Waubetek Business Development Corporation “A Community Futures Development Corporation” WAUBETEK NEWS 2019 Featured Businesses this Issue INSIDE THIS ISSUE ➢ Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative ..............pg.2 ➢Burke Stonework and Excavation - Bringing Your Landscape Dreams to Life……………………………………………….pg 3 ➢ M’Chigeeng Freshmart Store…………………………….....pg 4 ➢ Twiggs Coffee Roasters – More than just Coffee………........pg 5 ➢“Picking up Where Mother Nature Leafs Off.”…………………………….…………………….…......pg 6 ➢ WAUBETEK NEWS BRIEFS….. …………………..………pg 7 ➢ Outreach Services Spring 2019………………………....……pg 8 ➢ Touched By The Entrepreneurial Spirit....................................pg 9 ➢ Touched by the Entrepreneurial Spirit Map Guide………....pg 10 ➢ Waubetek Student Bursary Recipients………………..….....pg 11 ➢ Investing in the Aboriginal Business Spirit……………….. .pg 12 ➢ 30 years of Investing and more …………………………….pg 13 Freshly Roasted. Fair Trade. Organic. Waubetek News – Spring 2019 www.waubetek.com 2 New Program - Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative In April, 2019, the Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries working capital and scientific studies is not available through Initiative (NICFI) will formally launch as Canada’s newest NICFI, however. commercial fishing and aquaculture-related program. The Interest in the program was quite intense in late 2018 but aspect of this initiative dealing with commercial fisheries will Waubetek was able to gather funds for a program “soft launch” be delivered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the in order to support nine projects. These ranged from Waubetek Business Development Corporation will be assistance with equipment and infrastructure, expansion of supporting aquaculture developments. NICFI was created to existing operations, feasibility studies, detailed designs, assist Indigenous groups develop commercial fishing and community engagements, business plans, partnership aquaculture operations that will: be economically self- development, and travel for facility visits. Fish species sustaining; create opportunities for capacity building; generate involved in these projects include Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, Indigenous employment opportunities, and demonstrate Walleye, Lake Sturgeon, Lake Whitefish and even Pacific environmental responsibility. White Shrimp. As these projects continue to be completed, we Under the Waubetek Business Development Corporation, look forward to sharing all the successes found. aquaculture support is very broad, covering a wide a spectrum We are very excited to have our official launch of the program of business-related needs and intentions for Indigenous in April 2019 and look forward to working with as many communities, individuals, businesses and organizations as well groups as possible to continue to grow a strong, healthy and as fish species. Eligible projects may include expansions or sustainable Indigenous aquaculture industry. Our Aquaculture upgrades to existing marine fin fish, shellfish, or freshwater Development Officer is always available to provide aquaculture facilities (land-based/open-net pen); equipment, information relating to project funding or with general advice gear, infrastructure for new or expanded aquaculture on anything aquaculture related. operations; acquisition of existing aquaculture operations; For further information about the Northern Integrated feasibility studies, environmental assessments, business plans, Commercial Fisheries Initiative Aquaculture Development and one-time aquaculture operation start-up costs. Funding for Source or aquaculture in general, please contact Nicholas Huber, Aquaculture Development Officer at: [email protected]. The Shawanaga First Nation (SFN) Walleye Enhancement Hatchery will be expanded to release 8-10 million Walleye fry annually back into the open water body and will also expand efforts to produce advanced fingerlings for spring and fall stocking to increase stock survivability. SFN just started a New YouTube channel so interested parties can follow their progress and see the results of the great work being done by Shawanaga Lands and Resources. COMMUNITY EVENT LISTING Waubetek Charity Golf Tournament August 16, 2019, Shotgun Start 10:00 am Save the Date- Waubetek Business Award Gala th Thursday, November 7 2019 Waubetek News – Spring 2019 www.waubetek.com 3 Burke Stonework and Excavation - Bringing Your Landscape Dreams to Life By: Debbie Mishibinijima team as being the main drivers behind his company’s success to Carl Burke, member of the Henvey Inlet First Nation, founded date and planned growth. This means a lot of physical effort on Burke Stonework and Excavation Inc. in 2012. Carl’s fully- the jobsite and many hours ensuring customer satisfaction. equipped, licensed, and experienced