We are often called on to play tour guide to visitors and investors, and part of the tour always includes main street. A downtown is the heart of any community and if the downtown is strong and growing, it is a good indicator of the community’s economic health. The reaction from these fi rst-time guests is the same – what a wonderful downtown! They comment on the streetscape, the facades, the variety of businesses, the store displays and always the fl owers. Compared to other downtowns, Owen Sound is looking healthy and vibrant. Of course we have some empty stores and want to see more businesses, but overall the downtown is viewed by out-of-town visitors as a positive and welcoming place. It’s going to get even better, with new investment in downtown housing starting to ramp up. Corbet Place on the west harbour is nearly completed. The Sydenham condo project has purchased the Todd’s building from the City. And a site plan has been approved for new condos called the Professional Suites on the top fl oors of the Professional Building. All of these projects represent signifi cant new investment in the downtown. Combined, they will bring close to 90 new housing units to downtown Owen Sound, resulting in 150 to 180 more people living there. These will be people who want to fully experience the downtown, to walk to the Roxy, the galleries and the library, to the coffee shops, the book stores, the restaurants, the harbour and the river views. This new investment will support existing businesses and attract new ones. It will make downtown even more appealing to visitors and investors. It is why the Economic Development and Tourism Department (including the Small Business Enterprise Centre) is assisting these developers in marketing their properties, and Owen Sound as a whole. It’s where we – and others – want to live and prosper.

1. COMMUNITY REPORT
November 2013
Contact The Business Enterprise Centre, Owen Sound & Area
for any assistance and with any questions.
519-371-3232 •173 8th Street East, Owen Sound
www.owensoundbusiness.ca • businesshelp@owensound.ca
Celebrating Business Success
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
& TOURISM
The 10th Annual Bridges to Better Business Conference
held in October illustrated that the ebb and flow of business
development in our community is alive and well.
Over 65 clients and associates of The Business Enterprise
Centre, Owen Sound and Area, gathered to learn about Lean
Practises and Branding for Success. The panel of entrepreneurs,
Tara MacKenzie, Jeffrey Robins and Keith Robinson spoke
of their challenges and gave invaluable advice. The hum of
discussion, people connecting and creating opportunities
showed once again that success starts with knowledge and the
successful businesses are those who truly believe in continuous
learning.
Summer Company 2013
Anja Pink’s business,
Leaping Beaver Beverages
Seven new local student entrepreneurs spent their summer learning about
business while doing what they love. Under the guidance and mentorship
of the Business Enterprise Centre, Summer Company 2013 supported and
mentored these self- starters with up to $1,500 in start-up cash to cover
their expenses. Their summer businesses ranged from squeezing lemons for
lemonade to welding fine art pieces, from woodworking to landscaping.
When they returned back to school, they were rewarded with another $1,500.
This Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment program
continues to encourage youth entrepreneurship as an exciting journey into
experiencing self employment first-hand. If you know someone 15 to 29 who
is returning to school next year, watch for applications to open on-line at
www.summercompany.on.ca or call us for further information.
Unemployed? Start your Own Business!
The Ontario Self Employment Benefit Program provides income and support to eligible persons starting their own
business, and our Business Enterprise Centre co-ordinates the program in Grey and Bruce counties. Find out more
about this supportive mentoring program! The next intake is January so contact us today to learn how to begin to
create your own job, doing what you love.
COMMUNITY REPORT
November 2013
Downtown Owen Sound - Where you want to live!
We are often called on to play tour guide to visitors
and investors, and part of the tour always includes main
street. A downtown is the heart of any community and
if the downtown is strong and growing, it is a good
indicator of the community’s economic health.
The reaction from these first-time guests is the same
– what a wonderful downtown! They comment on the
streetscape, the facades, the variety of businesses, the
store displays and always the flowers. Compared to
other downtowns, Owen Sound is looking healthy and
vibrant. Of course we have some empty stores and
want to see more businesses, but overall the downtown
is viewed by out-of-town visitors as a positive and
welcoming place.
to walk to the Roxy, the galleries and the library, to
the coffee shops, the book stores, the restaurants, the
harbour and the river views.
This new investment will support existing businesses
and attract new ones. It will make downtown
even more appealing to visitors and investors. It
is why the Economic Development and Tourism
Department (including the Small Business Enterprise
Centre) is assisting these developers in marketing
their properties, and Owen Sound as a whole. It’s
where we – and others – want to live and prosper.
It’s going to get even better, with new investment in
downtown housing starting to ramp up. Corbet Place on
the west harbour is nearly completed. The Sydenham
condo project has purchased the Todd’s building from
the City. And a site plan has been approved for new
condos called The Centre Suites3rd the top floors of The
CentreSuites on on Avenue with conProfessional Centre.
struction starting in 2013!
