HNCEA - Huron North Community Economic Alliance

05/08/2026

Strong funding applications are built through collaboration.

Many grant programs place significant value on regional partnerships, community support, and projects that create broader impact across multiple communities and sectors.

As organizations begin preparing for upcoming funding opportunities like the Ontario Rural Development (ROD) Program, HNCEA can help connect municipalities, businesses, organizations, and community partners to strengthen projects and applications.

Building partnerships early can help create stronger applications, larger regional impact, and better long-term outcomes for our communities.

Contact HNCEA to get you started!

Get funding to help create strong businesses, boost economic growth, protect jobs and improve infrastructure in small communities.

04/21/2026

04/10/2026

If you’re a local entrepreneur, check out this event in SSM!

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre is partnering with the Ontario Centre of Innovation to bring a free in-person Learning Session.

03/26/2026

🌟New Funding Alert! 🌟

The EASE Grant (Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone) is now open with up to $60,000 available per project to support accessibility upgrades.

💡 Open to municipalities, First Nations and not-for-profits looking to remove barriers and improve access.

📅 Applications close May 7, 2026 - don’t wait, time and $$ are limited!

Working with a neighbouring community or looking for one to collaborate with to make your application stronger?? 💪 HNCEA is here to help you shape your application - reach out anytime.

Learn how we’re helping protect and strengthen access to inclusive spaces for all Ontarians.

02/17/2026

🌊 Tides. Trails. Traditions. 🌲

Join us on March 26, 2026 for the Huron North Micro-Tourism Summit - a regional gathering focused on strengthening small-scale, place-based tourism across our communities.

This one-day summit will explore how our shoreline, trails, culture, heritage and local businesses can work together to build a resilient visitor economy that benefits the entire Huron North region.

Whether you represent a municipality, business, tourism operator, community organization or are simply passionate about our region’s future - your voice matters.

📅 March 26, 2026
📍 Township of the North Shore Municipal Office – Algoma Mills
⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (light lunch provided)
💼 Free admission

To register:
📧 Email [email protected]
Subject: Tides, Trails & Traditions Registration

If you are interested in promoting your organization during the networking lunch, please reach out for more information.

Let’s define what micro-tourism means for Huron North - together.

02/09/2026

Join us to learn how AI is changing search and what it means for your business.

AI is reshaping how customers discover brands. This free in-person session provides a practical, easy-to-follow overview of what’s changing in search and how business owners, marketing, and communications teams can stay visible.

𝐖𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭:
• Whether SEO is actually “dead” or just changing
• How can brands optimize for large language models (LLMs)
• What your website needs to stay visible in AI-powered search results

No technical background or AI knowledge needed. This session is designed to be approachable, practical, and focused on real-world examples.

📅 February 5, 2026
⏰ 2:30PM - 4:00PM
📍 Peace Restaurant

Hosted by 9thCO Inc. & Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre - SSMIC , followed by networking.

🎟️Get Your Free Tickets Today - bit.ly/AIBrandVisibility

02/02/2026