Economic Development Office

We're open for business.

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Economic Development Office is here to work with investors as well as new and existing businesses and industries. We use a collaborative, regional approach to provide new opportunities for all the communities we represent.

This is a progressive place to locate and grow a business. Doing business here means enjoying a high quality of life in what many consider a vacation paradise. The region's natural and historic environment is recognized around the world. Its communities are culturally rich and diverse.

United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
Economic Development Office
32 Wall Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 300
Brockville, ON K6V 4R9
613-342-3840 (voice mail messages are also sent to our email)

Send a general e-mail, or contact us directly using the links below.

www.investleedsgrenville.com

Our staff
Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager, ext. 5365 Ann Weir is the Economic Development Manager for the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office. Since August 2008, Ann has undertaken a collaborative approach to Economic Development in the Counties. Ann has developed and is currently implementing the corridors of opportunity, a way in which communities see the value of working together. She holds a Business Administration diploma in Finance from Durham College and is currently completing an economic development designation at the University of Waterloo. Send email to: ann.weir at uclg.on.ca View a PDF of Ann's bio. Connect with Ann on LinkedIn
Deanna Clark, Economic Development Officer, ext. 5360 Deanna Clark is the Economic Development Officer for Leeds Grenville and joins Ann Weir in promoting a county-wide economic development approach. Deanna oversees the Invest in Leeds Grenville website with the goal of providing the most up-to-date information possible for existing and potential businesses, investors, newcomers and visitors. She also provides content and photographs for the Leeds Grenville Discover website. Deanna is involved in ongoing business retention and marketing projects and spearheads the bi-weekly online Economic Development eNewsletter. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Trent University, a Print Journalism and Photography Diploma from Algonquin College and brings 25 years of writing, editing and photography skills to the position. Send email to: deanna.clark at uclg.on.ca View a PDF of Deanna's bio Connect with Deanna on LinkedIn
Joanne Poll, Administrator & Communications Support, ext. 5362 Joanne Poll is the Economic Development Department Administrator and Communications Support for Leeds Grenville. She provides administrative and communications support for Ann Weir and Deanna Clark in the promotion of Leeds Grenville and its ten member municipalities. Joanne oversees the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail, and Tourism Visitor services offered at the 401 ONroute travel centres at Mallorytown. Joanne works to ensure the website is an up-to-date central repository of information for Leeds Grenville visitors, residents, municipal partners, existing business and industry, potential investors and site selectors, which includes a Business Directory - a listing of more than 4,500 Leeds Grenville businesses. Joanne has been in the Tourism industry for 20 years, is an IT specialist and holds a Photography Diploma from Algonquin College. Send email to: joanne.poll at uclg.on.ca
Shelbi McFarlane, Business Development Officer, ext. 5361 Shelbi McFarlane is the Business Development Officer for Leeds Grenville and joins the team in promoting regional economic development. Shelbi’s primary role is to help businesses of all sizes flourish in Leeds Grenville. With her background in municipal planning and investment attraction, Shelbi brings a helpful set of skills to those looking to expand or relocate their business into Leeds Grenville. Shelbi attended Carleton University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management, specializing in Development Studies and minoring in Economics. Since graduating she has nearly completed her Diploma in Municipal Administration through the AMCTO as well as an Economic Development certification through the University of Waterloo. Send email to shelbi.mcfarlane at uclg.on.ca
Jeanette Johnston, Small Business Development Officer, ext. 5363 Jeanette is the Small Business Development Officer for Leeds Grenville. Jeanette has a long history in Small Business starting out as a young adult in the insurance business and eventually having shares in the brokerage. After retiring from the insurance industry at the ripe old age of 30, Jeanette went on to own two businesses over the course of 13 years. Jeanette has also supported her husband‘s small business endeavours since 1998. With a passion for smart marketing and connecting people in the community, Jeanette loves working with Small Business. Send email to Jeanette.Johnston at uclg.on.ca
Carol Hardy, Small Business Program Assistant, ext. 5367 Carol brings over 20 years of small business experience to the team, ranging from operating several home-based businesses, mentoring home business operators and working as a partner in her husband’s company. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses to success. Carol is a lifelong learner and actively pursues opportunities to increase her skillset, business knowledge and personal development. Send email to Carol.Hardy at uclg.on.ca

Our staff

Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager, ext. 5365

Ann Weir is the Economic Development Manager for the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office. Since August 2008, Ann has undertaken a collaborative approach to Economic Development in the Counties.

