**TIMMINS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NEWS RELEASE**

November 15th is Social Enterprise Day and the Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) and the Business Enterprise Centre are helping spread the word. The two organizations are hoping more entrepreneurs will pursue social enterprise as a viable business model.

 

“Social enterprises use business principles to solve social or environmental problems” said Maggie Matear, Director of Community Economic Development at the TEDC. “They’re typically structured like a non-profit, but all of the profits they generate go towards the social cause, instead of to the business owners.” Greyston Bakery is one example of a social enterprise. They employ at-risk adults without resumes, interviews or applications to help reduce crime, poverty and food insecurity. Greyston Bakery is the brownie supplier for Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream.

 

The TEDC and the Business Enterprise Centre offer services such as mentoring and training to help entrepreneurs start a social enterprise. “We’re really pleased to be offering these services in the region,” said Natasha Chalwell, Entrepreneurship Coordinator with the Business Enterprise Centre. “Social enterprise is becoming a way for non-profits to address increasing funding pressures,” she added.

 

The TEDC and the Business Enterprise Centre are hosting a round table on February 27th, 2019 to build awareness of social entrepreneurship.

Filed under: Local News