team offers full service for When not operating equipment or moving material, Carl takes just about any groundwork required by commercial or residential care of his clients: “I go out and meet my customers, make customers. Carl’s services include: excavating new builds from estimates, put the work in, and then invoice. It is seven days a start to finish; designing, installing and updating septic systems; week when you own your own business.” lot clearing; foundation and site drainage; and stonework for flagstone patios, retaining walls, walkways and stairways. Area Carl is quick to include his family as a vital part of his business. realtors and homeowners can also call upon Carl for septic “My dad worked for me when I first got started. He gave me a system inspections, repairs and options for special installations. hand for the first year and a half. My mom would be there too.” His primary service area includes Bracebridge, Burk’s Falls, His wife, Lindsay, also helped to grow the business and Gravenhurst, Huntsville to the Muskokas, Magnetawan, continues by handling deskwork all the while being a mother of McDougall, McKellar, Parry Sound, Seguin and Whitestone two – one being a newborn infant. townships. Carl’s approach to his business and advice to starting Carl made his career choice early in life and started right by entrepreneurs is straightforward: “If you are going to be working enrolling in and graduating from the Construction Engineering it, you should have no trouble succeeding. Make sure you have a program at Fanshaw College. He worked in construction for good business plan, and all the numbers add up in the business. practical experience until he had enough of a feel for the field so Work hard. If you are willing to put in the hard work, it should he could take his next step which would be to form his own pay off.” company. For estimates or further information, contact Carl From the start, Carl put continuous emphasis on providing a Stonework and Excavating Inc. at: quality service, crediting his professional reputation and skilled [email protected] Phone: (705) 279-1764, Website: Carl-stonework.ca Waubetek News – Spring 2019 www.waubetek.com 4 Shop Local at the M’Chigeeng Freshmart Store By: Debbie Mishibinijima To contact the M’Chigeeng Freshmart, call: 705-377-4345 M’Chigeeng First Nation community members’ dream of having Hours of Operation: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (Monday to Friday) their own full-service grocery store is now a reality. This has 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (Saturday), 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Sunday) been a community vision for about 40 years with efforts in the last five (5) years making it a reality. The M’Chigeeng Freshmart grocery store opened its doors for business on April 4, 2019 with M’Chigeeng First Nation Elders Mike Debassige and Nancy Hare being the first shoppers. The M’Chigeeng First Nation Chief and Council, along with community membership and the HIAH Economic Development Corporation, were the driving forces behind this dynamic business venture. The M’Chigeeng First Nation Grocery Store Board will oversee the Grocery Store Operations. To get to where they are today the HIAH Corporation was tasked with carrying out pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. Early on, it was determined that financing could not be obtained for a grocery store alone, so a change in strategy was needed. Grant Taibossigai, General Manager of HIAH Corporation, shared “We decided we would build a Business Centre with space for a store. This would allow us to build the building and support other businesses.” He then set about finalizing the business plan and seeking the $5.2 million needed for the overall project financing. Grant succeeded in arranging investment backing for the project through equity contributions from the M’Chigeeng First Nation, long term debt financing, and the Waubetek Business Development Corporation. Much research went into the planning of the venture. The 6,250 sq. ft. grocery store was to be built to scale and consistent with the market area economy, demographics, and customer demand. Following careful review of options, Loblaw’s Freshmart franchise was chosen for its wide selection of grocery and household items. Thus, the name for the store – M’Chigeeng Freshmart – came about. A further benefit to the community is the creation of jobs. To start, 20% of the local labor and local contractors was confirmed as a requirement with the Construction Contractor. In addition, 20 community members have been trained in public relations, customer service and cash register operation. These staff will fill twelve full-time positions as well as eight ‘on call’ positions. Principal positions were also filled locally with Steven Debassige as Store Manager and Cheyenne