Spring 2009 - City of Brantford

2008 Year EndInvestment SummaryBrantford continued to experience impressive new buildingconstruction activity in 2008, with permit values totaling$115,907,000. Combined industrial and commercial buildingpermit value exceeded $30 million.Analysis of 2008 Total Building Permit ValuesSummary of Major Industrial andCommercial Investments:• Expansion – Brantford Commons, 300 King George Road,62,500 sq.ft. multiple pad expansion to retail complex;$50 million capital investment• Expansion – Trison Tarp, 130 Copernicus Blvd., $140,000building permit value, 5,400 sq.ft.; four new jobs• Expansion – Walking Floor International, 65 Bury Court, 27,000sq.ft., $1.6 million building permit value, 17 jobs retained• New – Giant Tiger, 82 King George Rd.,24,000 sq.ft., $1 million building permit, 50 new jobs• New – Aucoin Investments, 37 Morton Ave E,12,500 sq.ft., $600,000 building permit value• Expansion – Nipissing University Brantford Campus,50 Wellington Street, 20,300 sq.ft., $4 million• New – Hampton Inn Suites – 20 Fen Ridge Court,58,000 sq.ft., $10.5 million, 40-50 new jobsIndustrial Investment Data:• 80,146 sq.ft. built• Industrial building permit value – $9,908,000• 133 new jobs created (full and part time) from new companiesand existing industrial expansionCommercial Investment Data:• 180,960 sq.ft. built• Commercial building permit value – $20,957,000• 285 new jobs created (full and part time)Residential Investment Data:• 204 single family units built• 432 total units built• 5-year average (2004-2008): 329 single family units• 5-year average (2004-2008): 536 total units builtSMALL BUSINESS MATTERSOntario in the CreativeAge ReportOntario continues its transition from old sources of economicstrength, particularly large manufacturing firms, towards newgrowth sectors. It is clear that entrepreneurship will be a criticalpart of a successful transition, ensuring that the province retains itscompetitiveness and prosperity into this new economic era.When we discuss the state of Ontario’s economy in the 21stcentury, it is important that we not only consider the types ofwork that our labour force is engaged in, but also how that workis now being organized and carried out. For one, conventionalemployment is no longer defined in the same way as it oncewas. The demand for competitiveness in a “just in time”, globallyintegrated economy has resulted in companies moving away fromthe corporate ladder to make use of temporary contracts, flexiblework arrangements and part-time labour.No matter the sector, it is unlikely that an individual can rely on asingle firm to provide stable employment for an extended periodof his or her working life. For many workers, this lack of stabilityhas had negative consequences. This is particularly the case forthose who have relied on the same job with the same firm formany years, or even decades.In the new economic environment, such singular loyalty can bea liability rather than an asset if workers have not developed abroad set of applicable skills and competencies. For theseworkers and others who lack the necessary education, trainingor experience, it is a struggle to find and keep good jobs.These circumstances make it essential that jurisdictions such asOntario ensure that some measure of protection or remedialsupport is made available. In the Ontario in the Creative Agereport, recently released by the Martin Prosperity Institute,authors highlight a number of innovative ideas for supportingtransitioning workers, such as wage insurance, which may goa long way towards protecting those left behind in this shift.Ironically, it is this shift in employment – and productionactivity more generally – that ends up creating a varietyof new opportunities.If the Ontario economy is to fully recover and reclaim a stable,globally competitive position, it must not rely solely upon sustainingprevious sources of economic prosperity; it must be supportive ofemergent industries as well as innovations in existing ones. It is thiscurrent economic transition that allows for a fundamental shift ineconomic development.For more information, please visit theBusiness Resource Centre website atwww.businessresourcecentre.ca/creativeagefor the full report.B r a n t f o r d | B r a n tBusiness|Resource|Enterprise|CentreDEVELOPMENTOPPORTUNITIES131 Savannah Oaks DriveThis two-year-old, multi-tenant industrial building located next toHighway 403 has easy access and on-site parking.This first-class building features:• Professional landscaping and an upscale entrance• 2,500 sq.ft. of