Volunteer Week: Same room, same path, big impact!

Hastings County Newsletter

As we come up to Volunteer week, we have the honor to showcase just what volunteers can do when they come together.? Same room, same path, big impact!??

Wildly successful is an understatement! Hastings County in Ontario has had one of the most progressive and exciting years to date.?

SEF is proud to share in praising the Hastings County Economic and Tourism Development successes for 2023. Being a part of the incredible work and growth happening in this County is encouraging and importantly, inspiring. The data is undeniable, Hasting County, its entrepreneurs and economy, is going places.?

Hastings County and its small businesses have been going from strength to strength with entrepreneurs, job creation and investment increasing year over year, supported by the business development approach that SEF stands by; Person centered, trust earned business coaching and support, with passionate volunteers at its heart.?

The support SEF has been a part of:?

1. 58+ hours of training and workshops for small business owner
2. 393+ Business owners and entrepreneurs directly assisted in cross-sectional meetings, coaching and support

These have facilitated:

• 78 projects assisted in 2023 (533 since 2017)
• 379 inquiries/requests for in-depth business assistance (1,905 since 2017)?
• 39 existing businesses assisted (177 since 2017)
• 29 jobs created (166 since 2017)
• 17 businesses opened with in-depth direct business assistance (113 since 2017); 6 expanded, 2 were purchased)
• 32+ local events marketed and attended
• 510,000+ people reached through online marketing
• 170.6 million Spent by overnight visitors at our local businesses
• 1.5 million Spent on startup expansion costs by business owners directly assisted
• 4.5 million Contributed to the local municipal tax base from 765,936 overnight visitors
• 10% increase in money spent at Retail, Travel and Entertainment and Services Businesses

SEF has aligned with the Hastings County Strategic Plan from its inception. Guiding a diverse set of existing and start-up businesses, to overcome obstacles, whatever they may be, through clear, safe and trusted coaching is key,. From relationships earned and passion understood, to connect entrepreneurs and small business owners with valuable resources, has meant significant success for many in Hastings County and we couldn’t be more proud.?

SEF is thrilled to have been a part of the successes so far in Hastings County. In lifting up the passionate, hard-working entrepreneurs and business owners, it was incredible to see the sheer amount of community volunteers making these impactful successes possible.??

Cheers to Volunteers!

Any County can see its economic and social futures brighten in self-propelling, long term growth.?