Small Business Season
ONGOING
Seasonal Storefront Enhancement Program
A new grant program for businesses in Kenora called the Seasonal Storefront Enhancement Program (SSEP). This program will allow businesses to start enhancing their storefronts for the fall and winter seasons. This program is made for businesses, building owners, or a combination of both. In partnership with LOWBIC, Harbourtown Biz, City of Kenora
ALL MONTH LONG IN OCTOBER!
Small Business Photo Month
A free photography program offering local businesses professional headshots, storefront photos, or product photos by appointment.
Local businesses can contact LOWBIC to schedule a free 30-minute photography session at a time that works for the business, LOWBIC, and the Chamber of Commerce. During the session, businesses can have professional headshots, storefront photos, product photos, or a combination taken based on their needs. Once the photos have been processed, they will be sent directly to the business contact. In partnership with LOWBIC, Chamber of Commerce
INTAKE OPENS OCTOBER 1
Community Improvement Plan
The City is now accepting applications through its Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for projects planned in 2027. The intake period will be open from October 1 to November 30, 2026, providing property owners, businesses, developers, and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to access grants and incentives that support investment, revitalization, and growth throughout the community. Delivered by the City of Kenora
October 8
Scaling Your Food Business
VIRTUAL // 9:00AM – 12:30PM
This interactive workshop is designed primarily for food manufacturing businesses that have products in market and are looking to grow. While the content is tailored to food businesses, many of the concepts will also be relevant to businesses in other sectors. Presented by Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
October 8
Community Improvement Plan Coffee Connect
October 8
Leveraging Community Relationships with Amanda Kristalovich
KDCC Boardroom, 101 Park Street (rear entrance) // 12:00 – 1:00PM
This session is for business owners and nonprofit leaders. We’ll look at partnership and collaboration options that allow you to reach more clients and customers, support each other, and make a bigger difference in our community. There will be opportunities to share what you’ve learned from relevant experiences and hear from others. Presented by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce
October 8
YPN Kenora
October 14
Small Business Funding with NOHFC
KDCC Boardroom, 101 Park Street (rear entrance) // 12:00 – 1:00PM
Learn more about funding program possibilities with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, presented by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce, in support of small businesses and non-profit organizations. Presented by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce
October 20
Business Funding and Support Open House
Rotary Room, Moncrief Construction Sports Centre (18 Mike Richards Way, Kenora) // 3:30 – 6:00PM
Looking to start or expand your business? This event brings funding partners and business support organizations together in one place, making it easy to learn about available programs, ask questions, and connect with the right resources for your business. This is a drop-in event, so stop by anytime during the event. We hope to see you there! Presented by the Kenora Business Partners
October 21
Your Next Big Idea — NOHFC Information Session
October 22
Business Appreciation Reception
Lake of the Woods Brewing Company (350 Second Street South, Kenora) // 5:00 – 7:00PM
Thank you Kenora businesses! Come celebrate with us. Join us for complimentary refreshments and appetizers. Drop in at your leisure! Sponsored by Northern Credit Union
October 26
HACCP for Food Manufacturers
VIRTUAL // 9:00AM – 12:30PM
This is a workshop around the 7 HACCP principles in plain language; hazard analysis breakout by product type (dressing, cookies, pre-mix); traceability, lot coding & one-up-one-back recordkeeping; mock recall walkthrough; hands-on recordkeeping template. Presented Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
October 28
What Employers Need to Know About Health and Safety
VIRTUAL // 9:00 – 10:00AM
This session will provide a practical overview of what employers need to know about health and safety in the workplace, including key responsibilities, important considerations, and best practices for creating a safer work environment. Whether you are reviewing your current approach or looking for a clearer understanding of your obligations, this session will offer valuable insight to support your business or organization. This presentation will be delivered by Leah Stus, Health & Safety Consultant, Northwestern Ontario from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS). Presented by the Northwest Business Centre
October 28
Meet and Greet with the KDCC Board
Boston Pizza, 223 Main Street South // 5:00 – 8:00PM
Meet and Greet with the board members of the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce, and learn more about available supports and opportunities provided by the KDCC. Hosted in partnership with Boston Pizza. Presented by the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce
November 5
Immigration Pathways for Employers: Understanding OINP and Federal Programs
RSVP required, in person event // 11:00AM – 12:30PM
This session will provide regional employers with an overview of temporary and permanent immigration pathways and programs that support hiring skilled foreign workers, with a focus on the new Ontario Workforce Priority stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Presentations from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the OINP will highlight relevant programs and eligibility requirements and encourage participants to liaise with IRCC’s Dedicated Services Channel and OINP’s dedicated Business services for employers. Presented by the City of Kenora
NOVEMBER 17
Safety Essentials Workshop: How to build a Psychologically Safe Workplace
RSVP required, in person event // 8:00AM – 12:00PM
In today’s rapidly evolving workspaces, creating environments that prioritize psychological health and safety is essential for fostering employee well-being, engagement, and productivity. Numerous factors impact the mental and emotional safety of your workplace. By closely examining how work is organized and how people are managed and supported, you can cultivate a culture of care. This session will explore the connection between creating a psychologically safe workplace and the positive impacts on workers’ ability to thrive. Walk away with simple tools and strategies, gaining the confidence to help you on your journey. In partnership with the City of Kenora and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services
NOVEMBER 17
Safety Essentials Workshop: How to Identify Hazards and Risks in your Workplace
RSVP required, in person event // 2:00 – 4:00PM
Safety starts with identifying hazards. Some are obvious, staring us in the face, but others can be challenging to identify. And once you’ve got a hazard on your hands, now what? Learn more about the RACE process of hazard recognition or identification, risk assessment methodologies, control options, and the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of controls, and learn the value of a coordinated hazard identification and risk assessment system. Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies that they can apply in their workplaces to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls. In partnership with the City of Kenora and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services
December 1
Staying Competitive: Modern Approaches to Talent Retention
Save the Date! Registration will open mid-October // RSVP required, in person event
Learn practical strategies to attract, engage, and retain employees in today’s competitive labour market. This session will explore common retention challenges, candidate attraction, compensation, employee engagement, career conversations, succession planning, and leadership development. Participants will gain practical approaches they can use to strengthen their workforce and support long-term business growth. This workshop is delivered by People First HR. Presented by the City of Kenora
GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Conference and Corporate Events Grant
Identified as a priority project in the annual Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) program, this funding will support conference and corporate events to be hosted in the City between March 1 to May 31, 2026, or from October 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. Organizations can apply for 25 percent of eligible costs to a maximum of $5,000 for these events that will generate overnight stays at accommodations collecting the MAT and create economic benefit in the City. Funded by the City of Kenora Municipal Accommodation Tax