Suddenly our beds feel more comfortable at the end of the day, the air is crisper and earthier, and the sound of leaves crunching under our feet can only mean one thing...Its officially Fall! For many of us this season is the one we just can’t get enough of, we ditch the ice coffee for hot cappuccinos, the pool floaties for a book by the window, and flip flops for our favourite pair of boots. This season is about shedding the old to allow for growth. It’s a great time to learn, to embrace a new skill, and nurture the skills you already have. This week’s newsletter features several opportunities to do just that, so be sure to check out some the fantastic ways to boost your skills and your business this Fall!

BOO! On Broadway and Beyond! is BACK!

We will be hosting most of the spooktacular activities in Alexandra Park on Saturday, October 22n  due to the construction, but we will still be holding out Pumpkin Decorating Contest and Witches Walk on downtown streets.  Please visit https://downtownorangeville.ca/boo-on-broadway-and-beyond-2/ for all the ghoulish details!

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Display your scary, your hairy, your stylish and crazy pumpkins for judging on Saturday October 22nd and **NEW THIS YEAR** you could WIN the exciting grand prize of $500 towards a Holiday Staff Party!   Your creations were so impressive last year, we can’t wait to see what you do this year!

Members of the public will VIEW your pumpkin in-person at your location on Saturday October 22nd and cast their vote ONLINE until the 31st.

Here’s how to enter!

  1. REGISTER: Email ambassador@downtownorangeville.ca ASAP to register!
  2. CREATE: Each business will be responsible for purchasing their own pumpkin or pumpkins. Feel free to use multiple pumpkins in your display, carve, paint, or dress up your pumpkin any way you like! Get your staff involved, or get your kids involved! Have fun !
  3. PHOTOGRAPH: ***IMPORTANT*** You must have your pumpkin ready to go & photographed by Thursday October 20th. The photo you provide will be uploaded to the online voting form so that members of the public can clearly see all of the amazing pumpkins in one place and cast their vote. Please email your photo to ambassador@downtownorangeville.ca or you can send it to us via chat on our social media channels (Facebook and/or Instagram) @downtownorangeville.
  4. DISPLAY: Set up your pumpkin outside your store on Saturday, October 22nd. Members of the public will be encouraged to tour around Downtown Orangeville to view all the pumpkins and cast their vote online. 
  5. WIN: There are 3 exciting prizes to be won!

Grand Prize

  1. a) Up to $500 towards a staff night out at a Downtown restaurant of your choice (Proof of purchase is required)
  2. b) 6 tickets to a Theatre Orangeville production of your choice
  3. c) $200 donation made in your business name to a local charity of your choice.

2nd prize

$200 Decorating Bucks – BIA will reimburse you up to $200 towards your business’ exterior Christmas décor  (ie. winter urns, wreath, window decorations, etc.).  Proof of purchase required.

3rd prize

$100 Marketing Bucks – BIA will reimburse you up to $100 towards print, radio, or social media ads.    Proof of purchase required.

 ******Please email Eve ASAP to register!  ambassador@downtownorangeville.ca

Register Now for FREE small business learning sessions!

Are you ready to zero in on your skills and improve your business strategy? Registration is now open with The Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre for FREE sessions on a number of exciting topics. 

Orangeville Community Profile- Neighborhood Case Study

On Wednesday October 26th Join Christine Hann to learn about Orangeville’s market research data and get insight into your community’s demographics to improve your marketing strategy.

Boost Your Productivity

On Wednesday November 9th join business coach David Cohen to learn about tools that will help you focus, use time productively and help you work smarter not harder.

Register to attend any and all of these valuable learning opportunities, please visit https://calendar.orangeville.ca/business/Month to register!

Starter Company Plus!

In efforts to assist small businesses looking to expand, and new businesses getting their footing the Starter Company Plus program is created to support local entrepreneurs establish strong and vibrant businesses.

This program includes:

  • one-to-one consultations with a qualified business advisor
  • assistance with the development of a business plan using free tools and guidance
  • participation in free training, networking, and mentoring sessions
  • opportunities to apply for grants of up to $5000

Applications for the 2022 intake will be accepted until October 28, 2022

Click the link to apply now: www.orangeville.ca/starter-company/

Do you have a schedule of programming that you would like to share with your business members? 

Check out Branching Out Support Services upcoming programs:

Branching Out Support Services has some fantastic upcoming events to promote positivity and learning. Check out Branching Out’s website to find out more about their fantastic social activities for groups of all ages!

Employer Incentive Programs Information Session

Wednesday, October 12, 10-10:30 am Georgian College Career and Employment Community Services is holding a virtual information session to highlight government-funded employment and training programs for employers and their staff. Click HERE to register or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://forms.office.com/r/52RkPS8Jws

Our programs are free to eligible employers, and include:

  • Free job postings
  • On-the-job training incentive for new employees
  • Job coaching
  • Youth employment programs
  • Third-party training grants
  • Manufacturing-sector microcredentials
  • Occupation-specific language training for internationally-trained professionals
  • Networking and mentorship opportunities for newcomers

Learning Lab’s Social Media Marketing Program

The Social Media Marketing Program is a four-course series created to help you elevate the use of social media for your business. You will learn best practices for social media including foundational tools, how and when to engage online, content planning and creation, and publishing tips. Whether you are in the early stages of developing your social media or an advanced user, these courses will help hone your skills, inspire, and increase your strategic use of this essential marketing tool.

https://learninglab.centralcounties.ca/

Do you live in Orangeville? Do you own OR rent a commercial property here?

If so, you may be eligible to VOTE in the upcoming municipal election!  Click here to find out if you are eligible: https://elections.orangeville.ca/voters.php#vote3

Town of Orangeville Kicks off Election Month

The municipal election takes place on October 24, 2022, which will elect a Mayor, Deputy Mayor and five Town Councilors to sit on a four-year term for the Town of Orangeville.

Advance Voting Dates

In advance of election day, the following advance voting dates are available in Orangeville: October 8, 12,15 and 19.  For locations and times on where advance voting takes place visit elections.orangeville.ca

 

Vote Anywhere

Orangeville residents can vote at any location they find most convenient to them. There are multiple voting locations for advance voting and on election day:

Advance Voting Locations:

  • Alder Recreation Centre – 275 Alder Street
  • Best Western Plus Inn and Suites – 7 Buena Vista Drive
  • Town Hall – 87 Broadway

 

Election Day Locations:

  • Alder Recreation Centre – 275 Alder Street
  • Best Western Plus Inn and Suites – 7 Buena Vista Drive
  • Canadian Reformed Church – 55 C Line
  • Christian Reformed Church – 50 Blind Line
  • New Hope Community Church – 690 Riddell Road
  • Orangeville Train Station – 49 Town Line
  • Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre – 6 Northmen Way

 

Please visit elections.orangeville.ca for specific dates and times.

Vote at Home Program

For homebound electors who are not able to attend a voting location due to illness, injury or disability, the Town of Orangeville has a Vote at Home Program where election officials will come to your home to conduct voting. To inquire about this program, please visit elections.orangeville.ca or call the Clerk’s Office at 519-941-0440 ext. 2219 or 2239

Election Reminders

Here are a few things to keep in mind as we approach election month:

  • It is recommended that voters bring their Voter Notification Card with them to vote
  • All voters must provide proof of identity and residence with an original document that shows their name and qualifying address
  • Information on the candidates can be found on the Election Portal at elections.orangeville.ca

Media Contact

Mallory Cunnington; Manager, Communications – Town of Orangeville:

mcunnington@orangeville.ca