Bruce County celebrates entrepreneurial success across generations

Bruce County is a blend of entrepreneurial opportunity that spans energy, tourism, agribusiness, culture, technology, retail, and manufacturing. The growing local business community contributes positively to economic growth, social change, and community development.

Larsen & Shaw Limited is a long-standing example of such positive influences. The manufacturer has been family-owned since 1919 and employs more than 100 people at the 93,000 square foot facility in Walkerton.  Revenues for the business are around $24 million annually.

“Larsen& Shaw Recognition”: Municipality of Kincardine Mayor Anne Eadie; John Larsen, Chairman of the Board, Larsen & Shaw; Bruce County Warden Mitch Twolan; Mary Jane Bushell, President/CEO, Larsen & Shaw

 

“Larsen & Shaw is a true success story for our local economy. The company trains local workers, who design, build, and maintain every aspect of production,” commented Bruce County Warden, Mitch Twolan. “I congratulate Larsen & Shaw for 100 years in business.”

Recognizing the importance of businesses to our local economy, Bruce County’s Business to Bruce program is empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs. Summer Company helps young aspiring entrepreneurs (between the ages of 15 and 29 and returning to school in the fall) run a business over the summer months with training, mentorship, and a $3.000 grant.

This summer, four new businesses were started through Summer Company:
– Drone FX in Lion’s Head (sole proprietor: Zachary Rogers)
– Black Wolf Poutine in Neyaashiinigmiing (sole proprietor: Miingan Akiwenzie)
– GardenzUp in Paisley (sole proprietor: Nick Veenstra)
– Bruce County Barn Board Signs in Tara (sole proprietor: Hayley Swigger)

“Summer Company Participant Recognition”: Municipality of Kincardine Mayor Anne Eadie; Summer Company participants Nick Veenstra, Zachary Rogers, and Miingan Akiwenzie (absent from photo: Hayley Swigger); Bruce County Warden Mitch Twolan

“Summer Company gives students the experience of running their own business with the intent to grow future entrepreneurs, “says Jill Roote, Bruce County’s Manager of Economic Development. “The students of 2019 have demonstrated commitment and enthusiasm and I look forward to their bright futures in business.”