The Slice - Edition #3

Opportunity Awaits!

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The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) intake is now open!

The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a local funding initiative designed to help small businesses and property owners invest in their future. From façade upgrades to energy-efficient improvements, the CIP offers financial support to boost curb appeal, attract customers, and strengthen our community.

Whether you're launching a new business or upgrading an existing one, now’s the time to apply for funding that supports growth and revitalization.

• Enhance your property
• Strengthen your business
• Make a positive impact

Apply from September 2 to 26, 2025

Unlock Your Business Potential!

Stay in the Know – What’s New in Clarence-Rockland

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Planning a large-scale event in our amazing community?

Whether it involves live music, tents, food and cooking, a bar, fireworks — or even a good old-fashioned bingo — we want to be part of it… from the very beginning!

Here are a few elements that require special attention:

• Sale of food and alcohol
• Raffles, bingo, or lottery activities
• Tents or shelters larger than 60 square metres
• Performances or amplified music on a stage
• Increased traffic or road closures
• Fireworks

Include us in your planning!

Contact us at least 60 days in advance at 613-446-6022 or info@clarence-rockland.com — we will be happy to help!

Showcase Your Program at the Programming Open House

Do you offer a class or recreational program? Are you looking to attract new members to your social club? Are you organizing a winter camp? Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your activities!

Participation in this event is completely free and will allow you to present your offerings to residents of the municipality. A table and two chairs will be provided, giving you the chance to connect with the public and even register participants on-site.

Event Details: 

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025  

Time: Open House from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  

Location: Optimist Performance Hall, 1535 du Parc Avenue, Rockland

Join the Open House

Grow with Confidence - Explore Funding

• Prescott and Russell Development Corporation - Investment Fund Loan: aims to create and maintain permanent full-time and part-time jobs in the region by providing new and existing businesses a source of funding that offers a flexible repayment schedule.
• Prescott and Russell Development Corporation - Young Entrepreneur Loan: This program is designed to support young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 in starting, acquiring, expanding, and modernizing their businesses.
• Rural Ontario Development Program: Get funding to help create strong businesses, boost economic growth, project jobs and impove infrastructure in small communities.
• 2025/2026 Partnership Fund Guidelines: RTO 9's Partnership Fund initiative is designed to collaborate with the region’s tourism businesses to grow tourism in South Eastern Ontario.
• Export Development Canada (EDC): Credit insurance, foreign exchange guarantees, and market expansion support

• Work-Sharing Program: Helps retain staff during slowdowns

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  Fuel your Business Growth

  Education Opportunities:

• Rural Change Makers Info Session: Join us for an engaging information session to learn more about the Rural Change Makers Program - a free, 12-month leadership program for young adults between the ages of 18 – 35 from across Ontario.
• RTO 9 Designing Graphics with Canva Webinar: Join RTO 9 and JBC | Pushing Digital Boundaries to get started on creating professional and easy-to-create visual content to help you elevate your design game without feeling overwhelmed.
• RTO 9 What Even is ChatGPT? Webinar: Learn what ChatGPT is, how it works, and why it might just be the surprisingly helpful assistant your tourism business didn’t know it needed.

Explore more resources here

Attention Farm Owners – Help Grow Ontario’s Agritourism Industry!

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Agritourism Ontario is conducting a province-wide Agritourism Farm Visitors Survey to better understand the economic impact of agritourism and identify opportunities to support and grow this vibrant sector.

If your farm offers experiences such as pick-your-own produce, farm tours, overnight stays, or other visitor activities, we encourage you to share the survey with your guests. Their feedback will provide valuable insights into visitor motivations, spending, and satisfaction — helping us advocate for resources and policies that benefit agritourism operators like you.

Please consider posting the survey link at your farm, sharing it on social media, or including it in your customer communications.

Together, we can highlight the value of agritourism and ensure its continued success across Ontario.

Share the visitor Survey!

Jardin Boulay Garden

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Nestled along Rollin Road, Jardin Boulay is a 100-acre farm growing everything from berries and tomatoes to cabbage, kale, and newly added cherries. Operated by Mary Lynn, who took over her father’s former hobby farm, Jardin Boulay has grown into a vibrant local business rooted in tradition and care. 

Since 2010, their market stand on Laurier Street has been the heart of their business, open Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until the fall. It’s where locals go for fresh, seasonal produce and a friendly face. 

Market stand: Laurier Street, Rockland 
Open: Thursday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 

Follow on Facebook: Jardin Boulay Garden | Rockland ON | Facebook