office area• 27,000 sq.ft. of warehouse/manufacturing area• Three docks• One drive-in door• 26’ minimum clear height• Energy efficient gas heat• Sprinkler system upgraded to group “A”• Plastics on racks and three-phase powerThis unit is expandable to 50,000 sq.ft. and is divisible.is produced two timesa year by the City of Brantford Economic Development andTourism Department.City of Brantford EconomicDevelopment & Tourism Department399 Wayne Gretzky Parkway,Brantford, ON N3R 8B4Phone: 519-751-9900 or1-800-563-9999Fax: 519-751-2617advantage@brantford.cawww.brantford.caCounty of BrantEconomic Development66 Grand River Street NorthParis, ON N3L 2M2Phone: 519-442-6324 or1-888-250-2296Fax: 519-442-3461brant@brant.cawww.brant.caThe site is located close to Ferrero Canada’s manufacturing plantand Procter & Gamble’s Canadian distribution facility.Leasing Price: $4.90/sq.ft.For more information, please contact:Ted Ward-Griffin, RE/MAX Twin City Realty Inc.T: 519-756-8111UPCOMINGWorkshops, Seminarsand NetworkingWorkshops, seminars and networking opportunities will beoffered through the Business Resource Enterprise Centre andTourism Brantford, with the support of several community partners.To-date, programming includes:• Please Take My Card Networking Event – May 5, 2009• Tourism Awareness Week – June 1 - 7, 2009• Tourism Networking Breakfast – June 4, 2009For more information, please contact:Trudy BelancoT: 519-756-4269Business UpdateBrantford and County of Brant Economic Development HighlightsFEATURED DEVELOPMENTSThe Ventin Group SetsDesigns on BrantfordArchitectural design firm The Ventin Group has consolidated itsproduction offices to newly renovated space at 50 DalhousieStreet in downtown Brantford. The $1.5 million project bringstogether 35 architects, engineers, interior designers, technologists,finance, and administrative staff from its former Simcoeand Cambridge offices.Paul Sapounzi, a partner in the company, states the move wasmotivated by a desire to be positioned in a “real urban centre.”>Cont. on inside cover>www.brantfordbrant.comSpring 2009Future Looks Bright forProTerra LEDEngineer John Johnston happily reports that his latest venture,ProTerra LED, is taking off at “light speed”. Based out of St.George in the County of Brant, ProTerra LED specializes increating LED (light emitting diode) bulbs that can be retrofittedinto existing light fixtures. The product line includes replacementbulbs for streetlights, parking lots, industrial bays and interiorfluorescents. With energy savings as high as 80% over traditional,ProTerra’s ultra-efficient LED products allow users to significantlycut down on energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint.ProTerra LED was launched in December of 2008, however thetechnology is the result of over 2 years of research and development.>Cont. on inside cover>

BUSINESS BRIEFSLocal IndustryRecognizedThe City of Brantford Economic Development Advisory Committeeand the Rotary Club of Brantford want the community to knowthat despite a troubling economy, there are still good thingshappening with industry and manufacturing in Brantford. Thecommittee’s annual Industrial Appreciation Event was held at theBrantford Golf and Country Club in February, marking the firsttime it has partnered with Rotary.“Recognizing the valuable contribution that industry makes to theeconomic development of the City of Brantford is vital,” CommitteeChair, Michael St. Amant, said. “It’s especially important inthis difficult economy to showcase those companies that displaytremendous courage and fortitude by opening, operating andpromoting business in Brantford.”The Industrial Appreciation Event recognizes new industrial firms,long-standing companies established 45-years ago, and alsopresents a Brantford Ambassador award; given to individualswho, through their own personal efforts, have promoted andcontributed to Brantford’s economic development.