Mayor Crombie addresses small business owners in attendance during the Mayor’s Small Business Forum.
For Immediate Release
October 28th, 2017
Mayor Crombie Engages Entrepreneurs During Small Business Forum, Highlights Employment Initiatives
In Mississauga, we mean business when it comes to supporting thought leaders, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises to develop concepts, secure capital investments and launch their next big ideas into the marketplace, Mayor Bonnie Crombie said Wednesday during the Mayor’s Small Business Forum, where over 300 people were in attendance at City Hall.
This inaugural event, hosted by Mayor Crombie in partnership with the Mississauga Business Enterprise Centre, coincided with Small Business Month and Small Business Week which both take place in October. Susan Amring, Director of Economic Development and David Wojcik, President and CEO of The Mississauga Board of Trade, were both on hand and delivered speeches about local resources, programs and networking opportunities available to small business owners.
Attendees also heard presentations, and asked questions, to representatives from the Mississauga Business Enterprise Centre; the Ontario Investment Office; the Ministry of International Trade; and Peel Career Assessment Services Inc. Presentation topics included:
- Local Small Business Support Service Programs
- Government Programs and Services
- Building Your Business Beyond Canadian Borders
- Hiring and Training Resources and Incentives
“I also invite businesses to take part in the 2nd Annual Mayor’s Youth Employment Expo which will take place on Sunday November 19, 2017, from 12-4PM at Mississauga Civic Centre (City Hall).”
Booth space for businesses is free and available on a first come, first served basis. “Don’t miss out on this recruitment opportunity young, ambitious and smart local talent,” Mayor Crombie said. For more information and to register for this free event, please visit: www.youthjobexpo.ca
“97 per cent of all Mississauga businesses are small businesses, Mayor Crombie said. “When small businesses succeed, Mississauga succeeds. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.”
Heidi Brown, Manager, Small Business & Entrepreneurship, added “Our Mississauga Business Enterprise Centre (MBEC) team was thrilled to be a partner in delivering the standing-room only, inaugural Mayor’s Small Business Forum here in Mississauga. I would like to extend a warm thank you to all our entrepreneurs and small business owners for taking the time to come out to hear from our presenters and exhibitors about the various Government programs, services, and local supports available to our business community. We at MBEC are proud to be one of the service providers helping our local small businesses reach their goals.”
Mayor Crombie also highlighted other city-building initiatives that will help small businesses better compete, namely breaking gridlock and building regionally-integrated public transit.
“Council and staff are committed to creating the right environment to help small business owners succeed, like building transit and infrastructure so you can better reach and serve customers,” Mayor Crombie said. “We gather here this evening City Hall which will one day be plugged into the new Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) – the largest infrastructure investment in Mississauga history. We will be walking distance from four different stops that will loop around downtown Mississauga and move workers faster and more efficiently to work.”
As part of our small business efforts, I encourage small business owners to ensure they make workplace mental health a priority by completing the MindsMatter assessment tool, Mayor Crombie said, adding that “My office has partnered with the Healthy City Stewardship Centre and CivicAction to raise awareness about this online tool and the need to address such an important health issue that continues to impact the lives of so many people.”
Mayor Crombie added “We have more planned to help small businesses reach higher. As part of our ongoing efforts to help small businesses and start-up companies we launched First Look – an annual event that brings together entrepreneurs and angel investors looking for their next big opportunity.
“It was at First Look – where experts from GreenSky Capital – got their first look – at AOMS Technologies. First Look put AOMS on course to secure an investment of $925,000 in financing from GreenSky Capital. This funding is enabling the company to expand its sales and marketing efforts and improve product development.
“And we will be back at it again, with our next angel investor networking event in the spring of 2018. Stay tuned for more information once it is available. I also encourage you to join us.”
Mayor Crombie also spoke of the Mayor’s Youth Speaker Series initiative, saying “many of youth face multiple barriers including slow-job growth economies, low-quality jobs, skills mismatch and social discrimination, among others. Research has shown that a strong network and connection to mentors can open doors for youth as they transition into the workforce. These role models provide important support both in navigating the job market as well as helping youth understand the skills and experience required to succeed.”
“Join us on Wednesday, November 22, for the next Mayor’s Youth Speaker Series featuring Dr. Patrick Gunning.” Dr. Gunning is a world-class researcher, scientist and entrepreneur who also serves as Canada Research Chair in Medical Chemistry Professor, Department of Chemical & Physical Sciences University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). The event will take place from 7-9PM at UTM’s Instructional Centre Building. Space is limited and registration is mandatory at www.youthspeakerseries.ca.
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