MINTO – Wellington County council has approved a $20,000 allocation from the county’s Business Retention and Expansion Municipal Implementation Fund to assist the Town of Minto with operation of the LaunchIt Business Exploration Centre in Harriston.
Council approved the funding at the March 25 meeting.
LaunchIt programming provides support for businesses and entrepreneurs in Minto, Mapleton and Wellington North, states a report from director of economic development Crystal Ellis to the county’s economic development committee.
LaunchIt operates with the support of multiple partners, including the Town of Minto, Minto Chamber of Commerce, Business Centre of Guelph Wellington, Saugeen Economic Development Corporation, Wellington Waterloo Community Futures, Innovation Guelph and the Maker’s Collective.
Operating since June 2014, the facility provides local access to training, mentors, networking, office space rentals, and resources to help businesses.
Since opening, more than 5,600 people have accessed services.
“In 2021, LaunchIt will continue deliver services that include options for co-working office space, training sessions, networking opportunities and business advisory services. Actions will occur both virtually and in-person when possible,” Ellis notes in the report.
“These activities help create a positive local business climate, support and retain jobs, and encourage investment in the community.
“This project supports business retention and expansion goals through established business support programs and helps to attract and retain businesses in Wellington County.”
Minto Mayor George Bridge, who chairs the county’s economic development committee. said, “This is something we’ve been working on for a number of years and we’re now sharing with Mapleton and Wellington North … a lot of our webinars and our programs.”
