News Round Up | August 2025
- Chris Herbert
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
We get it—you're busy. That's why we've put together these quick article roundups, updated weekly(ish), here's what we cover: UN SDGs, entrepreneurship, marketing, and local news for Grey and Bruce Counties. Get the key takeaways and actionable advice you need, fast.
New = Aug 10 update
UN SDGs
Canada’s Clean Tech Opportunity Hinges on Smarter Execution—and Broader Vision
Canada risks falling behind in clean tech despite strong policy signals. While $93B in tax credits were announced in Budget 2023, delays, narrow definitions, and weak program delivery stall progress. Experts call for faster permitting, improved procurement, and expanded eligibility for innovations like water and nature tech.
Insight: Entrepreneurs should advocate for SDG-aligned strategies that tie economic incentives to ecological outcomes—particularly in sectors like agriculture where sustainability must "make dollars and sense." | Read more
Collective Leadership Drives Canada's Sustainability Agenda
Canada’s Clean50 honourees stress that meaningful climate action requires multi-sector collaboration, not siloed efforts. Leaders from business, academia, and government highlight successes like policy shifts, investment in clean technologies, and Indigenous-led conservation. The article emphasizes that change is accelerated when leaders adopt shared goals and transparent communication.
Insight: Entrepreneurs and executives should seek cross-sector partnerships and contribute to aligned, collective climate goals to amplify their sustainability impact and influence policy. | Read more
Agroforestry as Climate Strategy: Integrating Trees on Canadian Farms
Canada’s farmlands could host a billion new trees to boost climate resilience—if adoption barriers like complex funding and maintenance costs are resolved. Korotu’s Aroa Platform helps farmers plan, finance, and track the impact of tree-based land use.
Insight: Align agri-incentives with long-term profitability to scale agroforestry.| Read more
Bees as Biodiversity Catalysts in Achieving Global Sustainability Goals
Bees support food security, forest health, and rural livelihoods, playing a pivotal role in meeting multiple SDGs. Their decline poses a threat to both ecosystems and economic systems globally.
Insight: Incorporate pollinator-friendly practices into ag strategies and CSR planning.| Read more
Universities Push for Stronger Role in Post-2030 Sustainability Agenda
At the UN's HLPF, academic leaders emphasized the underrecognized role of universities in driving climate solutions and SDG progress. A new global symposium signals efforts to shape the post-2030 development framework with higher education at the table.
Insight: Entrepreneurs and academia should jointly shape sustainability frameworks to unlock policy alignment and funding.| Read more
Coupling Agricultural Industrialization and Rural Infrastructure to Achieve SDG-9
A recent study highlights how synchronized investment in ag industrialization and infrastructure can fast-track rural development while boosting climate resilience. This strategy could transform underperforming ag economies into engines of SDG-aligned growth.
Insight: Integrate rural ag strategies with infrastructure investment to unlock scalable, sustainable growth.| Read more
Entrepreneurship & Venture Development
AI Spending Boom Becomes a Double-Edged Sword for U.S. Economy
Big Tech’s $350B+ annual AI infrastructure spree is now a key driver of U.S. economic growth—potentially contributing 0.7% of GDP in 2025. But this AI-fueled momentum also deepens economic dependence on a volatile sector. While construction and chip demand surge, long-term job creation may lag. Analysts warn that if returns don’t materialize, the AI boom could become a bust.
Insight: Entrepreneurs should watch AI infrastructure investments closely—opportunities abound in supply chains and talent, but risk exposure must be managed. | Read more
Prompt Engineering Is a New Literacy—Learn to Speak AI
AI efficiency gains aren't automatic—they require fluency in a hybrid language between English and code. Ian Burgess outlines how mastering prompt precision based on a model’s likely accuracy is key to getting value from LLMs. Tasks should be structured based on confidence: use natural language for high-accuracy predictions, break tasks down for moderate accuracy, and pivot to editing or debugging when model performance is weak.
Insight: Entrepreneurs should develop a prompting strategy tailored to task complexity and model reliability—treating prompt design as a core business skill. | Read more
Femtech Canada Launches Program to Accelerate Health Tech for Women
Femtech Canada’s new commercialization program aims to fast-track women’s health innovations from lab to market. The initiative provides mentorship, investor access, and business development support.
Insight: Entrepreneurs should leverage targeted accelerators to shorten the path to market readiness.| Read more
Marketing, Sales and Business Development
Why LinkedIn Is the Smartest Bet for B2B Marketing Right Now
With buying committees averaging 11 decision-makers and purchase cycles growing longer, LinkedIn’s unique ability to influence all stakeholders makes it essential for B2B marketers. The platform offers high trust, professional context, and superior targeting. Data shows LinkedIn drives 2x higher conversion rates and 2.7x greater brand lift than other platforms.
Insight: B2B marketers should prioritize LinkedIn for full-funnel engagement, especially in complex sales cycles where credibility and multi-touch influence are key. | Read more
The 5 Activities of Successful Salespeople: Propose to Close
Paul Hogendoorn shares how starting small and building trust through iterative proposals can turn modest deals into major revenue. A story of one $9K foothold becoming a $50M account proves that early “yeses” matter.
