Smiths Falls is home to a diverse network of businesses and ideally situated in the heart of the Rideau Canal. We’re home to Canopy Growth, Canada’s largest cannabis producer; and the addition of Le Boat has allowed us to welcome visitors from around the world.
Our vast network of already established businesses include leaders in construction, industrial engineering, and food processing. During Covid-19 we experienced immense growth with the addition of 15+ new retail and dining locations. The recent changes in our downtown core have modernized and revitalized our shopping and dining district.
We invite you to visit Smiths Falls and encourage you to consider Smiths Falls as your home for doing business. Whether you are starting a new business, looking for a second location or relocating, we have the infrastructure and resources to help you.
Our local partnering agencies can play a vital role in ensuring you have access to the tools and resources you need to start, grow and expand your business.
The Small Business Advisory Centre regularly hosts information sessions to help you grow your business and stay up-to-date with best business practices. Topics include book keeping, social media, workplace safety, google analytics, brand bootcamp, and how to save time and money with a sales funnel that works.
A business advisor is available by appointment to meet with you. We can help you with your questions about small business and provide you with the information you need to get your business going and keep it running smoothly and profitably. We are very resourceful, if there are questions that we can’t answer we can steer you to various other sources for more specialized information.
The Small Business Advisory Centre is an initiative of the Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade, in partnership with the Town of Smiths Falls and funding support from the County of Lanark.
Cindy James
cjames@smallbizcentre.ca
www.smallbizcentre.ca
To join us on Facebook:
http://facebook.com/smallbizcentre
Follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/smallbusinesscentre_sf_lc/
The Chamber of Commerce was established in 1889 as the voice of business in Smiths Falls.
The Chamber is a non-profit, membership based organization that works to enhance economic development and prosperity by providing advocacy, networking, and visibility.
During the Covid-19 pandemic the Chamber was very responsive to the evolving and changing needs of our business community. Several initiatives were undertaken to provide support. The Chamber was the proud recipient of the 2020 EDCO Community Economic Development Award for our SF Local Subscription Boxes.
To find out more about joining the Chamber, please visit us at www.smithsfallschamber.com/join/
info@smithsfallschamber.ca
Funded in part by the Government of Canda and the Government of Ontario, ontrac Employment Resource Services delivers programs to local employers to assist with their hiring and training needs. The Job Matching, Placement and Incentives program aims to help job seekers connect with employers and obtain career-related work experience.
These services and supports are offered at no cost to both job seekers and employers.
ontrac helps employers to find employees for jobs they are trying to fill, and additionally provides recruitment supports such as job matching, resume screening, job posting, job fairs, etc. In some cases, wage incentives are provided to employers who hire and help individuals transition into the labour force.
For more information or to see how ontrac can support your business please call, email or drop in to see us!
52 Abbott Street North, Unit 2, Smiths Falls
Phone: 613-283-6978
Email: smithsfalls@getontrac.ca
Website: www.getontrac
Downtown Smiths Falls is home to more than 140 businesses and has seem immense growth over the last few years. The Downtown Business Association (DBA) plays a vital role in beautification and promotion of the downtown core.
The Downtown Business Association hosts a number of events downtown each year, including the highly anticipated annual “Girls Night Out”. The DBA has partnered with The Chamber to bring to life events such at the Bustle on Russell, The Russell Street Marketplace and was a co-recipient for the EDCO 2020 Community Economic Development Award for the SF Local Subscription Boxes. In it’s inaugural year, The Bustle on Russell saw over 1000 participants in a one day event designed for the whole family and encouraged participation from the entire downtown business community.
If you open a business in the downtown boundaries, you’ll automatically become a member and will be featured on DBA social media and listed on their website at https://downtownsmithsfalls.ca/
Valley Heartland supports businesses within Lanark County and North Leeds by providing access to capital and support through localized financing, grant funding, learning and development and advisory. Complimentary consultations provide guidance based on individual business financing needs and entrepreneurial strategy; deep dives to explore and evaluate core choices to translate your business ideas into a reality. Our business financing is fueled by our Community Loan Fund allowing us to offer flexibility with repayment terms and monthly payment management – never a one size fits all approach.
Valley Heartland Innovation Centre
The Valley Heartland Innovation Centre located in Smiths Falls is the region’s hub for business and economic innovation. The Centre provides a 5000 sq ft one-stop-shop for accessing capital, support, training, and a supportive environment for unconventional and actionable Economic Development projects.
Facilities include a 1,400 sq ft. training room equipped with a164-inch TV wall and wireless Virtual Reality, a Digital Media Lab with the latest technology to create digital media content (i.e., podcasts, videos, 360 photography), and an open collaboration lounge with modern furniture, a soundproof phone/meeting pod with built-in video conferencing and natural light.
Town of Smiths Falls – Department of Economic Development and Tourism
The Department of Economic Development is dedicated to growing our community and always striving to increase the quality of life for all residents. The Department seeks to ensure that the Town will be an ideal place to live, work, and play in the future, as outlined in the goals of the the Economic Development and Tourism Plan.
Immigration is a key factor for economic growth in Smiths Falls. That is why our staff works hard to ensure Smiths Falls is an attractive and diverse community. As a team we work to assist people wishing to relocate to Smiths Falls by offering grants and incentives. Furthermore, we aim to assist those who are already members of the Smiths Falls community. Offering funds and programs such as the Community Improvement Plan (CIP), the town strives to retain business and work alongside owners and entrepreneurs to help their growth and make Smiths Falls their home.
Our team is always eager to assist others in growing our community. The Department of Economic Development is here to help residents and business owners in a variety of ways, from moving one’s business to our vibrant downtown to looking at some of Smiths Falls’ larger commercial properties.
Our team also partners with the Smiths Falls Downtown Business Association (DBA), a Business Improvement Area where business and property owners work together, with the support of the municipality, to encourage and facilitate physical improvements and to attract new commerce to the area.
Economic Development and Tourism Resources and Documents
Economic Development & Tourism Strategy 2019
Contact Us:
Julia Crowder
Economic Development and Tourism Manager
Phone: 613.283.4124 ext 1107
Email: jcrowder@smithsfalls.ca