Candy Pollard has been hired to head up the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre.

PHOTO CREDIT - City of Cornwall

Cornwall - Feb. 4, 2011 - A familiar face has been chosen to head up the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre.

Candy Pollard, the long-time marketing and events coordinator with Cornwall and Seaway Valley Tourism, has joined the Cornwall economic development team as the new business consultant with the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre, officials announced on Friday.

City economic development manager Mark Boileau said Pollard brings with her a track record of service to the local business community along with experience in running her own business.

"Small business is the lifeblood of a community, and Ms. Pollard is well suited to mentoring entrepreneurs and delivering the programs of the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre," Boileau stated.

In her previous role at the tourism office, Pollard worked with dozens of small business owners to realize their marketing and business objectives. She is also a current board member of Kinsmen Cornwall Lift-Off, and in 2008, she chaired the organizing committee for the RBC Cup National Junior A Hockey Championship. Pollard has also operated Studio C Dance School for the past 20 years, helping many children develop skills and an appreciation for dancing. She is a long-time member of Team Cornwall.

The business enterprise centre provides support to start-up and small enterprises during their initial years of development and operation. Entrepreneurs are provided with business consulting services and information covering management, marketing, technology and financing.

The centre also administers the popular Summer Company program for student entrepreneurs.

The business enterprise centre is a program of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT), and is operated in partnership with the City of Cornwall. The centre's office recently relocated to the Cornwall Civic Complex.