations that have navigated unexpected challenges by discovering and pursuing opportunities for growth. This recognition focuses on those who purposefully took action, addressing risks and implementing key changes to their business model or processes.
Presenting the 6th Mayor's Innovation Awards Nominees for Youth Innovator
November 25, 2024 | The Youth Innovator award recognizes youth who are challenging the status quo and showcases some of the incredible learning that comes through entrepreneurship. This award encourages youth entrepreneurs of all types – from students working on capstone projects to those working on their own non-profit, for-profit or social enterprise – to develop their ideas, products/services, or even improvements for an existing product or process.
November 2024: Culture Pop! Newsletter
November 20, 2024 | In this issue: Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Barrie Arts Awards; Vibe & Thrive Black Mentor Speaker Series; She is More - Poetic Community Event; Registration is open for Canvas for Change; 2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomer Nights; Applications are being accepted for the Bright Futures Barrie Grant; and Submit your Event Listings to Barrie.ca.
Culture Pop! Special Edition
October 25, 2024 | In this issue: Call for Mayor's Christmas Card Contest; and Announcing the Barrie Arts Awards Shortlisted Nominees!
reIGNITE Conference 2024
October 25, 2024 | Last month, a handful of Invest Barrie team members had the opportunity to support and attend the 2024 reIGNITE Conference. Learn what some of their key takeaways were as they joined attendees to take in keynote speakers, experience various learning opportunities and build long-lasting connections with members of the start-up ecosystem.
Catching up with 2023 Starter Company Plus Participants
October 18, 2024 | The Small Business Centre team is excited to catch up with some of our 2023 Starter Company Plus Cohort participants to see how they and their businesses are six months after the end of their program.
September 2024: Invest Barrie Quarterly
September 30, 2024 | In this issue: Georgian College expands presence in downtown Barrie; Barrie named best municipality across GTA for getting new housing developments approved; Bryne Drive South expansion opens ahead of schedule and more.
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