Ann has developed and is currently implementing the corridors of opportunity, a way in which communities see the value of working together. She holds a Business Administration diploma in Finance from Durham College and is currently completing an economic development designation at the University of Waterloo.

Send email to: ann.weir at uclg.on.ca

View a PDF of Ann's bio.

Connect with Ann on LinkedIn

Deanna Clark, Economic Development Officer, ext. 5360

Deanna Clark is the Economic Development Officer for Leeds Grenville and joins Ann Weir in promoting a county-wide economic development approach. Deanna oversees the Invest in Leeds Grenville website with the goal of providing the most up-to-date information possible for existing and potential businesses, investors, newcomers and visitors. She also provides content and photographs for the Leeds Grenville Discover website.

Deanna is involved in ongoing business retention and marketing projects and spearheads the bi-weekly online Economic Development eNewsletter. Deanna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Trent University, a Print Journalism and Photography Diploma from Algonquin College and brings 25 years of writing, editing and photography skills to the position.

Send email to: deanna.clark at uclg.on.ca

View a PDF of Deanna's bio

Connect with Deanna on LinkedIn

Joanne Poll, Administrator & Communications Support, ext. 5362

Joanne Poll is the Economic Development Department Administrator and Communications Support for Leeds Grenville. She provides administrative and communications support for Ann Weir and Deanna Clark in the promotion of Leeds Grenville and its ten member municipalities.

Joanne oversees the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail, and Tourism Visitor services offered at the 401 ONroute travel centres at Mallorytown. Joanne works to ensure the website is an up-to-date central repository of information for Leeds Grenville visitors, residents, municipal partners, existing business and industry, potential investors and site selectors, which includes a Business Directory - a listing of more than 4,500 Leeds Grenville businesses.

Joanne has been in the Tourism industry for 20 years, is an IT specialist and holds a Photography Diploma from Algonquin College.

Send email to: joanne.poll at uclg.on.ca

Shelbi McFarlane, Business Development Officer, ext. 5361

Shelbi McFarlane, Business Development Officer

Shelbi McFarlane is the Business Development Officer for Leeds Grenville and joins the team in promoting regional economic development. Shelbi’s primary role is to help businesses of all sizes flourish in Leeds Grenville. With her background in municipal planning and investment attraction, Shelbi brings a helpful set of skills to those looking to expand or relocate their business into Leeds Grenville.
Shelbi attended Carleton University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management, specializing in Development Studies and minoring in Economics. Since graduating she has nearly completed her Diploma in Municipal Administration through the AMCTO as well as an Economic Development certification through the University of Waterloo.

Send email to shelbi.mcfarlane at uclg.on.ca

Jeanette Johnston, Small Business Development Officer, ext. 5363

Jeanette Johnston Jeanette is the Small Business Development Officer for Leeds Grenville. Jeanette has a long history in Small Business starting out as a young adult in the insurance business and eventually having shares in the brokerage. After retiring from the insurance industry at the ripe old age of 30, Jeanette went on to own two businesses over the course of 13 years. Jeanette has also supported her husband‘s small business endeavours since 1998. With a passion for smart marketing and connecting people in the community, Jeanette loves working with Small Business.

Send email to Jeanette.Johnston at uclg.on.ca

Carol Hardy, Small Business Program Assistant, ext. 5367

Caroline Hardy Carol brings over 20 years of small business experience to the team, ranging from operating several home-based businesses, mentoring home business operators and working as a partner in her husband’s company. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses to success. Carol is a lifelong learner and actively pursues opportunities to increase her skillset, business knowledge and personal development.

Send email to Carol.Hardy at uclg.on.ca