Business

The view from Tara MacWhirter's laundry room, overlooking a series of magnificent backyard gardens, is not the only thing that sets it apart from most people's laundry rooms.

It's also the place where the soap-making magic happens and where most of the finished product is stored. The scent of soap, therefore, permeates the nostrils from the minute one enters the room.

People often hear of products meant for humans that have been tested by animals, but this Dunvegan-based company has a product specifically for pets that was first produced for people.

Nutraxis International, which specializes in products that better aid our bodies to fight health issues, has developed its first product for pets after increased customer demand.

Derek Duval knew that he wanted to settle down and work in the town he grew up in, and the best way to do that was to start his own business.

What started off as a jointly-owned business with a friend - purchasing anaerobic digesters and installing them in local home - quickly developed into his own construction and service-providing company, Avirocorp.

What a difference a year can make.

Just last year the region was reeling as its largest employer, Ivaco Rolling Mills, announced it may have to close its L'Orignal plant.

That uncertainty turned to celebration on Monday, March 12 as Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MP Pierre Lemieux and Gary Goodyear, minister of state for economic development, visited the plant and announced a $10-million investment.

In the past little while, life has become pretty complicated for Terry and Kathy Gillespie.

As one can imagine, being married to and managing a renowned musician, in addition to operating a small business, can be extremely challenging.

In an effort to "simplify our lives," Kathy says she and her husband will be closing Teka's current location at 52 Main Street in Vankleek Hill and moving the business to their home at 3770 Barb Road.

After a little more than a year on the job, Hawkesbury's economic development director Marc Chénier is ready to try something new.

Chénier confirmed he accepted a job as director general of an accounting firm in Gatineau during an interview last week. His last day at town hall is this Friday, February 17.

The Best Western L'Heritage along County Road 17 just outside Hawkesbury is set for an expansion, following council's approval for the local business to proceed with its plans on Monday, January 30.

Town planner Manon Belle-Isle said owner Raj Patel submitted plans to expand Hawkesbury's only hotel in October 2011. She said he plans to expand the hotel's existing building by 651 square metres.

Months of uncertainty about the future of Ivaco Rolling Mills ended with employees receiving a huge Christmas gift on Thursday, December 22.

The region's largest employer, located in L'Orignal, has received the go-ahead to proceed with upgrades that will help modernize the aging facility.
The company had been considering a $20-million capital investment to correct emission problems in the bag house as well as other upgrades to the plant.

Despite a few closures and the near-miss of a major commercial development, Champlain Township's economic outlook is relatively rosy for a municipality of its size, according to its economic coordinator.