August 29, 2011

From left to right: EBRC GM, John Regan; President of ICE Board, Susan M. Gardner; ICE Business Development Manager, Delia Reiche; Minister of State, The Honourable Gary Goodyear; MP for EML, Joe Preston.

ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO -- The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario), visited St. Thomas Tuesday for a first-hand tour of St. Thomas/Elgin County’s first mixed-used business incubator, the Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurs, known as ICE. Dr Goodyear was joined by Joe Preston MP for Elgin-Middlesex-London and Susan M. Gardner President of the ICE Board of Directors, and Executive Editor of Municipal World magazine.

It was the first time the Minister had come through Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC) and toured the recently opened ICE facility.  Dr. Goodyear was very interested to hear about the ICE program and learn how the business acceleration program impacts small business owners.

ICE client Darren Connelly, owner Allsource Depot, described the ICE program to Dr. Goodyear as “taking his business to school”. Heather Baker, owner Elgin Maid said, “I am so much more productive working from a professional office than I was at home”. The ICE Program acts as a catalyst to business owners, helping them to accelerate their business growth and success. The Program offers a variety of resources including business counselling and consulting, entrepreneurial training, mentorship, physical space, common services, and networking connections. The Program also supports and encourages ways for small business owners to give back to the community.

“EBRC and ICE are all about job creation, business growth and providing tools that will generate long-term sustainability. We know that our role in the economic development of the region is a vital component in rebuilding and restructuring St. Thomas and Elgin County,” said John Regan, General Manager, EBRC. “It is gratifying to know that our government recognizes the importance of investing in businesses and not-for-profit organizations in southern Ontario.”

The Government of Canada's Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is a two-year $1-billion economic stimulus measure announced as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. FedDev Ontario was created as part of this Plan to support businesses and communities in southern Ontario. Now in its second year of operation, the Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy.

 

About ICE:

The Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurs (ICE) is a mixed-use business incubator. ICE offers clients the right mix of counselling, mentoring, administrative support, and a professional location, to help businesses succeed. The construction of ICE was made possible through the dedication of the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation, the EBRC, and an $800,000 contribution from the Government of Canada’s Community Adjustment Fund.

Additional funds were also contributed through the generosity of ICE sponsors.

ICE is a partnership between the St. Thomas EDC (Economic Development Corporation), the EBRC, (Elgin Business Resource Centre) and the Government of Canada. The County of Elgin is also a major supporter of ICE, co-funding the Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) which aids in the delivery of some ICE services. ICE is collocated with the EBRC and the Small Business Enterprise Centre at 300 South Edgeware Road in St. Thomas.

For additional information please contact 519-633-519-7597 - Delia Reiche ext 332 or John Regan ext 334

http://www.iceinnovation.ca