Parry Sound Area Community Business & Development Centre Inc. - CFDC

05/27/2026

Applications are LIVE! Got a big idea? Venture North Bay Pitch is your chance to shine ✨

Pitch your business, gain exposure, and connect with a community that wants to see you win.

🗓 Deadline: THIS COMING MONDAY, June 1st
🔗 Apply: https://tinyurl.com/Venture-Pitch
🎤 Attend the pitch event: https://tinyurl.com/37zf7rxm

Don’t wait—apply now or come support local founders!

05/25/2026

🚨 Great opportunity alert for those who own/operate an Agricultural or Agri-food business in Northern Ontario!

If being a vendor at this year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (November 6-15) is something you’re interested in, please shoot Susan an email at [email protected] to get more info about possible financial assistance from FedNor.

🐮🐴🐑🦙🐓🐇🐷

05/25/2026

Final reminder: the Ontario Made Awards Webinar is happening tomorrow from 12:00 - 1:00 PM.

If you’ve been thinking about applying, this is your opportunity to get a clear look at this year’s program, including updated categories, eligibility, the nomination process, and what makes a strong submission.

Plus, you'll have the chance to hear directly from past award winners as they share insights into their experience with the Awards.

Get the clarity you need before submitting your application.
Register now: https://loom.ly/_M6E4IQ

05/22/2026

Join us for a Public Open House on the Core Area Parking Plan and share your input on future parking options in the downtown area of Parry Sound! We welcome residents, businesses, and visitors to stop by on Thursday, June 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Bobby Orr Community Centre.

Learn more at parrysound.ca/parkingstudy

05/21/2026

⬇️ Please consider lending your voice.

📣 A Call to Action to Protect Local Education, Healthcare, and Workforce Development in West Parry Sound 📣

The decision to close Canadore College’s Parry Sound Campus in late April/early May of next year is one that will be felt across our entire region — by students, families, employers, healthcare providers, local businesses, and future generations of workers.

This campus is more than a place of learning. It is a pathway to opportunity right here at home.

For West Parry Sound, local access to programs like Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker training is critical. These programs help support the workforce pipeline for West Parry Sound Health Centre, long-term care, home care, retirement living, and other essential healthcare services in our area. In a rural region where recruitment and retention are already ongoing challenges, removing local training options creates another barrier for both students and employers.

The potential of the Parry Sound Campus is also much bigger than healthcare alone.

With the right partnerships, this campus could help strengthen workforce development in skilled trades, aviation, marine and Coast Guard-related sectors, early childhood education, business, tourism, and more. These are real needs in our community, and this campus has the potential to be part of the solution.

We are asking all levels of government, Canadore College decision makers, municipalities, local businesses, community stakeholders, and residents to recognize what is at stake.

We need voices from across West Parry Sound to speak up and share why this campus matters.

Please use the Community Advocacy Toolkit to reach out to the contacts provided and express your concerns. We are urging Canadore College to seriously reconsider this decision — or, at minimum, to come to the table with local municipalities, businesses, healthcare partners, and stakeholders to explore a solution that keeps the campus open and operating for its intended purpose.

This is about more than a building.

It is about access to education.
It is about healthcare capacity.
It is about workforce development.
It is about keeping opportunity in West Parry Sound.

📣 Community Advocacy Toolkit:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MGnGPj9V49Q9jCIjdJ3bK1JSRBVxN4YyLLMulPI-wlU/edit?usp=drivesdk

To request a PDF copy of the toolkit, please email [email protected].

Now is the time for every level of government, every local partner, and every concerned resident to understand how important this campus is to the future of our region.

Let’s work together to keep post-secondary education and workforce training in West Parry Sound.

Graydon Smith
Scott Aitchison
103.3 Moose FM - CKLP
CTV News
CBC News
Town of Parry Sound
Seguin Township
The Municipality of McDougall
Carling Township
Township Of McKellar
Whitestone Municipality
Township of The Archipelago
Wasauksing First Nation Administration
Shawanaga First Nation Administration

05/20/2026

Have a business idea or growing startup? Venture North Bay Pitch is your opportunity to get noticed! This event brings together entrepreneurs, community leaders, investors, and support organizations to help local businesses grow and thrive. It’s not just about pitching — it’s about building connections and discovering the resources available to help take your business to the next level. Through IION, Northern Ontario Angels and our regional partners, participants can explore programs and services that support: 💡 Innovation & commercialization 📈 Business growth & scaling 🤝 Mentorship & networking 💰 Funding opportunities 🚀 Startup and entrepreneur support Come showcase your idea, build valuable relationships, and learn how our regional ecosystem can support your business journey.

🗓️ Applications close on June 1
🔗 Apply here: https://app.dealum.com/ #/company/application/new/129412/qwrmsm60t5kk2lbr2hdww076fo4a4695

If you did not want to participate but are interested in seeing the pitches and supporting local founders, you can also attend the live event: Register to attend here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/venture-north-bay-pitch-tickets-1979736091944

More information can also be found on the IION Event Page - www.iion.ca/events

05/20/2026

Calling all Parry Sound area Not-for-Profit and Charity staff and Board members!

Are your corporate records up to date?
Do you know which filings your organization is legally required to complete?

Join us for a practical Lunch & Learn with GovernWell focused on the essential corporate record keeping and filing requirements every Ontario non-profit and charity needs to understand under ONCA and CRA requirements.

Topics include:
✔ Annual filings & deadlines
✔ Required records & registers
✔ Governance risks & compliance
✔ Best practices for document management

📅 Thursday, June 11, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Canadore College – Parry Sound Campus
🎟️ Register here: www.cbdc.parrysound.on.ca/events/lunch-learn/
Bring your lunch!
Space is limited.

05/15/2026

Local Business Mastermind Pilot 💡
A facilitated conversation for local employers and business owners brought to you by Susan Poole, Business Opportunity Coach. This pilot Mastermind Session is designed to create a space for honest, practical conversation among local business owners and employers.
📅June 9th, noon
📍Parry Sound Area CB&DC: 1A Church Street, Parry Sound
🍴Bring your lunch!
For more information or to reserve your spot contact: Susan Poole [email protected]

05/13/2026

Proud to wear our "Ask Me I Live Here" buttons! Contact Chris at the Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce to get yours! Thanks to the Chamber and Parry Sound Downtown for bringing this initiative to life!

05/12/2026

Intro to QuickBooks with Beattie Balanced Books this morning at Canadore College Parry Sound Campus. Thanks The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound Inc. for the collaboration in hosting this workshop!