“Middlesex … Development Matters” dated

Middlesex
...Development Matters
Summer 2011
JULY 12, 2011
Page 1 of 4
11. C. 18 - CW INFO
The Business Help Centre - A Community Futures Development Corporation of Middlesex County
Inside This Issue
Revitalizing Strathroy (cover story) ..............1
Revitalizing Strathroy (cont)...........................2
The Road to Success: A Client Profile ............3
What’s New.....................................................4
TOURISM GUIDE
Middlesex
WE’RE ON THE WAY
Revitalizing Downtown
Strathroy.....
one building at a
time
Kathleen Anderson has worn many hats in her life as a buyer,bookkeeper,
customer service representative, and retailer, but nothing compares to
her latest. Wearing her hard hat and tool belt, Kathleen is on a mission
to revitalize the downtown core of Strathroy – one building at a time.
Realizing the demographics in Strathroy are changing, as most
business owners are reaching the age of 65 and ready to sell their
property, Kathleen recognized a real need to update the facades
of the buildings on Front Street. Her vision to once again have a
bustling downtown core is slowly becoming a reality as fresh, young
entrepreneurs are willing to open new, trendy businesses in town.
Middlesex County • Ontario • Canada
2011 Official Tourism Guide
www.middlesextourism.ca | 1.866.205.1188
2011
Middlesex
...WE’RE ON THE WAY
Middlesex
We’re On The Way
2011
now available
22423 Jefferies Road, Unit 6
Kilworth Business Park
For further information, phone
519-641-6100 or visit
www.thebusinesshelpcentre.ca
JULY 12, 2011
Page 2 of 4
Derby, creating a muli-purpose
building. The newly restored
building has two very succesful businesses - a bridal
shop and scrapbooking
store - and 8 fully refurbished
modernized apartments com-
Community Futures
Development Corporation
of Middlesex County
The Business Help Centre
22423 Jefferies Road,
Unit 6, RR#5
Komoka, ON N0L 1R0
Phone: 519-641-6100
Toll Free: 1-866-205-1188
Fax: 519-641-6288
www.thebusinesshelpcentre.ca
Connect with us!
Facebook:
The Business Help Centre
of Middlesex County
Twitter:
@CFDCMiddlesex
LinkedIn group:
The Business Help Centre
of Middlesex County
The Staff
Cara A. Finn
General Manager
Brian Chalmers
Business & Loans Advisor
Bev Pfau
CED Officer
Sherri Sword
Receptionist
Andrea Webb
Business Development Intern
GO GREEN!
To receive an email copy of
the newsletter bi-monthly,
please email
reception@thebusinesshelpcentre.ca
subject line of
‘Subscribe to Newsletter’
11. C. 18 - CW INFO
......cont from pg.1
Acknowledging that many of these
individuals do not have the wherewithal to fix up the old, tired buildings, Kathleen stepped in and began giving Strathroy’s downtown a
facelift. She explains, “Strathroy is
a great place, but it needed some
work. Too many people are driving
to London for specialty items, when
those dollars need to stay in town.”
Living in Strathroy for nearly 20
years and raising her own family here, like many of the town’s
residents, Kathleen has enjoyed
Strathroy’s parks, libraries, recreational facilities and local businesses. Wanting to bring back the
vibrant atmosphere, Kathleen began her mission by restoring the
well-known Derby. Entirely gutted,
and using only the frame of the
building, Kathleen renovated the
plete with hardwood floors, quartz
countertops, 800 series doors
and Moen faucets.
“I could
never rent something I wouldn’t
live in myself” she proclaims.
Not finished, Kathleen has moved
on to purchase the old Home
Hardware building. While only in
the beginning stages, she already
envisions another bright storefront with large merchandising
windows for displays to attract
the town’s local shoppers. “I
want clients to succeed. I work
hard to make their businesses
look great with lighting, flooring, and windows. These are very
important elements to consider
when redesigning a building.”
When asked what she has planned
next, Kathleen says she’s not sure.
One thing she does know, however,
is that she is not done yet! “As
long as there are buildings to be
purchased and renovated, I will fill
them with exciting new businesses.”
