Economic Development News

A Letter to My Former Self: Mike

Leaving the city wasn’t just a change of scenery—it was an invitation into a vibrant close-knit community with unexpected opportunity. In this “Letter To My Former Self,” Michael Cascone looks back on taking the leap to north Durham and how that decision created space for a more present family life, renewed career purpose, and a quiet sense of belonging that reshaped what success looked like.

Dear Mike,

You’re probably reading this from your downtown office, somewhere between your afternoon coffee...

A Letter to My Former Self: Mary

Sometimes the biggest life changes start with a single, unexpected choice. For one former city dweller, that choice became a turning point. In this “Letter To My Former Self,” Mary Bridger reflects on what she didn’t know about north Durham back then—the calm she’d find, the community she’d grow into, and the surprising way life got more exciting.

Dear Mary,

I know you’re reading this while on the subway or sitting in your condo, scrolling the real estate ads, and convinced that a place with a...

The Rise of Rural Makers: Why Woodland Mills Fits the Movement

What began as two childhood friends tinkering in a backyard has become a forestry-equipment company with its global headquarters, and heart,locatedin their hometown of Port Perry, Ontario.

Woodland Mills was founded in 2009 by Josh Malcolm and Neil Bramley. The pair set out to solve a problem they understood firsthand: landowners needed dependable, professional‑grade equipment that didn’t cost a fortune.  Their first product was a sawmill, built in a backyard and sold to neighbours through local ads. Word...

The Secret Sauce Behind Hela Spice

The next time you walk down a grocery aisle, pause for a moment. Pick up a sauce, a seasoning blend, a ready‑to‑cook meal. Chances are, something inside that package began its life far from a big‑city food lab and was instead produced inside the Hela Spice facility tucked in north Durham.

“If you walk around a grocery store and look at any of the branded products, more than likely we've had a hand in the great majority of them,” says Eric Nummelin, Director of Sales, Marketing and Research and...

Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) Launches the 360° Growth Program to Scale Local Businesses

Durham Region, ON — The Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) is proud to introduce the 360° Growth Program, an affordable paid program offering a streamlined, high impact advisory experience designed to help established business owners build stronger operations, deepen profitability, and create sustainable long-term momentum.

For more than 25 years, BACD has been a trusted partner to thousands of entrepreneurs across Durham Region, offering personalized advisory support, practical workshops, and...