The diversity of L&A County's businesses and organizations was once again higlighted at the annual Economic Development Awards held in Napanee on November 17th. 

The 2011 L&A Economic Development Awards are quickly approaching, the date set for November 17th. While the award presentations to the County's finest businesses and entrepreneurs is always the highlight, a very close second is the keynote speaker that has been secured for the evening.

The County of Lennox & Addington, Economic Development Department, is seeking nominations for the 2011 Lennox & Addington Economic Development Awards. The 6th annual event, highlighting L&A's finest businesses and entrepreneurs, is being held at the Strathcona Paper Centre in Napanee on Thursday, November 17, 2011 beginning at 7 pm.

Marketing with social media tools like Facebook and Twitter are becoming more commonplace for businesses looking to promote their product or service.  A recent "how to" social media workshop introduced a number of new business owners to this inexpensive marketing technique that has many opportunities to create a loyal community of would-be customers.

Broadband is coming to Eastern Ontario with the help of the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus Inc. and the financial support of the federal and provincial governments along with the private sector.

The Creative Rural Economy – From Theory to Practice conference is a unique and interesting way to learn about the creative economy and how it relates to Eastern Ontario. The multi-location conference offers participants an opportunity to experience sessions in a university setting as well as in the heart of creative rural Ontario. The conference runs from June 14th-15th.

Are you looking for a loan to start or grow your small business? The Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) can help. By sharing the risk with your financial institution, the program may help you to secure up to $500,000.

A significant number of established small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are currently only connected to the Internet or are passively on-line, and might not be taking advantage of the possibilities offered by e-business. The Small Business Internship Program seeks to improve the competitiveness of SMEs by supporting businesses to actively market on-line and improve their competitiveness with e-business practices and technologies.

The absolute success of any business is making sure that you surround yourself with individuals who are better and happier than you at doing some of the key requirements of your business.

Tracey Snow is Lennox & Addington County's Enterprise Facilitator.  As she travels the roads throughout Lennox & Addington County meeting new and existing business owners, she has an appreciation that Spring is on the way. The change in seasons seems to bring an added level of ethusiasm and excitement to her clients as they are drawn toward their true callings in their business life.