News Round Up | July 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), click on the links over there => to see what we're covering on: UN SDGs, entrepreneurship, marketing, and local news for Grey and Bruce Counties. Get the key takeaways and actionable advice you need, fast.
UN SDGs
The Two-Bedroom Trap: Housing Design’s Hidden Barrier to Growing Families
Restrictive zoning and cost-driven condo design have flooded cities with two-bedroom units, pushing growing families out or into cramped quarters, eroding school enrolment and neighbourhood diversity.
Actionable Insight: Developers and advocates should lobby for inclusionary-zoning amendments and density bonuses that guarantee a share of three-bedroom units in every new multifamily project. | Read more
Rethinking Urban Green Spaces: Equity and Environmental Justice in City Planning
Mapping 50 U.S. cities shows low-income and racialized blocks hold 42 % less high-quality parkland, amplifying heat stress and asthma. Researchers propose an “equitable green-access index” to steer climate funds and track progress.
Actionable Insight: Municipal budget teams should allocate tree-planting and park upgrades by the index so nature-poor neighbourhoods receive first investment and rapid-build shade structures. | Read more
Entrepreneurship and Venture Development
Canadian Tech Leaders Urge Founders to Set Boundaries and Define Success on Their Own Terms
At Homecoming, a Canadian tech event, top founders and investors emphasized the importance of learning to say “no”—to burnout, unsustainable scaling, and external definitions of success. Speakers like Michele Romanow and Eva Wong stressed prioritizing mental health, setting values-based goals, and challenging hustle culture norms.
Actionable Insight: Founders should codify personal and organizational boundaries early—such as max work hours or revenue vs. impact trade-offs—to build ventures that last. | Read more
Drive Capital’s Second Act: Doubling Down on the Midwest After a Breakup
After the departure of co-founder Chris Olsen, Drive Capital sharpened its focus on Midwest-based startups, raising $1B across new funds. Success stories like Duolingo and Olive AI prove the region’s VC viability. By leaning into founder relationships and local roots, Drive is reasserting itself as a top-tier non-coastal firm.
Actionable Insight: Entrepreneurs outside tech hubs should seek regional VCs prioritizing relationship capital and domain proximity over trend-chasing. | Read more
Resilience Over Revenue: What’s Driving Today’s Small Business Owners
GoDaddy’s 2025 survey shows 73 % of founders equate success with autonomy and fulfilment over raw revenue; 64 % remain optimistic, leaning on AI chatbots, local sourcing, and side-hustle diversification.
Actionable Insight: Advisors should position offerings around flexibility—modular SaaS, usage-based financing, and purpose-driven branding—to mirror founders’ values-first priorities. | Read more
Scaling a Business Without Burning Out: A Founder’s Framework for Sustainable Growth
Shenoy Das ties ops targets to a “capacity budget” that schedules sleep, workouts, deep-work blocks, automation audits, and quarterly week-off resets—letting revenue climb while stress markers fall.
Actionable Insight: Track sleep, HRV, focus hours, and P&L on one dashboard; cap growth sprints at your lowest wellness metric to prevent burnout before it begins. | Read more
Different Kinds of Smart: Leveraging Cognitive Diversity
Collab Fund identifies six intelligences—analytical, pattern, curiosity, emotional, probabilistic, discipline—each dominant at different venture stages; over-hiring one type breeds blind spots and slower pivots.
Actionable Insight: Build a cognitive matrix linking roadmap phases to the “smart” style required, then recruit or rotate talent so every milestone has its ideal thinker. | Read more
Marketing, Sales and Business Development
Experience Over Everything: B2B Tech Buyers Trust Their Gut (and Past Vendors)
A new TrustRadius report shows 52% of B2B tech buyers rely most on their own prior experience—surpassing demos, reviews, and even free trials. While price remains the top purchase driver, repeat exposure and trust matter more than ever. With AI playing a growing role in content discovery, marketers should prioritize transparent pricing and amplify testimonials from return customers.
Actionable Insight: Focus on retention, user experience, and case studies to stay top of mind between buying cycles. | Read more
Millennials and Gen Z Want Brands That Do More Than Sell
A new survey finds 79% of Millennials and 75% of Gen Z want brands to take clear social stands. Authenticity, diversity, and sustainable practices are now baseline expectations. These cohorts also reward brands that engage in two-way dialogue and show cultural fluency—not just polished ads.
Actionable Insight: Brands targeting younger consumers should embed values into operations, not just campaigns, and create participatory content to foster real-time engagement. | Read more
Driving SMB Growth with Empathy and Data: Insights from Google’s Elana Chan
Google’s SMB marketing chief says growth now hinges on pairing AI-powered audience insights with human storytelling. Her playbook: weekly creative sprints, short-form video “moments,” and inclusive language that mirrors customer values.
Actionable Insight: Deploy Performance Max or similar AI suites to auto-generate assets, then refine copy in a human voice to raise click-through and lifetime value together. | Read more
Grey and Bruce Counties
Owen Sound Calls for Community Dialogue on Public Drug Use
In response to rising concerns over public drug use, Owen Sound is convening a stakeholder meeting to discuss harm reduction, public safety, and support services. Officials aim to balance compassion with community standards, bringing together health providers, police, business owners, and residents for joint problem-solving.