Insight: Use agile, incremental proposals to land early wins and build long-term customer value.| Read more
LinkedIn Post: Collaboration as the Ultimate Marketing Growth Hack
Moor Asalam outlines how co-marketing, co-branding, and strategic partnerships can double reach and reduce costs. True collaboration multiplies impact while sharing risk and reward.
Insight: Build value-aligned partnerships that deliver joint outcomes and amplify customer trust.| Read more
CMOs Say Customer-Centricity Drives Growth, But Few Deliver
While 84% of CMOs believe customer-centricity is vital, less than half feel their company lives it. The gap stems from fragmented data, poor cross-team coordination, and outdated tech.
Insight: Fix internal misalignment and data silos to operationalize customer-focused strategies.| Read more
LinkedIn Post: Carney’s Climate Silence Raises Questions from Clean Tech Advocates
Gavin Pitchford questions PM Mark Carney’s climate commitment after “climate” was omitted from mandate letters. The post calls for public pressure to prioritize clean tech over fossil fuel infrastructure.
Insight: Clean economy leaders must actively shape political narratives to align national priorities with future markets.| Read more
Grey & Bruce Counties
Owen Sound Chamber Surveys Businesses on Tariff Impacts
The Owen Sound Chamber of Commerce is gathering local business feedback on how U.S. and Canadian tariffs are affecting operations, costs, and competitiveness. Results will inform advocacy efforts with policymakers to reduce negative economic impacts and support trade stability.
Insight: Businesses should participate in industry surveys to ensure their challenges are represented in policy discussions—strengthening collective bargaining power. | Read more
Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board Faces Severe Backlogs
Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) is overwhelmed, with significant delays in resolving disputes between property owners and renters. The backlog affects housing stability, cash flow for landlords, and trust in the system. Calls are growing for increased staffing, streamlined processes, and better resource allocation to address the crisis.
Insight: Real estate investors and property managers should anticipate extended resolution times and adapt strategies—such as clearer contracts and proactive communication—to mitigate risks. | Read more
The Buzz on Pollinator Plants: Boosting Biodiversity and Local Yields
Pollinator plants are critical for supporting bees, butterflies, and other species essential to healthy ecosystems and local agriculture. Choosing native species enhances biodiversity, improves crop yields, and reduces maintenance. The article encourages communities and landowners to integrate pollinator-friendly gardens into landscapes for environmental and economic benefits.
Insight: Entrepreneurs in agriculture, landscaping, or eco-tourism can leverage pollinator-friendly initiatives to meet sustainability goals while strengthening brand value. | Read more
Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame Announces 2025 Inductees
The Bruce Grey Music Hall of Fame has revealed its Class of 2025, honouring local musicians and industry figures who’ve shaped the region’s cultural landscape. The inductees represent a range of genres and eras, highlighting the area’s rich musical heritage. This celebration not only preserves local history but also draws visitors to regional events.
Insight: Businesses can align with cultural milestones to strengthen community ties and attract tourism-related revenue. | Read more
"Gather in Grey" Video Showcases Owen Sound’s Culinary Scene
A new Gather in Grey video spotlights the diversity of Owen Sound restaurants, from farm-to-table dining to global cuisines, as part of a broader push to promote Grey County’s tourism economy. The campaign positions local eateries as a key draw for visitors seeking authentic food experiences tied to the region’s culture and scenery.
Insight: Tourism-focused businesses can boost reach by collaborating on cross-promotional content that ties local culture to visitor experiences. | Read more
Grey County Funds 12 Youth Climate Projects to Spark Local Impact
Grey County awarded funds to 12 youth-led projects tackling climate education, pollinator protection, and waste reduction. The fund empowers young leaders and enhances local environmental stewardship.
Insight: Partnering with youth-led climate initiatives can boost local engagement and public goodwill.| Read more
Kincardine Approved as Residency Site by Western University
Kincardine will now host medical residents through Western’s Schulich School, addressing rural health care gaps. This could help attract and retain physicians in underserved areas.
Insight: Local businesses should prepare for increased demand in housing, services, and amenities.| Read more
NWMO’s Second DGR Proposal Rekindles Tensions in South Bruce
A letter to the editor argues that NWMO’s renewed push for a second DGR undermines trust with local residents. Concerns include transparency, safety, and repeated consultation fatigue.
Insight: Rebuilding public trust requires clear, community-led processes—not just re-engagement.| Read more
Georgian Bluffs and Chatsworth to Decommission Costly Biodigester
The $10M biodigester will be dismantled after years of financial underperformance and limited environmental return. Councils cited unmanageable operating costs and shifting priorities.
Insight: Green infrastructure must be backed by sound business models and realistic performance metrics.| Read more
Grey County Streamlines Archaeological Assessments to Speed Development
New policy changes aim to reduce delays in development permits by simplifying archaeological assessment protocols. This move supports faster housing and commercial project approvals.
Insight: Developers and local investors should engage early to benefit from process improvements.| Read more
Kincardine Business Forum to Focus on Economic Development
A new forum will bring together businesses and policymakers to explore growth opportunities and workforce needs. The event aims to shape a sustainable economic future for the region.
Insight: Forums like this offer early insights into funding priorities, partnerships, and policy trends.| Read more
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