NEWS RELEASE
BUSINESS CENTRE GUELPH-WELLINGTON
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Yesterday, the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington (BCGW) celebrated a significant milestone: 25 years of supporting and empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses across the region. An invitation-only anniversary luncheon at Cutten Fields, sponsored by Invest in Guelph, brought together key stakeholders, community leaders, and successful past clients who have been integral to achieving BCGW’s mission over the past two decades.
Since its inception in 1999, BCGW has been a pillar of the Guelph-Wellington business community. For the past 25 years, the Centre has provided training, mentorship, and resources to more than 5,000 local entrepreneurs. Additionally, more $4 million in grant funding has been invested in small businesses across the region. These efforts have led to the creation of more than 12,000 jobs within the Guelph-Wellington area since 1999, strengthening the region’s economic landscape and building a vibrant business community.
The luncheon featured a panel discussion with successful BCGW clients, who shared highlights from their entrepreneurial journeys, business wisdom, and the role BCGW played in their personal and business growth. One such client, Cathy Kelly of A Brighter World Home Renovations and Painting, highlighted how BCGW’s support was instrumental in overcoming challenges and scaling their business:
The event served not only as a celebration of past successes, but as a call to action for the future. BCGW plans to continue expanding its training and business advisory services to meet the evolving needs of local entrepreneurs, with new initiatives aimed at digital literacy for business owners, programs targeted to key regional industries like food, tourism and agriculture, and support for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
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