Current and aspiring entrepreneurs in the area will soon have a forum that will help foster cooperation and shared

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1 APRIL 2012 the pulse ALSO INSIDE: S A U L T S T E. M A R I E E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T N E W S Sault hosts All- Ontario Midget AAA Championships Summer Company provides real-world business experience Area business offers children and parents a place to party SSMEDC looking to diversify local economy into mining sector Column: Organizers knew CARHA would work in the Sault Sault earns hosting rights for 2012 OBA BBall Championships ENTERPRISE SERVICES: Sault Community Entrepreneur Network Exchange a go Entrepreneurs will soon have a forum to exchange ideas Current and aspiring entrepreneurs in the area will soon have a forum that will help foster cooperation and shared wisdom. The soon-to-beestablished Sault Community Entrepreneur Network Exchange (SCENE) will be an outlet in which business owners can gather, discuss opportunities and learn from one another. Spearheaded by Business Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the Economic Development Corporation, the goal of the initiative is to support the local small business sector. With support structures, the survival rate of small businesses can increase significantly, said Terri Chiarello, the division s Small Business Advisor. The SCENE offers entrepreneurs a practical forum to build on their business skills, knowledge and experience. City Council supported the initiative with $10,000 in startup funding at its April 16 meeting. The investment came from the City s Economic Development Fund, an annual fund established by Council that supports job creation, an increase of new tax assessment through investments and economic development projects. Once established, the SCENE will assist individuals in their entrepreneurial pursuits through an online informationbased system and informal gatherings. Its mission is to increase entrepreneurial education, reduce social and economic barriers in business start up, and provide information on business support programs. Small business is the backbone of the Canadian economy, and any additional support structures for owners will go a long way in bolstering this crucial sector, said Rob Reid, President of the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, which is supporting the SCENE and was involved with Photo courtesy of Curt O Neil its initial focus group sessions. A local entrepreneur network is something many of our Chamber members will find useful. Meanwhile, Business SSM assessed the need for an entrepreneur network by first surveying regional entrepreneurs. What we found was that a lack of support forum was keeping some from taking the next step and entering the small business sector, said Zoltan Virag, the division s Youth Development Coordinator. The SCENE addresses this deficit and will also assist entrepreneurs to remain in the sector for longer periods. Ultimately, it will help create and retain jobs in the Sault area. The SCENE was identified as a strategic priority project in the SSMEDC's Strategic Plan. So, too, was a Business Incubator, which is also moving forward, thanks to support from the City s Economic Development Fund. PHOTOS: Business Sault Ste. Marie clients (L to R) Discover the Canvas (Katrina Thibodeau), Café Natura and Jeannette s Custom Cakes (Jeannette Orazietti). The goal of the SCENE is to help replicate these success stories many times over.

2 PAGE 2 SPORT TOURISM: Sault hosts All-Ontario Midget AAA Championships; Now preparing for Nationals Tourism Sault Ste. Marie and partners host major hockey tournament Six of the top midget teams in the province were in Sault Ste. Marie last month to take part in the 2012 Central Region AAA Championships. The event attracted hundreds of visitors. The All-Ontario tournament was bid on by Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the SSMEDC, the North Stars, and Sault Major Hockey Association. Members from each organization travelled to North Bay last year to make the case to the Northern Ontario Hockey Association that the Sault deserved the hosting rights. They were successful. Following that fruitful bid, What does designing skateboards and designing prosthetic limbs have in common? At the outset, it wouldn t appear much. However, both focus on stress distribution while requiring functionality and efficiency. Calvin Young, a 19-yearold student and entrepreneur from Sault Ste. Marie, is currently involved with both. Enrolled in his second year of the Biomedical Engineering program at the University of Guelph, he s learning how to design prosthetics and other specialized devices for the health-care field. He s also using his skills and passion in the small business sector. Last year, the Sir James Dunn graduate took part in Summer Company, a provincial program, administered in the region by Business Sault Ste. Marie, that provides grants of up to $3,000 for youth to start a seasonal business. Young operated Vantage Boards, a firm that manufactured long boards. The program, funded by the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, taught him a number of skills. And with Business Sault Ste. Marie staff there to assist along the way, support structures are there to help the same group went after the 2013 National Telus Cup, and the Sault was awarded this major event as well. Our solid partnership with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie has helped us go after and host some big-name events, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come, said Mike Murphy, Co-Chair of both the 2012 and 2013 events. Involving about 200 players and officials, along with several hundred parents, fans and scouts, Hockey Canada estimates that the National PHOTO: The Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves, winner of the 2012 Central Region Midget AAA Championships. young entrepreneurs through the process. There were plenty of resources available, said Young. They (Business Sault Ste. Marie) were very helpful and supportive. Though no longer operating as a Summer Company participants can only take part in the program once Vantage Boards is still in business. To learn more, visit Meanwhile, after he s finished school, Young wants to start his own design firm, a company that will engineer prosthetics and other medical equipment. Already having business experience, thanks to Summer Telus Cup generates about $1.5 million for the host city economy. As well, with the final game broadcast across the country on TSN, there are promotional benefits as well. Our solid partnership with Sault Major has been beneficial for local hockey and the local tourism industry, said Steve Hollingshead, Coordinator of Special Projects & Sport Tourism for Tourism SSM. Our community has a long-standing history of hosting top-notch events, and it s the volunteers, like the folks at Sault Major, who make it all possible. Having the support of City Council and staff also goes a very long way. YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Summer Company provides real-world business experience; Apply now From designing skateboards to prosthetic limbs, Calvin Young s the man Company, he ll be ahead of the game. Summer Company was a great way to get into business, said Young. It gives you a feel for running a business, but it also provides a safety net, as you can do it without a lot of risk. Business SSM, a division of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic is now accepting applications for the 2012 Summer Company program. The deadline to apply is May 7. To apply, visit the program website or contact Zoltan Virag, the division s Youth Development Coordinator, at or z.virag@ssmedc.ca.

