Friday September 30, 2016 – The Thunder Bay & District Entrepreneur Centre’s second annual Small Business Showcase is taking place on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 12 – 5 pm at the Intercity Shopping Centre. This exhibition features diverse brand new businesses with unique products and services.  Thunder Bay is home to a vibrant and booming small business scene. Young start-ups and new innovations are constantly emerging and it is clear that entrepreneurship is alive and well in our city.

“There are a ton of fantastic new businesses that have come to life in the last few years, and many people don’t even know they exist,” tells Ryan Moore, Development Officer for the Thunder Bay & District Entrepreneur Centre. “We’re seeing some amazing talent in our small business clients and we want to give the public a chance to see what’s new in Northwestern Ontario business. Small Business Showcase will allow people to check out the exciting developments happening in local business and meet the entrepreneurs behind these projects.”

“Small and medium-sized enterprises make up 98 percent of all companies in Canada, and employ 90 percent of working Canadians,” continues Moore. “Our small businesses are true pillars of our economy, and we are all better off for the success in the small business sector. These small and medium-sized enterprises are generating income, creating jobs, and making our city thrive.”

Close Quarters is one of those brand new businesses who have recently made their debut just a few short weeks ago. The company manufactures Grunts, an all-natural throat lozenge that is also scent-masking, making it ideal for hunters. Business partners and brothers Lance and Landin McFarlane successfully completed the Starter Company program administered by the Entrepreneur Centre. They are looking forward to exhibiting their new product at the event.

“We’ve already got Grunts into a few retail locations, but we’re hoping to sell to a few more so that our product can reach more people,” says Lance McFarlane. Lance and Landin will have Grunts samples available onhand at their booth at Small Business Showcase.

Small Business Showcase will feature 13 small business exhibitors representing nearly every sector and industry. All are welcome to attend this free tradeshow event.

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Note to editor: Media are invited to attend Small Business Showcase for media and photo opportunities. Photos can be supplied upon request.

Contact: Lexie Penko, Information and Marketing Officer – Thunder Bay Community Economic
Development Commission (CEDC) – Tel: 807-625-3969 or apenko@thunderbay.ca.

About CEDC: The CEDC is responsible for business development, retention and expansion, entrepreneurial support, opportunity promotion, and the collection and assessment of key business data. The CEDC receives formal proposals for projects that will contribute to economic development. It responds quickly to new opportunities and initiatives to attract direct financial involvement from the government and private sectors. For more information, visit www.ThunderBayCEDC.ca.