All of these projects represent significant new investment
in the downtown. Combined, they will bring close to 90
new housing units to downtown Owen Sound, resulting
in 150 to 180 more people living there. These will be
people who want to fully experience the downtown,
The Sydenham at Owen Sound
Economic Development & Tourism Department
Economic Development & Tourism Department
www.owensound.ca • www.owensoundtourism.ca
www.owensoundbusiness.ca
www.owensound.ca • www.owensoundtourism.ca
www.owensoundbusiness.ca
Connect with us ...
Connect with us ...

2. COMMUNITY REPORT
November 2013
TOURISM
1,511
1155 First Ave W, Owen Sound • 519-371-9833
www.owensoundtourism.ca
vacation@owensound.ca
COMMUNITY REPORT
Salmon Tour Draws New Crowds
The Owen Sound Salmon Tour – a new tourism product for the area – was
launched in late August along with a new web site, www.greatsalmontour.ca,
a YouTube video (“Owen Sound Salmon Tour”), a new brochure and
on-line promotional campaign.
Tourism Social Media
The Salmon Tour is a 7-kilometre route following the salmon
migration from the harbour to Inglis Falls, with stops along the
e
way on the Sydenham River. It’s a self-guided tour that you
u
can hike, cycle, drive or even paddle. The tour is a partnership
p
between Owen Sound Tourism and BruceGreySimcoe.com
m
(RTO7).
We now have over 1,500 fans on Facebook, and have
reached 1,028 followers on Twitter. To keep up to date with
us on social media, follow us at:
www.facebook.com/OwenSoundTourismandEvents
www.twitter.com/OSTourism
www.youtube.com/OwenSoundTourism
Visitors Using Tourism Services
The tourism office has served close to 8,000 walk-in
customers this year. More than 20 per cent were from
outside Ontario, another 22 per cent were from the
Toronto area and 20 per cent were from outside Grey
and Bruce counties (see chart).
What is drawing them to the Visitor Information
Centre? We polled 100 customers this summer to find
out. Most were “just passing through” the city or staying
for 1-3 hours and came to the Visitor Centre “to hear
about Owen Sound from a tourism expert” and get
information about attractions and events.
What brought them to Owen Sound? About a
third were “just curious.” More than two-thirds were
interested in our waterfalls, attractions and the harbour.
When asked to comment on their experience at the
Visitor Centre, they lauded tourism staff for being
knowledgeable, friendly, and enhancing their visit.
Our on-line campaign for the salmon tour reached close
e
to 30,000 people and the video garnered over 400 views.
s.
Tourism partners such as Grey Sauble Conservation and the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association
n
noted a marked increase in visitation to the mill dam and fish ladder, Inglis Falls and other sites to
o
watch the salmon run.
New Historic Walking Tour, Winter Guide
The Tourism office published two new guides in October – an updated
Historic Walking Tour with four routes covering close to 80 historic properties
in Owen Sound, and a Winter Guide for 2013-2014 detailing a full list
of winter events, exhibits and activities in town. The walking tour brochure
was a joint venture with the City’s Community Services department and
the Winter Guide was produced with the Festival of Northern Lights. Both
publications were printed locally. The Winter Guide’s 60,000 copies will
be distributed by the Tourism office and through insertions in Sun Times
newspapers.
Summer Events
Owen Sound celebrated a record number of special events that
attracted out-of-town visitors this summer, and Tourism staff were
there to greet them at the Hottest Yard Sale Under the Sun, the
Emancipation Festival, Tall Ships, the Salmon Spectacular fishing
derby, Cobble Beach’s Concours D’Elegance and the TOM’s
Canadian Spirit festival. Tall Ships brought more than 10,000 people
to the city’s waterfront and over 1,000 into the Visitor Centre and our
Tourism booth at the site. Other special events last summer included
Ribfest, the Mudtown Music & Arts Festival, the Summerfolk Music &
Crafts Festival, and Streets Alive Buskerfest.
“Really friendly and informative. Best
decision to stop and ask for help.”
The Tourism office appears to be on track in its goal
of extending visitation and encouraging repeat visits
among people “just passing through,” thereby increasing visitor spending in Owen Sound. The longer people stay,
the more likely they are to enjoy a meal, shop, and consider relocating. It appears our online services and printed
collateral complement but do not replace the personalized customer service offered at the Visitor Centre.
Economic Development & Tourism Department
Economic Development & Tourism Department
www.owensound.ca • www.owensoundtourism.ca
www.owensoundbusiness.ca
www.owensound.ca • www.owensoundtourism.ca
www.owensoundbusiness.ca
Connect with us ...
Connect with us ...