The Municipality of Leamington is taking uptown revitalization to the next level by inviting local entrepreneurs to submit their business ideas for a chance to win a $15,000 grant to help them start their business in Uptown Leamington.

Spearheaded by Leamington’s Mayor Hilda MacDonald, Reinvent This Space challenges entrepreneurs to submit an idea for how their business would reinvent a vacant storefront in Uptown Leamington.

Along with Mayor MacDonald, a panel of local business leaders will review proposals and select a shortlist of finalists. The finalists will receive in-depth mentoring and support by local business leaders to help develop their business plans. Finalists will then make a final pitch to the panel, before the panel awards an up to $15,000 grant to the winner. The Reinvent This Space grant will be used to support the new entrepreneur by providing rent for 12 months to a vacant space in Uptown Leamington.

This program aligns with the recent award by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business which provided the highest score to Leamington in the Entrepreneurial Perspective category, which ranked optimism within the small business community.

“There are so many great ideas and potential entrepreneurs in our community,” said Mayor Hilda Macdonald. “The Municipality is proud to launch a program that will support potential entrepreneurs and help us achieve our goal of reinventing Leamington’s Uptown. I think we are going to see a lot of really exciting ideas come out of this competition.”

Applications for the Reinvent This Space program will open in early July 2019. Visit leamington.ca for info. 

The Town of Essex will welcome world-renowned gardener and Order of Canada winner, Mark Cullen, for a free event on Wednesday, June 19 starting at 7:00pm.

Cullen, a garden communicator and horticultural consultant for Home Hardware Canada, will bring his expertise to the McGregor Community Centre (9571 Walker Road).

The event will include a presentation followed by a question and answer period and signing of Mark’s new book “Escape to Reality: How the World is Changing Gardening, and Gardening is Changing the World.” Books will be available to purchase for $25, with $10 of each sale supporting the Town of Essex Communities in Bloom committee.

The visit comes as part of the recognition for the Town’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Community Involvement, received at the National Communities in Bloom event in 2018.

“Mark’s visit is yet another reminder of the work accomplished by the Town’s Communities in Bloom committee, its dedicated volunteer, and the amazing gardeners in our community,” said Doug Sweet, Director of Community Services. “They have helped to put Essex on the map when it comes to local beautification and volunteerism.”

While the event is free, space is limited. Doors will open at 6:30pm, with the presentation starting at 7:00pm.

Learn more about Mark Cullen at www.MarkCullen.com

Carrie: The Musical is a musical with a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore. Adapted from Stephen King's novel Carrie, it focuses on an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by an oppressive religious fanatic mother. When she is humiliated by her classmates at the high school prom, she unleashes chaos on everyone and everything in her path. We are very proud to say that this is our 29th production in our community.

July 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 at The Green Room Theatre, 600 E.C. Row W.

The Box Office is located at Cardinal Music, 2569B Jefferson.

Our phone number is 519-944-5800 and our web address is www.cardinalmusicproductions.com Tickets are $25

The Town of Essex will welcome world-renowned gardener and Order of Canada winner, Mark Cullen, for a free event on Wednesday, June 19 starting at 7:00pm.

Cullen, a garden communicator and horticultural consultant for Home Hardware Canada, will bring his expertise to the McGregor Community Centre (9571 Walker Road).

The event will include a presentation followed by a question and answer period and signing of Mark’s new book “Escape to Reality: How the World is Changing Gardening, and Gardening is Changing the World.” Books will be available to purchase for $25, with $10 of each sale supporting the Town of Essex Communities in Bloom committee.

The visit comes as part of the recognition for the Town’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Community Involvement, received at the National Communities in Bloom event in 2018.

“Mark’s visit is yet another reminder of the work accomplished by the Town’s Communities in Bloom committee, its dedicated volunteer, and the amazing gardeners in our community,” said Doug Sweet, Director of Community Services. “They have helped to put Essex on the map when it comes to local beautification and volunteerism.”

While the event is free, space is limited. Doors will open at 6:30pm, with the presentation starting at 7:00pm.

Learn more about Mark Cullen at www.MarkCullen.com