South Stormont’s annual Mayor’s Breakfast drew a strong crowd to the Township Hall, bringing together business owners, developers, municipal staff, and community members for a morning of networking, recognition, and local economic updates.
The event, hosted by the South Stormont Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Township, has become an anticipated gathering on the community calendar. Chamber president Lynn White opened the morning by welcoming members, township partners, and prospective members alike, not without a bit of humour, noting that the Cornwall’s Mayor Breakfast had been accidentally scheduled at the same time.
Attendees were treated to a delicious breakfast catered by the team at Sunset Cove Retirement, setting a warm and welcoming tone for the morning.
A Decade of Service Recognized
One of the morning’s most notable moments came with the recognition of Mayor Bryan McGillis, who announced that he will not be seeking re-election after approximately ten years as mayor. The Chamber presented him with a commemorative plaque.
“It’s bittersweet,” McGillis told the room. “Now it’s time to travel and enjoy life a little more, and maybe spend time doing things we couldn’t do because of work, kids, sports, and everything else.” He added that he plans to stay involved in the community and thanked residents, staff, and council for their support over the years.
Interim CAO Karl Doyle, Communications Manager Chris Hemond, and Economic Development Planner Moe Hammoud outlined several major development projects: the 680-acre Camino Park residential development now in detailed design; a mixed-use redevelopment of the former Brownie Funeral Home in Ingleside; and a long-range conceptual plan for the South Ingleside Lands. Hammoud also announced a new Township Economic Development Plan — the first since 2016 — with an RFP expected this summer.
Local business owner Nicholas McNaughton of Grain and Stone Flooring spoke about his experience using the Township’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which helped fund renovations to transform a former auto garage into a retail showroom. His advice to others: plan carefully, get your quotes, and add 20 percent for the unexpected.
Doyle closed by previewing a new plain-language business guide to help entrepreneurs navigate Township planning and permitting processes, to be made available online.
The South Stormont Chamber of Commerce can be found at sschambercommerce.ca and on Facebook. For information on the Township’s Community Improvement Plan, visit https://www.southstormont.ca/
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