County Hosts Business Event

Jun 19, 2024

The Frontenac County planning and economic development department hosted a Frontenac business networking event at Elements Fitness and Wellness on Tuesday, June 8.

The event was a chance for local business owners throughout Frontenac County to congregate, network and hear updates about the business sector in Frontenac County.

Debbi Miller, the Community Development Officer for Frontenac County, feels this was an important event for businesses in Frontenac County to congreagate.

“Frontenac County is very spread out and so it’s very intentional when we get together to network. I think it’s really important to be connected in the business community more than ever because we’re so much further apart,” said Miller.

Miller believes that whenever businesses can connect and become aware of what the other has to offer, there is more opportunity for collaboration and growth.

“It’s always great if people can connect and start to collaborate or partner on something, to me that is always a success,” she said. “Anytime we can continue networking and connecting and meeting others in our community it’s always a great opportunity.”

Following a morning of refreshments provided by Rampant Kitchen, and some mingling, Miller and Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development the county, provided an economic update for 2023 and their goals for 2024.

For 2023 much of the economic growth was in the food and drink sector. For 2024, Frontenac County will be focused on bringing development to tourism, accommodations, housing and food and drink, with the advertisement of the K&P Trail as a main component to this. Currently, the office is working on getting the trail of Google Streetview to ensure accessibility and awareness for visitors.

Then Tanya Heyman, the owner of Elements Fitness and Wellness took business owners on a tour of the Elememts Fitness property, showcasing the gym set up as well as their sustainable farming practices.

At the end of the event, many business owners expressed their gratitude for the chance to network and see what other services in Rural Frontenac are offered.

Abigayle Aschman, the social media manager at Upper Canada Fuels said she was feeling excited after the morning and was looking forward to sharing what she picked up when she went back to her office.

“We were all here for the same goal and it’s just nice to meet other businesses in the same area that we focus on, and the atmosphere was great,” said Aschman.

“I feel it is so important for businesses from rural areas to come together,” she said. “Word of mouth is one of the biggest marketing tools and resources that a business can have. It has a positive domino effect.”