Economic Development - City of Kawartha Lakes

09/03/2026

A great session that will feature the Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce!

Join the Ministry of Rural Affairs at the 2026 Ontario East Municipal Conference! We're hosting a panel discussion, From Consultation to Action: Turning Stakeholder Engagement into Strategy, sharing practical approaches for engaging communities and supporting successful local initiatives.

📆 When: September 9 to 11, 2026

📍Where: Ottawa Conference and Event Centre



Register now: https://reg.planetreg.com/E3613325475710?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fministry-of-rural-affairs-mra-en%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F715608261

09/03/2026

This post office, constructed in 1875, is one of the oldest restored freestanding post offices in Ontario. It has served many roles over the years and is now home to the Manvers Historical Society. Come and see what a post office looked like when mail was the way that people stayed connected.

For more information on this year’s event and for a full list of sites, visit the Doors Open page on our website: www.kawarthalakes.ca/doorsopen

09/03/2026

The Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives is a Doors Open stop! Located in the former Lindsay Gaol, constructed in 1863, and showcases historical artifacts from Lindsay and the surrounding area.

Come and experience the history of Kawartha Lakes with their range of exhibits as well as aspects of the former jail, such as the cell blocks that still exist inside the museum.

For more information on this year’s event and for a full list of sites, visit kawarthalakes.ca/doorsopen

09/02/2026

Doors Open returns to Kawartha Lakes in 2026! We are excited for you to join us to visit spaces of civic engagement in central and southern Kawartha Lakes on September 13 from 10am to 4pm.

We have 10 sites and two self-guided walking tours for you to explore. Get your Doors Open Passport stamped at three or more sites to be entered into a draw for great local prizes.

For more information on this year’s event and for a full list of sites, visit the Doors Open page on our website: www.kawarthalakes.ca/doorsopen

09/01/2026

Your next business move might be closer than you think.
Applications for Starter Company PLUS open this Friday, September 4!
The program offers practical training, guidance, and a supportive local network for entrepreneurs ready to launch or businesses up to three years old that are ready to grow or take a clear next step. Selected entrepreneurs also gain access funding while developing a stronger plan for launch or growth.
Ready to learn, and take the next step with your business? Come back Friday for application details.
Learn more: www.kawarthalakes.ca/startercompanyplus

08/29/2026

Food has a wonderful way of bringing people together and every well-loved recipe has a story to tell.

Through the Recipe Revival program, we are collecting recipes that reflect the people, places, traditions and memories of Kawartha Lakes. From handwritten family favourites passed down through generations to recipes served at community suppers, holiday gatherings, church events and around the family table, we want to hear what dishes are part of your story.

🍋 Have a treasured family recipe with a Kawartha Lakes connection? We’d love for you to share it and the story behind it!

Find more local recipes (like Auntie Barb’s Lemon Curd) and add your own, here: https://www.kawarthalakes.ca/explore-play/arts-culture-and-heritage/moments-and-memories/recipe-revival/

08/27/2026

Yesterday, we celebrated the incredible accomplishments of our 2026 Summer Company student entrepreneurs!

What a summer it has been! These inspiring young entrepreneurs didn’t just build and run successful businesses—they gained valuable skills, confidence, and real-world experience that will help them as they continue to create, innovate, and pursue their goals.

We’re so proud of everything they accomplished and can’t wait to see where their entrepreneurial journeys take them next!

Congratulations to all of our 2026 Summer Company participants!

Company Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship Business

08/26/2026

Great working with Ampere Kawartha Lakes Makerspace through the CKL film office for permitting on municipal property. The office provides concierge service to make film permitting seamless. https://l1nq.com/film-in-kawarthalakes

Ontario Creates 🎥🎬📺

08/24/2026

Congratulations to Lesley Drummond, this year's winner of Pieces of Downtown Ravensburger Puzzle Art Contest organized by Tradewind Toys & Gifts Lindsay Downtown . Such a unique and creative way to celebrate downtown Lindsay. Is it too early to mention pre-ordering, by calling or connecting in store, would have it here for December 🌲✨🎁.

🧩 THE RESULTS ARE IN — Piece of Downtown has a winner!

What an incredible response to our first-ever community art contest. We were blown away by the variety of submissions — painting, photography, mixed media, and more — all celebrating Downtown Lindsay in the most creative ways. Thank you to every artist who submitted. It took courage to put your work forward and we are so glad you did.

Entries were judged on four criteria: Connection to Downtown Lindsay, Artistic Quality & Originality, Puzzle Suitability, and Wow Factor — by an incredible panel:

🏛️ Angela Field - Tradewind Toys
🏛️ Melissa McFarland — Lindsay Downtown BIA
🏛️ Donna Goodwin — CKL Economic Development, Arts & Culture
🏛️ Councillor Mark Doble — City of Kawartha Lakes Council
🏛️ Christina Dedes — Kawartha Lakes Arts Council

🥉 3rd Place
"Classical Kent St." — Photography
Sienna Frost, Lindsay

🥈 2nd Place
"A Walk Through Time" — Mixed Media
Joanne Phendler, Janetville

🥇 1st Place — and the artwork that will be printed on the Piece of Downtown Ravensburger puzzle:

"Isn't It Rich" — Mixed Media on Canvas
Lesley Drummond, Janetville

We have to be honest — the photo on here doesn't do it justice. This mixed media piece on canvas is layered with endless small details: some painted, some photography, laid out collage-style in a way that rewards every look. The more you look, the more you see. It's a stunning, rich representation of Downtown Lindsay — its landmarks, its businesses, the feeling of this place — and we cannot wait to see it on a puzzle. It is going to be something really special.

Congratulations Lesley! 🎉

All three winners receive prize packs from Ravensburger, Tradewind Toys, and Lindsay Downtown BIA. And all submitted artwork will be on display in the window at Tradewind Toys, 110 Kent Street West tomorrow — go have a look!

🧩 NOW — PRE-ORDER YOUR PUZZLE.

The Piece of Downtown 500-piece Ravensburger puzzle featuring Lesley's "Isn't It Rich" is available for pre-sale right now for $24.99 — but only until 5:00pm on Thursday, August 27th.

This is a limited, special-edition puzzle. Only a small number will be available for regular in-store sales after that. If you want one — and you do — pre-order now.

📞 Call Tradewind Toys: 705-878-4931
📍 In-store: 110 Kent Street West, Lindsay

A local artist. A local toy store. A local puzzle. This is what community looks like. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of it.

08/24/2026

Kinda chic to keep learning 💻

Last chance to register for the AI for Rural Small Business workshop! Netmechanics is teaming up with our Small Business Centre to teach us how to use AI to improve business without getting into the weeds with it. Get repeat customers, stay on top of industry news, and more.

📅 August 26
🕙 10am
📍 Virtual
💲 Free

Register here: https://AI-for-Rural-Business.eventbrite.ca

If you're already running a business, hop on. If you're thinking of starting one, this one's for you too! Don't miss out.