Declared by the Business Development Bank of Canada, the month of October is Small Business Month.

To celebrate our small businesses and create more awareness, small businesses will be the focus of the next Mayor’s Business Breakfast (MBB), Oct. 19.

This event, sponsored by the Bolton office of Royal LePage RCR Realty, will take place at Empire Theatres in Bolton and include a networking breakfast, catered by Chef Talk Bistro, followed by a keynote presentation by renowned business author and marketing coach Larry Easto. During his presentation, Easto will review a variety of effective marketing strategies and tactics for businesses of all sizes.

In May of this year, Easto also collaborated with the Town of Caledon’s Economic Development Department to develop the Best Internet Marketing Course for Small Business.

Admission is free and advance registration is required. If you are interested in attending, you can register via e-mail at edc@caledon.ca or by calling (905) 584-2272, ext. 4286.

It has been a busy year since the launch of the Caledon Small Business Enterprise Center (SBEC), located at the Caledon Community Services (CCS) offices at 18 King St. East, Upper Level, Bolton. Employment, business and entrepreneurship are a perfect fit alongside the many other services within CCS’s matrix of programs to better assist our residents. In the first year, Caledon SBEC held five workshops with topics including business start-up, entrepreneurship and business planning; they conducted more than 60 client consultations; fielded over 300 client inquires; and had considerable traffic to use of their comprehensive Web site. To learn more about Caledon SBEC or if you are interested in starting your own business, please visit www.ccs4u.org, call (905) 584-2300 or e-mail sbec@ccs4u.org to gain the tools you need to be successful.

Small businesses are key to our economy and are everywhere you turn.

Take for example, the Caledon Farmer’s Market. Each week a couple dozen local and small businesses sold their wares at the market. Last Thursday (Oct. 6) was the last market for the season and its success was because of you, the residents shopping locally and supporting these businesses. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the vendors who participated this season and the Town’s Economic Development Team for their hard work on this important initiative. Now in its third year, the market continues to grow and has become a staple in our community. I hope to see you all out at the market when it opens in June 2012 for its fourth season.

Just because the Caledon Farmers Market is closed, doesn’t mean that you can’t still buy locally-grown produce. Its apple picking time and these small businesses depend on you to take the family apple picking or simply stop by and have some of their delicious products. While raking your leaves, take a break and try some local hot apple cider. To find an orchard near you, visit the Grown in Peel Guide on-line at www.peelregion.ca

The Economic Development team at the Town is continually working with our small business community to assist them in attaining their goals. During the height of the recession in 2009, the Town’s industrial vacancy rate was 35 per cent; now we are sitting at a vacancy rate less then seven per cent. Caledon has become a destination to do business and we couldn’t be prouder of this fact. Remember that it is often the small business owner who volunteers locally, contributes to community fundraising efforts and employs local residents. Do your part and remember to shop locally.