South River Hosts Successful Business Breakfast Focused on Economic Growth and Community Collaboration

South River, ON | July 16, 2026

The Village of South River hosted a Business Breakfast on Thursday, July 16, bringing together local business owners, entrepreneurs, community organizations, Council members, and municipal staff for a morning of networking, information sharing, and discussion on initiatives that support economic development and strengthen the local business community.

More than 18 businesses and organizations attended the event, demonstrating the continued commitment of South River's business community to work collaboratively with the Municipality in shaping the community's future.

Mayor Jim Coleman welcomed attendees and thanked local businesses for their ongoing investment in South River. Throughout the morning, municipal staff and Council provided updates on key projects, services, tourism initiatives, and economic development activities while inviting feedback from participants.

Municipal Update

Clerk-Administrator  Don McArthur provided an overview of the Municipality's 2026 Budget and highlighted recent infrastructure investments. Over the past five years, South River has invested more than $8 million in roads, sidewalks, and water infrastructure, along with nearly $2 million in arena improvements.

He noted that many municipal capital projects are made possible through provincial grant opportunities and emphasized the importance of continued investment in infrastructure that supports residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Updates were also provided on municipal services, including garbage collection, commercial recycling, utilities, and community facilities.

Economic Development Initiatives

Economic Development Officer and Recreation Director Tanvir Kabir shared updates on several projects currently underway to support business growth and tourism.

A regional rideshare initiative continues to be explored to improve transportation options throughout the Almaguin Highlands and complement both the return of the Northlander passenger rail service and existing intercity transportation.

The Municipality also highlighted the continued success of its Village-Wide Garage Sale, which has become one of South River's growing community events. This year's event featured over 36 participating households, attracted more than 300 visitors, and generated over $10,000 in local sales, excluding regular business activity.

Business promotion remains another key priority. The Municipality has continued producing promotional videos featuring local businesses while expanding its online audience through social media and digital marketing initiatives.

Tourism Development

Tourism initiatives remain an important focus for South River's economic future.

Attendees received an update on the Municipality's efforts to obtain Dark Sky Designation for Tom Thomson Park, an initiative expected to enhance South River's reputation as an astronomy tourism destination.

Businesses were also invited to support the upcoming Perseid Meteor Shower Stargazing Experience on August 12, a new event designed to attract visitors while showcasing the community's unique dark skies. The Municipality encouraged businesses to display promotional materials and explore creative partnerships through themed products, services, and visitor experiences.

Councillor Brenda Scott spoke about the long-term vision for developing South River as a destination for experiential tourism. She highlighted opportunities for local businesses to collaborate in creating memorable visitor experiences while supporting sustainable economic growth.

Business Discussion and Community Feedback

Following the presentations, attendees participated in an open discussion covering several topics important to the local business community.

Transportation and cycling tourism generated considerable interest, with participants discussing opportunities to connect future Northlander rail service with cycling routes, accommodations, local businesses, and potential e-bike rentals.

Commercial recycling also emerged as a significant topic of discussion. Business owners shared concerns regarding recent provincial changes to Ontario's recycling system and the challenges rural businesses face in managing commercial waste and recycling services. Municipal staff acknowledged these concerns and committed to continuing discussions with businesses while advocating for practical solutions.

Participants also recognized the positive economic impact of community events. Local businesses noted that initiatives such as the Village-Wide Garage Sale bring new visitors into local shops and restaurants while encouraging people to explore South River.

Working Together for the Future

The Business Breakfast reinforced the importance of strong partnerships between the Municipality and the local business community. Events such as these provide valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, identify challenges, celebrate successes, and work collaboratively toward shared goals.

The Village of South River extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. The ideas and feedback shared during the meeting will help guide future economic development, tourism, and business support initiatives.

The Municipality remains committed to fostering a vibrant local economy, supporting entrepreneurs, attracting visitors, and creating opportunities that benefit residents, businesses, and the broader community. Continued collaboration with the business community will play an essential role in achieving these goals.

The Village looks forward to continuing these conversations through future business engagement initiatives and thanks all participants for helping make the 2026 Business Breakfast a success.