A world leader in the manufacturing of search and rescue markers is found right here in Leeds Grenville. HFI Pyrotechnics Inc.'s Pyrotechnic Centre of Excellence, the only one in Canada, is located on a 500-acre controlled goods parcel of land on Hands Road in Edwardsburgh Cardinal Township. "We ship our products around the world," says HFI President and CEO John Witherspoon. HFI offers pyrotechnic engineering, testing and production and is known for product consistency and safety. "We have lots of room to grow the business," says John, who credits his team of 60 employees with the company's successes and its evolution from a single-product business to a major world supplier of multiple safety and training items.

Nestled in the breathtaking and peaceful Bethany Hills near Pontypool lies a unique family farm that is helping to redefine the way people see and interact with rural life. The site emphasizes the inherent beauty as well as the bounty provided by nature, and the power of community and gathering together to celebrate good food, family friends and a simpler, more sedate and sustainable life. Such is the experience one has when pulling into the driveway at South Pond Farms, which has been owned and operated since 2006 by Danielle French, who is also the inspired creative force behind all of its amenities and special programs. Working alongside her partner Shawn and oldest daughter Carlyle Apps, it is a busy site, with visitors coming from far and wide to walk the grounds and the neighbouring Kawartha Land Trust trails, or to indulge their palate with the regular lunches or special dinners, a monthly First Nations event. As well the farm is playing host to more family celebrations and retreats. As the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, and in order to be able to live full time on her dream property, French needed to maximize the revenue generating potential of the farm. Her long standing love of cooking started the ball rolling, and soon one idea and one necessary change to the almost continual expansion and diversification of the property’s uses and facilities over the past decade.

Pharmacist Mayur Vadher's goal is giving rural residents convenient access to prescription services and health care. It's why he opened the Mallorytown Pharmacy & Health Centre earlier this year in Front of Yonge Township. "This community is very welcoming and very positive, says Mayur. "They're happy they have a pharmacy and a walk-in clinic in their own community and we're happy to be here." A pharmacist with over five years of experience, Mayur found Mallorytown area residents, including a large number of seniors, had to travel for all of their medical needs. Many are now welcoming having these services closer to home, he says. His customer/patient list continues to grow daily. "I found this is an ideal spot and I've had very good help from the township."

It’s only been a year, but Pie Eyed Monk Brewery has become the talk of the town in Lindsay, as those seeking an authentic craft beer experience, incorporating excellent food and an inviting atmosphere, have been flocking to the facility to sample their tasty and refreshing wares. The story of the creation of what has become a genuine culinary attraction, blending modern amenities and design aesthetic with the charm of the original Victorian brick structure, is a remarkable tale of community spirit and entrepreneurial acumen. In short, a need was identified and filled by a collection of local business leaders taking advantage of a prime, but underused locale, anchored by a thriving craft beer operation, melded with a delightfully inviting restaurant and event space. Pie Eyed Monk Brewery has been a boon to the tourism and culinary sectors within the region, and their success continues to grow along with their reputation for service excellence.

The kitchen of the Pastry King's Princess is alive with the sound of mixers and the smell of warm cookies and butter. Ingrid Van Dusen - the namesake of the Pastry King's Princess - is in constant motion at her thriving business off Centennial Road. Her cheerful staff is also moving between bakery tins, icing bowls and putting the finishing touches on intricate pastries and fan favourites. Meanwhile the shop door is swinging open with a steady stream of customers.

With many families showing greater interest in where their food comes from, how it’s produced and what ingredients are used, the simple, homespun, all-natural cheese making techniques that the folks at Wilton Cheese have been using for decades are as important as they have ever been. It’s that constant and consistent dedication to quality, to natural methods and ingredients that has made the company a staple on local dinner tables, lunch boxes, retailers and restaurants for years, and has also made the factory itself a kind of food tourism destination for three or four generations of families.

North Augusta - Robert and Darlene Jones are the names behind R&D Dairies, an established dairy product distribution company based in Augusta Township. The local company delivers to more than 120 customers, including restaurants, hotels, motels, schools and convenience stores and distributes a host of products from tiny creamers to large containers of ice cream. "We pride ourselves on our delivery services," says Robert, adding they operate 6 days a week and cover communities along the Highway 401 corridor from Gananoque to Cornwall, as well as locations north to Smiths Falls and Rideau Ferry. Many are long-term customers who appreciate reliable, friendly service. "We like to be known for our old-fashioned customer service," says Darlene.

There were two major tipping points that led directly to the creation of this innovative and pioneering company, The Green Beaver Company. It makes sense that they were ‘major’ tipping points, because they would have to be to compel two eminently qualified and experienced scientists working for large corporations to give up their tenure and salaries to become essentially do-it-yourself entrepreneurs. If not for these tipping points, the world may now not have the benefits of a growing company that is focused on providing natural skin care, cosmetics and personal care products, offering safe, sustainable solutions to individuals and families seeking to live healthier, more holistic lives, and in doing so, lowering their personal environmental footprint.

The owner of the Downtowne Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe says it all started after finding an ice cream maker at an equipment show 15 years ago. "We never looked back," says Shelley. "It's been a lot of fun and allowed me to have a creative outlet." Since then, Shelley has created hundreds of flavour combinations of ice cream and gelato. Many have become famous and staples at the 165 St. Lawrence Street shop where they also make onsite handmade truffles, chocolate bars, caramels and other treats using fair trade Belgian chocolate.

Hard work, dedication and the utmost gratitude has been the perfect recipe for success for Milligan Meats butcher shop located in the heart of Cloyne in Lennox and Addington County. Owners Brian and Joanna Milligan have an unparalleled loyalty to their community that radiates through their enthusiasm, customer focus and passion for their employees. “I get goosebumps when I say it, but the people that come here locals and tourists alike, they are grateful," said Brian. "To have a business where people come in and they are grateful you are here, it makes you feel so incredible."