Actionable Insight: Local businesses should engage early in these discussions to help shape pragmatic policies that support both public health and downtown vibrancy. | Read more
MIFF 2025 Lineup Blends Global Cinema with Small-Town Spirit
The Meaford International Film Festival (MIFF) returns with a diverse 2025 lineup, including international features, documentaries, and panel discussions that bring global issues to local audiences. With strong community sponsorship and post-film socials, MIFF continues to boost Meaford’s cultural profile and tourism economy.
Actionable Insight: Local businesses should leverage MIFF’s draw through pop-ups, partnerships, or themed promotions that tap into the festival’s engaged, culturally curious audience. | Read more
Bruce Power’s Community Vision Ties Energy Investment to Local Prosperity
Bruce Power’s “Community Matters” initiative outlines a long-term strategy that links clean energy production with regional development. Investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and Indigenous partnerships aim to ensure nuclear innovation directly benefits surrounding communities. The plan emphasizes transparency, job creation, and environmental responsibility.
Actionable Insight: Local businesses should explore supplier opportunities or co-develop community programs aligned with Bruce Power’s regional investment themes. | Read more
Bruce Peninsula Braces for Summer Surge as Park Visits Climb
Parks Canada staff anticipate another record-setting summer on the Bruce Peninsula, urging visitors to plan ahead due to capacity limits, parking shortages, and fragile ecosystems. Increased tourism boosts local business but strains infrastructure and conservation efforts, prompting tighter visitor management and educational outreach.
Actionable Insight: Tourism operators should align with Parks Canada messaging, offer shuttle or off-peak packages, and prepare for sustainability-minded travellers seeking low-impact experiences. | Read more
Owen Sound’s Historic Black Church Reopens as a Cultural Beacon
The reopening of Owen Sound’s British Methodist Episcopal Church—central to the Underground Railroad legacy—marks a milestone in preserving Black Canadian heritage. Restoration was driven by local volunteers and historians, reaffirming the site’s role in education and reconciliation. Its revival now anchors community tours and cultural programming.
Actionable Insight: Heritage tourism operators and educators can build partnerships around restored cultural landmarks to deepen storytelling and attract values-driven visitors. | Read more
Pride Celebrations in Grey-Bruce Emphasize Inclusion Beyond Urban Centres
Owen Sound and surrounding Grey-Bruce communities hosted vibrant Pride events, underscoring the growing visibility and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ residents in rural Ontario. Organizers emphasized safety, allyship, and year-round inclusion—not just symbolic celebrations. Local businesses, schools, and municipal leaders played key roles in expanding participation.
Actionable Insight: Rural entrepreneurs and civic leaders can boost community engagement by aligning with inclusive events that reflect evolving local demographics and values. | Read more
Sauble Sign Change Marks a Bold Reclaiming of Indigenous Identity
On Canada Day, Saugeen First Nation replaced the iconic “Welcome to Sauble Beach” sign with “Welcome to Sauble: Home of the Chippewas of Saugeen.” The change asserts sovereignty over disputed land while promoting cultural visibility. It also coincides with heightened tourism, sparking dialogue on reconciliation and territorial recognition.
Actionable Insight: Tourism businesses and municipalities should collaborate with Indigenous communities on branding and land use to foster trust and cultural alignment. | Read more
Legal Expertise Meets Leadership as Nawash Elects New Chief
The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation has elected retired legal scholar Deborah McGregor as chief, marking a shift toward rights-based governance rooted in both Indigenous law and environmental justice. Her background promises strong advocacy in land stewardship, treaty interpretation, and intergovernmental relations.
Actionable Insight: Organizations working with Indigenous communities should prepare for more legally grounded, sovereignty-focused negotiations—prioritizing relationship-building and shared decision-making frameworks. | Read more
Meaford’s Growth Spurt: Opportunity with Growing Pains
Meaford, Ontario is surging: $100 M post-pandemic builds, new eateries, and marquee festivals lift footfall, yet wastewater capacity, rising housing costs, and limited commercial inventory threaten momentum if upgrades lag.
Actionable Insight: Secure downtown space early, sequence launches with scheduled infrastructure expansions, and partner with heritage events to earn local trust as growth accelerates. | Read more
About These Roundups
In today's fast-paced world, staying on top of the latest news and insights is crucial for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and those thinking about starting their own businesses. That's why we've curated these concise article summaries. Our goal is to cut through the noise, helping you quickly grasp vital information, key takeaways, and actionable advice that can directly benefit your venture, all without having to sift through lengthy articles yourself.
We diligently monitor and select articles covering essential topics like UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), entrepreneurship and venture development, marketing, sales and business development, and specific economic and community insights relevant to Grey and Bruce Counties. We update these roundups (mostly) weekly throughout the month, ensuring you have fresh perspectives and timely information to help you navigate the business landscape.
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