3 PAGE 3 SMALL BUSINESS: Looking for a fun place to party? David Greer and Celebrate can help SSMEDC client offers unique birthday bash options Wherever there s a service not being provided, an opportunity lies. That s exactly what David Greer had in mind when he opened his business, Celebrate, located in Desbarats. As the name suggests, it offers themed birthday parties. His property acts as a giant party centre, with a number of unique activities available. Parents select a theme anything from princess to rock n roll and Greer takes care of the rest. We make it as stress free PHOTO: David Greer opened his party and education business in April When you think of mining in Northern Ontario, things that probably come to mind are copper in Sudbury or gold in Timmins. But what about Sault Ste. Marie? Though not seen as a mining area, at least compared to some other cities in the region, there are many abandoned mines surrounding the Sault. Most were once active in producing gold, silver and copper, and a few are now being redeveloped. With the price of raw materials on the as possible, he said. All parents have to do is show up with kids and a cake. While using Greer s service may be easy on the parents, starting the business was anything but. To make the start-up process easier, he first met with the team at Business Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the Economic which services the Algoma District and Chapleau area. They (Business Sault Ste. Marie) provided a good listening ear and helped me rise, now may be a good time to reactive more. And with a mining supply chain cluster courtesy of local fabrication, machine and other mechanical shops the Sault has the industrial capacity to service these mines when they reopen. That s precisely the case that Business Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the Economic is making to mining companies around the world. For instance, Sault Ste. Marie had a presence at the recent PHOTO: One of many fun things to see and do at the party centre. MINING: Business Sault Ste. Marie looking to diversify the local economy Potential exists to redevelop mines in the Sault area trade show for the Prospect & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), which brings together thousands of national and international mining and exploration companies. There s a great opportunity here for not only mining companies to set up operations in the Sault area, but also for local firms to service these companies, said John Febbraro, Director of Industrial Marketing with pricing and marketing ideas, he said. They helped me realize the cost effectiveness of the business. In the end, Greer s company came to be as a result of his drive and ambition, coupled with some assistance from Business SSM. Passion can only get you so far, he said evenly. It takes that extra help and a little nudge in the right direction to make it happen. That s precisely what the division does, according to Andrew Ross, General Manager of Enterprise Services for Business SSM. It s great when you re part of a process that helps turn someone s dream into a reality, he said. Meanwhile, along with his business, Greer s journey to the Sault area is also noteworthy. Working at a law firm in Toronto for many years, he and his wife grew tired of the hustle and bustle of big city life. Having visited friends in Sault Ste. Marie several times over the years, they knew where they wanted to replant their flag. We fell in love with the area, he said. When the time was right, the family headed north, and the business was born. To book a party, contact Greer at or davidgreer101@hotmail.com. Or, visit the Facebook site: Celebrate Your Day Your Way Party and Play Centre. for Business Sault Ste. Marie. The ultimate goal is to help diversify the local economy into the often-lucrative mining sector. PHOTO: The Sault Ste. Marie marketing booth at the Ontario pavilion of the PDAC trade show in Toronto.

