Media Release
Thursday, November 15, 2018
For immediate release

November 15th is Social Enterprise Day and the Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) and the Business Enterprise Centre are helping spread the word. The two organizations are hoping more entrepreneurs will pursue social enterprise as a viable business model.

“Social enterprises use business principles to solve social or environmental problems” said Maggie Matear, Director of Community Economic Development at the TEDC. “They’re typically structured like a non-profit, but all of the profits they generate go towards the social cause, instead of to the business owners.” Greyston Bakery is one example of a social enterprise. They employ at-risk adults without resumes, interviews or applications to help reduce crime, poverty and food insecurity. Greyston Bakery is the brownie supplier for Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream.

The TEDC and the Business Enterprise Centre offer services such as mentoring and training to help entrepreneurs start a social enterprise. “We’re really pleased to be offering these services in the region,” said Natasha Chalwell, Entrepreneurship Coordinator with the Business Enterprise Centre. “Social enterprise is becoming a way for non-profits to address increasing funding pressures,” she added.

The TEDC and the Business Enterprise Centre are hosting a round table on February 27th, 2019 to build awareness of social entrepreneurship.

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For more information, please contact Kelsey Luxton, Communications Coordinator, at kelsey.luxton@timmins.ca or (705) 360-2600 x 7083.

About the TEDC

The TEDC is the city’s non-profit community economic development team. We facilitate and support economic and social activity that creates jobs, diversifies the economy and improves quality of life.

About the Business Enterprise Centre

The Business Enterprise Centre helps entrepreneurs start or expand a business. We are a member of the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs and funded by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. We are hosted by the Timmins Economic Development Corporation.