A recent boundary change affecting the Small Business Advisory Centre is intended to simplify services across Leeds Grenville, according to long-time business adviser Cindy James.
James, who has worked with the Small Business Advisory Centre for nearly 25 years, said the change officially took effect April 1 and places all of Leeds Grenville under one umbrella through the United Counties-based office in Brockville, while Lanark County remains under her service area through Smiths Falls.
“The reason for the change was just over time, there was always confusion as to the county being split between two centres,” James said. “This just made it easier for everybody to have Leeds Grenville under one umbrella.”
Under the new structure, all Leeds and Grenville communities are served through the Leeds and Grenville Small Business Centre in Brockville, while the Small Business Advisory Centre in Smiths Falls continues to serve Smiths Falls and Lanark County.
James said the adjustment is expected to create a more consistent experience for businesses seeking grants, services and advice across Leeds Grenville.
“When information goes out for Leeds Grenville, it’s all standard,” she said.
While new Leeds Grenville clients may now be directed through the Brockville office depending on the program or funding stream, James said long-standing business relationships will continue.
“People come to see me all the time,” she said. “Once that relationship is built, they know they can always come back.”
James said the ministry did not mandate the change, noting the restructuring was locally requested.
Despite the shift, James remains based out of Smiths Falls Town Hall and continues to work throughout Lanark County, including outreach appointments in communities such as Perth and Almonte.
The advisory centre supports entrepreneurs through all stages of business development, from startup to growth and expansion.
“Typically, we’re helping people learn how to start and grow,” James said. “If we can’t help them directly, we connect them with the right people.”
Services include consultations, seminars, workshops and referrals covering areas such as marketing, bookkeeping, taxation, cash flow, branding and employment standards. Most services are offered free of charge. If there is a workshop, they charge a nominal fee to help cover food costs.
The centre also oversees programs such as Starter Company Plus and Summer Company, the latter of which helps students launch summer businesses.
James said four students are currently participating in this year’s Summer Company program, with projects ranging from music lessons to small carpentry work and even chess instruction for seniors in long-term care settings.
Over the years, James has watched many businesses grow from small local startups into larger success stories.
She pointed to businesses such as Moose Munchies Candy Co. and Perth-based fashion company Queen Bee Millinery as examples of entrepreneurs who expanded significantly after working with the centre.
“We have businesses that started at farmers’ markets and now have commercial products in stores,” she said.
James estimated roughly 80 per cent of businesses participating in the centre’s programs continue operating successfully over the longer term.
But for her, the most rewarding part of the work remains the relationships built over time.
“I love working with the businesses. I love seeing them grow,” James said. “I love walking down a street and pretty much every second business I know that I’ve worked with.”
James will mark 25 years with the Small Business Advisory Centre in January 2027.
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