A core of future entrepreneurs are hard at it in Chatham-Kent over the summer, as student participants in the Summer Company Program are getting an early start in running their own businesses.
The Summer Company program is designed to empower enterprising young people, aged 15 to 29, to start and run their own summer businesses.
Participants receive training, mentorship, and a grant of $3,000 to support their entrepreneurial journey.
“We’re thrilled to launch another exciting year of the Summer Company program and to
welcome these talented young entrepreneurs into the Chatham-Kent small business
community,” Anne Marie Fortner, a Chatham-Kent economic development officer, said in a media release. “This initiative empowers students to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation. We look forward to mentoring them and supporting their journey as they build the foundation for their businesses.
This year’s contingent of Summer Company members includes home improvement, auto detailing, marketing and other services.
Applications for the 2026 program will open in spring of next year, offering another group of young entrepreneurs the chance to turn their business ideas into reality with support and resources of the Chatham-Kent Small Business Centre.
High praise for C-K’s Nahdee
Matthew Nahdee, a member of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, has been recognized as one of Canada’s trailblazers in the 2025 Business Elite “40 Under 40” awards.
This honour celebrates young leaders who have made significant contributions to their industries and communities.
According to a chamber news release, “Matthew Nahdee’s selection for this coveted accolade underscores his visionary leadership, relentless dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
Nahdee, is an entrepreneur, advocate, and community leader whose influence spans business, governance, cultural preservation, and social impact.
“A proud member of Walpole Island First Nation, Matthew is dedicated to building stronger, more inclusive communities through leadership rooted in Indigenous knowledge and forward-thinking innovation,” according to chamber officials.
Nahdee is a graduate of Western Law and Osgoode Hall Law School’s Indigenous Intensive Program in Aboriginal Lands, Resources, and Governments.
He owns 11 businesses spanning sports entertainment, retail, development, and hospitality.
Greenhouse group wins awards
Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG), North America’s largest producer of greenhouse-grown produce, recently earned two awards for the Fall Freshness Campaign and the Grocery Giveaway by Greenhouse Goodness. The awards won are part of a multi-level campaign highlighting the sector’s commitment to sustainable growing habits and a healthy lifestyle.
The two campaigns prove to be a winning recipe. Developed in collaboration with Douglas Marketing Group (DMG), the strategy is being rolled out across the Atlantic United States that includes social media influencers, online advertising, and educational resources.
The Fall Freshness Campaign was an extension of the Greenhouse Goodness campaign, which recognizes the many benefits of greenhouse grown produce being available year-round.
The focus on recipes surrounding warm, cozy, fall-based meals has now turned into a model used for every season, according to an OGVG media release.
- Business Voice is a bi-monthly column in The Chatham Voice that highlights some of the achievements made and efforts underway in Chatham-Kent’s business community. Send your information to [email protected].