“We’re very grateful to Rotary for allowing our committee theopportunity to be partners in formally and publicly recognizingthe contribution these companies are making to the economicdevelopment of the City of Brantford,” St. Amant said.Six new industries were recognized this year: Medisystem PharmacyLimited, Westlake Industries Inc., SEA Processing, Moduloc,Vibrant Pharma Inc., and Ideal Rubber Industries. Three longstandingcompanies were recognized: Brodart Canada Ltd., ITMLHorticultural Products and JEMPAK GK Inc.The Member Brantford Ambassador Award was given to BobHerron for his devoted effort and dedication in the promotionof the City of Brantford. Mr. Herron was acknowledged for hisactive community building and tireless volunteer work onnumerous boards and committees.Brantford’s Newest Hotel– Hampton InnBrantford will see its newest hotel in 19 years opening in thesummer of 2009, when the Hampton Inn opens its doors totravelers at their new location on the corner of Oak Park Roadand Fen Ridge Court, just off of Highway 403.Father and son Tej and Danny Bawa, of Bawa Hotels Canada,said their $10.5 million, 84-room, six-storey hotel would includesuites, an oversized indoor pool and a banquet/conventionfacility for up to 110 people. Brantford’s Hampton Inn will bepart of the Hilton brand of hotels, which has 2,800 hotels in 80countries around the world.“This is the right place for this business,” Tej Bawa said. “There isno other suite hotel in Brantford.”Bawa said he considered other municipalities, but in the endselected Brantford for its central location, the amount of trafficon HWY 403, the area’s current and expected economic growth,out-of-town business that’s generated from sports tourism, and thehistorical and cultural activity.The hotel is designed by local firm Karp, Namisniak YamamotoArchitects, who have worked on more than 250 hotel projectsand are also responsible for the design of the city’s tourism centre,main fire hall, downtown Royal Bank and the corporate offices ofWescast.The new hotel will have 58,000 sq.ft. of space, including a 500sq.ft. pool, a fitness room and a spa. Guest rooms will range fromstudios to suites with king-sized beds, fireplaces and Jacuzzis. The3.5-acre site will include parking for up to 200 cars and spacefor a future free standing restaurant and another 50-room hotel.For more information, please contact:E: info@hamptoninnbrantford.comDOWNTOWN PULSE$37.5 Million Renovationfor OLG Casino BrantfordA two-year, $37.5 million renovation project at OLG CasinoBrantford, focused on turning the gaming site into one of the mostenvironmentally friendly casinos in Canada, is set to generate anestimated 200 direct and indirect construction jobs.Construction equipment and crews moved onto the OLG CasinoBrantford property in early March to begin the project and isexpected to take 18-24 months to complete. The project is targetedat meeting environmental requirements to allow for silvercertification under the Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentalDesign, supported by the Canadian Green Building Council.The renovated casino will be powered by 100 per cent “green”electricity through Bullfrog Power, a company that specializes inproviding clean, eco-friendly power from renewable sources likewind power and low-impact water power.In addition to the estimated 200 direct and indirect constructionjobs associated with the project, most of the construction materialswill be purchased within the region, further reducing the casino’scarbon footprint.OLG Casino Brantford opened in November of 1999, and hashosted close to 16 million visits by customers. After 10 years ofoperation, Casino General Manager Grant Darling says it’s timefor a change.“Not only will this project create a brand new interior look for thecasino, it will create two years of construction benefits throughemployment and the purchase of construction materials, and havea strong environmental component,” Darling said.Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock welcomes the environmentallyfriendly renovation project saying it shows OLG’s commitment tothe City of Brantford. “Since opening, the casino has providedover $35 million in direct revenue to our city in addition to themillions of dollars in economic activity created by the 1,000employees who work at the casino. This project will only addto that economic stimulus.”In the past 10 years, OLG has played a strong communitypartnership role in Brantford through the support of largecommunity events such as Canada Day celebrations, theSanderson Centre for the Performing Arts programming, andthe Shining Stars Tourism Awards.For more information, please contact:Grant Darling, Casino General ManagerT: 519-757-3302FEATURED DEVELOPMENTSThe Ventin Group >Cont. from cover>He added, “Brantford has all the attributes and design of a grandcity – good institutional blocks in the downtown, rectinlinearstreets and real neighbourhoods. It has ‘good bones.’ It alsohas the makings of becoming a true university city – a uniqueeducational community with boutique buildings and a naturallyintegrated campus environment.”Brantford also has an ideal strategic location, with close proximityto highways 403 and 401, giving ease of access for staff andproximity to clients in Toronto, London and Kitchener being keyfor the firm.An extensive renovation began in October 2008 and tookfour months to complete. The majority of the upper floor wasconverted to a bright, airy open concept space with views onthree sides of the building. The remainder of the upper floorwas turned into executive offices, administrative space and aboardroom. Staff moved into the building on February 20, 2009.The Ventin Group occupies 10,000 sq.ft. while tenant Hurry Printoccupies 5,000 sq.ft.The firm received a $150,000 downtown grant from the citytowards the renovation. The company has clients throughoutOntario and the U.S., as well as Bermuda, and Argentina.For more information contact: Paul Sapounzi, The Ventin GroupT: 519-754-1652ProTerra LED >Cont. from cover>The business has taken off swiftly, and Johnston and his team havebeen in contact with potential clients from across North America,the Caribbean and Europe. “My goal is to develop the productshere and make them here,” Johnston said of his St. George headquarters.“I believe in making things where you sell them. I’d liketo help restore opportunity in our corner of the world.”Johnston’s immediate plan is to perfect the production process athis facilities in St. George, and then duplicate it, setting up “cookiecutters” of the process in other regions, allowing ProTerra LED tocreate jobs in all of the markets where its products are sold.Johnston’s LED lighting products were born of an insatiable driveto create and innovate. The company caught the attention of OntarioEnergy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman, whopointed to ProTerra LED as an example of job creation throughgreen innovation. Plans are underway to establish a researchand development facility adjacent to ProTerra’s current corporateoffices, and the company has partnered with Conestoga College’sresearch and development centre, continuing the pursuit for new,better and greener products.For more information visit www.proterraled.com.new and expandedNCOcongratulationsL.F. Burgess & Associates LimitedL.F. Burgess & Associates Limited has moved their operations to 460 Hardy Road in the city’s NorthwestBusiness Park. The company is a manufacturer sales representative to the marine industry. Customersinclude marine, sporting goods, hardware distributors, and dealers. The company is leasing 19,000sq.ft. of space and employs a staff of seven. For more information, please contact Louis Burgess,Account Executive, 519-759-3220.Uniqpol Chicken ProductsUniqpol Chicken Products has expanded their 21 Middleton Street food manufacturing facility. Thecompany has added 2,500 sq.ft. to allow for increased refrigeration space. Uniqpol specializes in themanufacture of processed chicken, sausages and cold cuts. The company employs a staff of 12.For more information, please contact Richard Kowal, Owner, 519-756-1044.NCO has chosen to remain in Brantford and have relocated their call centre operations to 33 Sinclair Boulevard. The company moved all650 of its employees to the 40,000 sq.ft. space at the beginning of February, 2009. NCO decided to remain in Brantford because it wantedto maintain the quality employee base it has here. For more information, please contact Brian Callahan, Vice President of Financial Reporting,215-441-3000.Sure-Gro Inc.Sure-Gro Inc. has relocated its operations from the Northwest Business Park to 97 Easton Road. The company now occupies 102,000 sq.ft.of space. Sure-Gro is a leading supplier in the Canadian home and garden industry, with a broad range of product categories, including;fertilizer, grass seed, controls, growing media and ice melt products, under several brand names including CIL, Golfgreen, Wilson, GreenEarth, and Alaskan. For more information, please contact John Hill, President and CEO, 519-754-2900.Congratulations from the City of Brantford and County of Brant tothe following businesses:Datasym Inc.Datasym Inc. is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009. Datasymis a manufacturer of high quality, full function, affordable point-ofsale(POS) software and hardware products.Grand River FoodsGrand River Foods of Paris, ON has been named one ofCanada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. The national businessawards program recognizes excellence in Canadian owned andmanaged companies with revenues over $1 million. The programis sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, NationalPost, and Queen’s School of Business.