To Finance Your Business Needs
We now offer business loans up to
$150,000
For more information,
phone 519-641-6100 or email
businessandloans@thebusinesshelpcentre.ca
-2-
JULY 12, 2011
Page 3 of 4
11. C. 18 - CW INFO
- The Road to Success: A Client Profile -
Jefferson Junction Family Campground,
owned and operated by husband and
wife team – Ron and Terry Jefferson
– offers a friendly, family-oriented
campground for seasonal, nightly and
year-round enjoyment. The 100 acre
site, nestled in a wooded area with a
quiet stream meandering through, is
located just outside of Appin, Ontario,
in the municipality of Southwest
Middlesex. The couple purchased the
deteriorated campground in November
2002, and has since made significant
upgrades to the park’s appearance,
facilties and overall quality.
As of Spring 2011, Jefferson Junction
offers their customers 140 spacious
campsites, of which 10 are year-round
serviced site with full amenities, 65
are seasonal sites with hydro, water
and sewer, and 65 are transient sites
with hydro and water only.
The
park also features a 6,854 sq. foot
multifunctional building used as living
quarters, recreational hall and storage.
It also houses common showers and
washroom facilities. In addition to
this, Jefferson Junction has a separate
park store and canteen, features a
large ‘L’ shaped swimming pool, tennis
courts, a shuffleboard area, children’s
playground, horseshoe pits, mini golf,
hiking trails and picnic areas for every
camper to enjoy.
Terry’s love for campgrounds started at
a very early age as her family owned a
campground in Southwestern Ontario.
It was not long before she was actively
involved in running it. She introduced
Ron to the industry when they first
met nearly 30 years ago, and he too
benefited from it. Together Ron and
Terry have a combined 50 years of
experience working in the campground
industry. Ron takes care of daily
maintenance of campground facilities,
while Terry oversees the day-to-day
operations. When asked what the
most rewarding part of being a small
business owner is, they both smile and
say “it’s the campers and our love of
camping.”
While Ron and Terry have been
previous clients of The Business Help
Centre of Middlesex County, it wasn’t
until 2009 that everything started to
-3-
fall into place for the owners. Working
determinedly on the Jefferson’s
behalf, to get them the funding they
needed, Brian Chalmers, Business and
Loans Advisor for The Business Help
Centre, was able to provide financial
assistance in conjunction with the Sand
Plains Community Development Fund.
Terry explains that one of the many
challenges of a being a small business
owner is “getting funding to do what
is required to upkeep the business”.
They [The Business Help Centre team]
provided the assistance we needed, and
it was a fantastic experience. ” These
funds went to much needed upgrades
to many of the park’s facilities and
will allow Ron and Terry to introduce
another 80 campsites in the future.
As a long-term goal, Ron and Terry
anticipate a campground with 250
fully-serviced sites filled with friendly
faces year after year.
Jefferson Junction
Ron & Terry Jefferson, Owners
4838 Switzer Drive,
Appin, ON N0L 1A0
519-289-2100
JULY 12, 2011
Page 4 of 4
WHAT’S NEW............
11. C. 18 - CW INFO
visit us at:
www.scorbusinessportal.com
SCOR EDC is excited to launch its new SCOR Business Portal to support
entrepreneurs across South Central Ontario to start and expand their businesses.
All of the information on the site is specific to this region. It is the first site of its
LL
kind that is regionally focused in Canada.
FU
TOURISM GUIDE
IO
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MIDDLESEX
AT
WE’RE ON THE WAY 2011
TR
SOCIAL MEDIA TRAINING
TOURISM GUIDE
Middlesex
EG
IS
with MELISSA SCHENK
WE’RE ON THE WAY
2011
R
Gain Centre in Strathroy - June 22/11
Middlesex County • Ontario • Canada
FULLY FURNISHED OFFICE SPACE
AVAILABLE FOR RENT
2011 Official Tourism Guide
www.middlesextourism.ca | 1.866.205.1188
Middlesex
...WE’RE ON THE WAY
(within our office)
DAILY/WEEKLY/MONTHLY RATES AVAILABLE
call for details 519-641-6100
-4-
NOW AVAILABLE