Welcome to our second economic development newsletter produced on behalf of Elgin County Council and the Department of Community and Cultural Services.

Our newsletter series is designed to inform our region, and the world at large, about why Elgin County is a special place for business. There are many reasons why we are optimistic about our future. This newsletter, like the first, tells you about some of the excellent businesses we have in our County and why they are continuing to prosper.

SCOR Update
June 4, 2009

Representatives of Elgin County and four other counties in south central Ontario have agreed on a plan to improve the vitality, sustainability and diversification of the regional economy.

If the plan is approved by the councils of the five counties, implementation could begin by mid-2009 with an exciting series of initiatives to stimulate economic growth in agriculture, the energy and environment industries, manufacturing, tourism, cultural and quality-of-life projects, and infrastructure.

Koolen Electric
June 4, 2009

Canadians have recently become actively interested in conserving energy and protecting the environment, but Elgin County and its businesses have been doing this for a long time. A case in point is Koolen Electric.

Operated by the husband-and-wife team of Peter and Gayle Koolen along with Sons, Andy and Tim, near the town of Aylmer in the Township of Malahide, the company has been installing and maintaining geothermal heating systems since 1980.

Great Lakes Farms
June 4, 2009

One glance at the cheery website of Great Lakes Farms, www.greatlakesfarms.ca, will show why this is one of Elgin County’s most popular agribusinesses.

The site with its colourful images points to many reasons why people like to visit the farm in the Township of Southwold. For instance, the fall 2008 harvest season
attracted more than 2,500 people to pick their own apples at the friendly, family-owned farm, which draws visitors from all over Southwestern Ontario and beyond.

International Erosion Control System
June 4, 2009

Elgin County is becoming known for its innovative companies in the energy and environment sector. But did you know that it is home to one of the world’s leading
producers of erosion-control products?

Technology from this company, located in the village of Rodney in the Municipality of West Elgin, is being used internationally to prevent the erosion of land. It is
protecting property and lives, too.

Central Helicopter Training Academy
June 4, 2009

A high-flying new business has arrived in Elgin County. You can see its new home nearing completion as you drive by the St. Thomas Municipal Airport on Highway
3 in Central Elgin.

When completed by late spring, that light grey, 12,000-square-foot hangar with the brick façade facing the highway will be the headquarters of the Central Helicopter Training Academy. The business has been operating since October 2008 and now has four students training to be private or professional helicopter pilots.

Dancing Creek: Adventures in Balance
June 4, 2009

The story of a unique company called Dancing Creek: Adventures in Balance illustrates both the natural attractions of Elgin County and the entrepreneurial spirit
of the people who operate its growing businesses.

Laura and Paul Donelan have used their expertise in working with children to build a thriving retreat centre in the village of Vienna in the Municipality of Bayham. Opened in 2005, Dancing Creek: Adventures in Balance (www.dancingcreek.ca) offers space and/or programs for therapeutic adventure, earth education and general wellness.

Federal and provincial budgets
June 4, 2009

Attention entrepreneurs! Now is the time to consider investments in new or expanded businesses in the agribusiness, energy & environment, manufacturing and tourism sectors in Elgin County.

The federal and provincial governments have introduced significant incentives in their 2009 budgets to support investors in these sectors. That’s on top of the already important advantages that Elgin County offers because of its strategic location and extensive transportation infrastructure, low business costs and well-established industrial clusters backed by a skilled labour force.