Northwest Business Centre

10/01/2026

Your Next Big Idea — NOHFC Information Session

🌟Date: October 21, 2026
🌟Time: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Discover how the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund can help your business launch or grow at this virtual session on October 21 at 9 a.m. Representatives will give a quick overview of key funding programs and explain who’s eligible, what projects are supported, and how to apply. Business owners will have the chance to ask questions and connect directly with program experts. If you're looking to expand, innovate, or launch something new, this session will show you how NOHFC funding can help make it happen.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/bUhECR7HFqMGTPp76e or at the link in bio!

09/25/2026

Did you know that BDC has a free step by step guide for entrepreneurs to help you improve your cash flow management skills?

Discover ways to manage cash flow for your business. Learn how forecasting sales and inventory and shortening customer payment terms can improve your cash conversion cycle.

Discover how to improve your business’s cash flow. Forecast sales, measure your cash conversion cycle and your customers to pay their invoices faster.

09/10/2026

📢 Employers in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts — this session is for you!

Are you looking to hire skilled foreign workers? Join us for a free virtual information session on Ontario’s immigration programs and pathways for employers.

The session will include updates on Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), including the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, as well as information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Representatives from IRCC and OINP will provide information on:
✔️ Temporary and permanent immigration pathways
✔️ Program eligibility requirements
✔️ The new OINP employer portal
✔️ Services available to employers

📅 Wednesday, September 23, 2026
⏰ 9:00–10:30 a.m.
💻 Virtual via Zoom
📍 For employers in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts

RSVP now: https://forms.gle/C1FaEqZATKZW9CqV7

07/09/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Sagaate on opening Whitefish Bay Yards! 🎉

Please join us in congratulating Sagaate, a high school student from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, on the launch of his lawn care business in Whitefish Bay!

Sagaate is participating in the Northwest Business Centre's Summer Company Program!

Congratulations on your new business! We wish you a successful and busy summer! 🌱☀️

Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade St. Thomas Aquinas High School

06/18/2026

Check out this workshop that Patricia Area Community Endeavours is hosting! Register now for June 24!

How much time do you spend creating marketing content? 🤔 If social media posts, graphics, and promotional materials are constantly sitting at the bottom of your to-do list, AI may be able to help.

Join us for Marketing Made Simple with AI, a hands-on workshop where you'll learn how to use AI-powered tools within Canva and other platforms to create professional marketing content more efficiently.

Whether you're a business owner, nonprofit leader, or marketer, you'll leave with practical skills you can start using immediately.

📅 Wednesday, June 24, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM CST
📍 Virtual or In-Person in Sioux Lookout at the Sioux Lookout Chamber of Commerce (11 First Avenue South, Sioux Lookout, ON)

To register, please email [email protected]

Email us if you have questions!

06/01/2026

📊 Record Keeping Essentials for Small Business

🗓 June 12, 2026
⏰ 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CT

Good record-keeping is more than just staying organized—it helps you understand the financial health of your business, make informed decisions, reduce risk, and stay prepared for tax season.

Join this interactive webinar to learn:
✔️ The fundamentals of business record keeping
✔️ How to create simple and effective systems
✔️ Best practices for tracking income and expenses
✔️ Canadian record-keeping requirements
✔️ How organized records can support business growth and sustainability

Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your current processes, this session will provide practical tools and strategies to help you confidently manage your business finances.

Register today and invest in a stronger foundation for your business!

Link to register: https://forms.gle/Eoa2YfciUag2pPA16

04/16/2026

Our friends at Patricia Area Community Endeavours are holding an AI Foundations seminar on Wednesday, April 22 and they've invited entrepreneurs from the Kenora and Rainy River Districts to join. You can register for the virtual session by emailing [email protected]. See the post below for all of the details!

Our next free seminar is all about AI. 💻 Join us for a no-pressure, beginner-friendly session that cuts through the jargon and helps participants use AI with confidence and care.

📅 Wednesday, April 22nd | 10:00 AM CST
📍 Attend virtually or join us in-person in Sioux Lookout

To register or learn more, please email: [email protected]

04/14/2026

Summer Company: Applications Now Open!

Turn Your Business Idea into Reality with Summer Company! 🚀

Summer Company gives students the chance to bring their business ideas to life! This program is open to Ontario students (ages 15-29) who are returning to school in the fall and have a business plan for a summer venture.

Learn more and fill out the online application form now!

Stay in the Know!Sign up for our e-newsletter using the link at the bottom of the page to be the first to hear when applications open.

03/28/2026

We had the best day learning from Dee from Baked By The Lake! Thank you to all of the businesses that came to the workshop!

02/27/2026

✨ Connection, Community & Confidence: A Social Media Workshop for Small Businesses 🌟

The Northwest Business Centre is excited to host a professional development workshop featuring Deanne Suke, owner of Baked by the Lake, known for homemade delights, creative recipes, and digital marketing expertise.

This session explores the positive impact social media can have when used intentionally, focusing on building connection, fostering community, and using social media as a supportive and sustainable tool for your small business, rather than chasing perfection or trends.

📅 Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.)
📍 Location: Clarion Lakeside Inn, Kenora
💲 Cost: $15 (refreshments included)

👉 Save your spot: https://kenora-social-media-workshop2026.eventbrite.ca