4 PAGE 4 COLUMN: Organizers knew this size of event would work in this market CARHA Hockey World Cup lives up to nay, exceeds expectations BY FRANK O CONNOR Well, the final puck has been dropped, the last suds of Bud have been consumed, championship cups have been hoisted, galas have been attended, and the flights full of hockey players from foreign lands have all departed. In the words of the former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch, These were the best CARHA games ever. The previous host cities of Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Quebec City certainly did a fantastic job of hosting the Olympics of mens recreational hockey, but let s give credit where credit is due. The Sault has now set a new standard against which all future CARHA tournaments will be measured. My wife and I certainly enjoyed the whole week, and tried to attend as many events and games as we could. I watched a game of 60-plusyear-olds with my old friend, Rico Fata, who was playing for Cornwall and scouting the two teams on the ice, and I could not believe the calibre of play. During the fireworks show at the opening ceremonies, I ran into a couple of CARHA officials who were here to work at rink sites, and we chatted casually about Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma region. They couldn t believe what a great start the tournament had with the athletes parade and pavilion site, and thought the fireworks were of the calibre of a capital hill July 1st show. They said the Sault s bid committee certainly did their preparation homework because these games usually go to much bigger cities. What became apparent as the games rolled on was that our organizing committee was bang on in knowing that this size of event would work in this market. Round-robin games in the Mens Open Division saw crowds in the 3,000 to 4,000 range, the championship finals had to have set an attendance record with what looked like an Essar Centre with the roof opened up to make room for more fans, and all games around the city were well attended. I am sure someone from Budweiser, the event s main beer sponsor, had to call in for more inventory because lineups for the delicious beverage were everywhere. Media reports suggest that the economic benefit to Sault Ste. Marie was in the $10- million range. It may well be worth much more. The future benefits to our local economy because of this event cannot be measured yet. Up here in Batchawana Bay, I had one of the visiting Finnish teams show up at my lodge for a coffee break and to take some photos of Lake Superior. In no time flat, they were buying souvenirs, taking brochures, and asking me to show them some of my rooms and housekeeping units. One fellow fell in love with the place and wants to come back with his family in the summer. As we collectively bask in the glory of knowing our Naturally-Gifted city did good on this one, we must pay tribute to the brains and brawn behind bringing this event to our town, and ensuring that it was an operational success. Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, a branch of the Economic Development Corporation, deserves a gold medal for this one. Specifically, Executive Director Ian McMillan and Coordinator of Special Projects & Sports Tourism Steve Hollingshead are worthy of a beer poured in their honour the next time you meet them in a tavern. Certainly there are countless other folks, city officials, and planners who volunteered hundreds of hours to make this project take off, and everyone associated with this event deserves our praise and gratitude. At one of the games during the week, I briefly ran into Hollingshead and all he wanted to talk about was the next big event he is bringing to town this summer, a motorcycle rally over the July 1st weekend. With the largest project ever on his lap, his mind was already racing toward the next big thing. We must remember as a small-market city of consumers, if we want this kind of stuff to continue, we must patronize it when it comes. Concerts, recreational/athletic tournaments, special events and great attractions will continue to come our way if we continue to show the energy and enthusiasm that we did during CARHA. Here s to you Sault Ste. Marie, and cheers to you Tourism Sault Ste. Marie. Ten fingers and toes way up. Frank O Connor is a community columnist and proprietor of the Voyageurs Lodge and Cookhouse at Batchawana Bay. Column originally published in The Sault Star on March 15, PHOTO: Ian McMillan, from Tourism SSM, addresses the participants at the open ceremonies at the Essar Centre

5 Out & About: SSMEDC Photo Gallery BUSINESS OUTREACH: Terri Chiarello (left), Small Business Advisor for Business Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the Economic operates an information booth at the 2012 Home & Outdoor Show last month. The annual event, run by the Chamber of Commerce, was sponsored this year by Passport to Prosperity, a provincial school-to-work entrepreneurship program administered in the Algoma region by Business Sault Ste. Marie. BASKETBALL PLANNING: At the Superior Heights gym are Steve Hollingshead (third from left), from Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the SSMEDC, with members from the Ontario Basketball Association and Algoma University Athletics Department. The three organizations are hosting an upcoming OBA Championships, which is expected to draw hundreds of players, coaches and fans to the city. LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Jennifer King-Callon (left), Meetings & Conventions Coordinator for Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the Economic Development Corporation, was with a film crew last month at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre. The crew was shooting a marketing video, which Tourism Sault Ste. Marie will use in its overall promotion of the city. As well, with a theatre room and other attributes, King-Callon hopes to use the facility to host upcoming conventions. April Foster Drive - Level Three Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada P6A 5X6 Phone: Toll Free: Fax: info@ssmedc.ca the pulse is prepared by: Marc Capancioni Communications Coordinator Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp m.capancioni@ssmedc.ca The Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation recognizes the financial support it receives from the City of Sault Ste. Marie. As well, it recognizes the strong backing it receives from the Mayor, Council and City staff team. The SSMEDC also thanks the federal and provincial governments, and its many other partners, for their financial support. The Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit organization, funded by public and private partners, whose goal is to be the community s leader in supporting and promoting an environment that generates sustainable employment in a healthy, growing and diversified economy.