By Joanne Dorr
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE—Earlier this month in Fort William Nation, Hydro One, and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) announced the 28 recipients of the Hydro One Indigenous Entrepreneurship Grant, one of which calls Hagersville home.
Grant recipients include a wide range of Indigenous-owned businesses across Ontario, such as food suppliers, advertising and marketing specialists, and wellness services. The grant aims to help these businesses achieve their goals and energize life in their communities.
“At Hydro One, we are committed to reconciliation and working together with Indigenous communities as true partners. We are proud to partner with the CCAB to invest in the success of Indigenous-owned businesses,” said Lindsay Zylstra, Vice President, Supply Chain at Hydro One. “We will continue to leverage our unique position in the province to expand our network of Indigenous-owned businesses and create mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities.”
Zylstra adds, “For the second year in a row, we are proud to partner with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business to invest in the success of Indigenous-owned businesses through the Hydro One Indigenous Entrepreneurship Grant. Twenty-eight recipients were chosen this year, including Choosing to Live Healthy, which offers one-on-one personal training and spa services to the Hagersville community. They will receive $2,500 and a CCAB membership for their incredible work.”
Choosing to Live Healthy is owned and operated by Corey Garlow and can be found at 536 Seneca Road and has been helping people for over 25 years. The business is run by appointment only. Call or text Garlow at 519-770-7671 for more information.
Tabatha Bull, President and CEO of CCAB, said, “Congratulations to recipients of all levels of the Hydro One Indigenous Entrepreneurship Grant; we’re thrilled to continue working with Hydro One and to assist Ontario Indigenous businesses in enhancing their business and achieving their goals.”
CCAB is committed to the full participation of Indigenous peoples in Canada’s economy. As a national, non-partisan association, its mission is to promote, strengthen, and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the fostering of business relationships, opportunities, and awareness. CCAB offers knowledge, resources, and programs to its members to cultivate economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and businesses across Canada.
As part of CCAB’s Progressive Aboriginal RelationsTM (PAR) program, Hydro One is helping to empower Indigenous-owned businesses to foster an equitable and sustainable economy.
This partnership is a part of Hydro One’s commitment to direct 20% of its corporate donations and sponsorships to Indigenous communities. Hydro One has also committed to increasing its Indigenous procurement spend to 5% of the company’s purchases of materials and services by 2026.
