The Grove is growing the local agri-food industry
The Grove at Western Fair District opened with three companies in 2020, since that time they have welcomed three more as they follow a five-year plan.
“We’re really looking for agri-food and agri-based companies to actually come in and be a part of this community," says director of agri-food at the grove, James Smith. “This space will be filled with about 20 companies over the next five years.”
There's room for more business at The Grove at Western Fair District in London, Ont. (Marek Sutherland / CTV News)
One of the newest companies is ‘The Fritter Shop,’ which needed to expand to keep up with demand.
“We kept growing and growing and we’re in our fifth year of business now. And we’ve now outgrown the St. Thomas location to open this beautiful production space here, and we call it the ‘Fritter Factory,’” says owner Kelvin Van Rijn.
The Grove says it’s focus is to foster new and emerging agri-food companies to give them a launching pad to running a successful business.
“What their accelerator space does, is it allows you to purpose build your very first company,” explains Smith.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.