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Seven Small Business Awarded Grants Through Starter Company Plus

By PKED Comms

[PETERBOROUGH, ON]: This morning, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Business Advisory Centre announced $36,000 in funding to support seven local entrepreneurs with their business growth.

This announcement of funding is for participants in the Fall intake of 2020 for the Starter Company Plus, a Government of Ontario funded program. This program, which has been running since March 2017, supports entrepreneurs in starting, growing or acquiring a business, offering a robust series of workshops to support the creation of a formalized business plan, culminating in the chance to pitch for competitive grant dollars. This intake’s grant recipients are:

NameBusiness NameDescriptionLocation
Debra RagbarKawartha Spice CompanyKawartha Spice Company Inc., is a manufacturer of gluten-free Curry Powder, and Spice Rub Mixes for plant-based, poultry, red meat, seafood recipes and Rim Rubs for Cocktails such as Caesar. Branded as Conversation Tree, these curry powder mix and spice rub mixes are made with a number of pure natural spices selected for their superior flavour and premium quality. Individual mixes are used in recipes such as Jamaican jerk, roasted chickens, roasted rack of lamb, roasted beef tenderloin, roasted pork chops, baked salmon and vegetarian.City of Peterborough  
Lyle SaundersSaunders Tax Service c/o Peterborough Disability Tax ServicesLocally owned and operated by Lyle Saunders, Peterborough Disability Tax Services (PtboDTS.ca) office is at 175 George St N – Office#9; opened in February 2019 within the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. Specializing in the Disability Tax Credit to individuals and caregivers, to not only assist in applications and challenges but also to adjust approved tax credits beyond CRA’s automatic adjustments.   Lyle also runs Saunders Tax Service (c/o PtboDTS.ca) that provides a yearly tax season service to all Peterborough and surrounding households; his motto for this service is “Simple Taxes at a Simple Price”.  City of Peterborough  
Jocelynn VieiraThe Kawartha Craft CompanyThe Kawartha Craft Company produces and sells easy to follow, do it yourself, crafts kits for children of all ages. Kits are stocked with hand-picked local supplies and tested out for ease of use. The Kawartha Craft Company donates kits to local shelters and works with local charities in Peterborough and the Kawarthas to supplement fundraising initiatives. Our kits are a great hands-on, non-screen, creative activity for kids.  Trent Lakes  
Alicia DorisLiving Local BoxLiving Local proudly shares the very best of Peterborough and The Kawarthas through custom gift boxes and seasonal subscription boxes. At a time when living local has never been more important, we’re connecting community members with new ways to love local, shop local, and support small business. One-of-a-kind and ever-evolving selections of artwork, bath and body, food and drink, and lifestyle products, showcase and support individuals and families living and working in the region.Selwyn Township
Susan DunkleySuzi Home MakerDownsizing and moving homes often takes place at emotional or trying times. Experience is needed to help make the right decisions, get the job done quickly, efficiently and with great compassion. Suzi Home Maker is not a one size fits all service. Each move is different, and while standard services are the framework for each move the exact services provided must be tailored to each individual client.
Suzi Home Maker helps with downsizing, de-cluttering, sorting, organizing, selling, donating, disposing, recycling, packing, moving, unpacking, helping people get settled in and clearing estates.
We will provide the emotional support that will be required by the client, or the family members of the homeowners, ensuring that each move is coordinated with care and compassion.
City of Peterborough
Dean & Amy HowleyKing & TupperAt King & Tupper, we offer our customers production and custom wood decor, art, toys, and furniture that are handcrafted in Millbrook, Ontario.


We offer a constantly evolving range of products; from 2D painted wood signs to 3D backlit wood art, rocking giraffes to toddler helper stools. Product development is driven by continuous research on market trends, updates and improvements to existing designs, and customer suggestions and requests. All of our products are crafted in our home-based workshop.
Township of Cavan-Monaghan
Christopher NaylerDouglas WorksDouglas Works offers residential and commercial landscaping, hardscaping and property maintenances services for Peterborough & the Kawarthas.City of Peterborough

“Even throughout a global pandemic, the Stater Company Plus program continues to see incredible local entrepreneurs launching innovative and unique businesses in the community, adding to the growing ecosystem of locally-owned small business in this region,” explains Madeleine Hurrell, the Economic Development Officer who oversees the Starter Company Plus program. “Since this program began in March 2017, we have seen over 149 entrepreneurs supported through the program, with $283,000 grant dollars announced.”

This program has been a key stepping-stone for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to grow in the region and since 2017 has resulted in the creation of 74 startups and supported 47 business expansions. The program has also seen the opening of 22 brick-and-mortar locations in the region, and has created 141 jobs in the local community.

Approximately $1.2M in additional funding and financing through program support has been secured by Starter Company Plus clients.

Winter 2021 Intake

Applications for the winter intake of the Starter Company Plus program will open here on January 1st 2021 at 12:01 am. 

Mandatory Workshop Dates 2021

All successful Starter Company Plus program participants must be able to attend all of the following workshops. Workshops, guest presentations, seminars, and program consultations will be taking place virtually via Zoom for the Starter Company Plus Program.

A program syllabus will be emailed to successful applicants ahead of the program beginning with weekly details.

Monday January 25th, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Monday February 1st, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Monday February 8th, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday February 16th, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Monday February 22nd, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Business Plans submitted: Monday March 1st by 4:00 pm

Video Pitch submitted: Friday March 5th by 4:00 pm

For additional information please contact Keaton Robbins, Corporate Communications Officer, 705.761.3683 or kerobbins@peterboroughed.ca, @PtboEcDev