NII and RBC conclude Small Business Month with economic insights for local businesses

NII Connects events help support economic development in Bruce, Grey and Huron

How can small businesses prepare for economic changes in the year ahead? What do these larger trends mean for this region’s growth and its contributions to the wider economy?

As Small Business Month came to a close this week, the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII), in partnership with RBC, hosted an insightful NII Connects event—focused on the economic landscape for small businesses. Tailored specifically for local small business owners and economic development leaders, the event emphasized economic forecasts and key industry insights relevant to the region’s growth and success.

Claire Fan, Economist, RBC, delivers economic projections for 2025, focusing on the challenges and opportunities ahead for the Canadian economy.

The program featured an update from Bruce Power’s John Peevers, Director, Community, Media Relations & Economic Development, and RBC Economist Claire Fan. Peevers shared Bruce Power’s current economic impact, ongoing activities and projects, and discussed opportunities for growth including in medical isotopes, a potential Bruce C project and more.

Claire Fan’s presentation provided valuable economic projections for 2025, equipping attendees with the knowledge to navigate the upcoming economic landscape. Attendees engaged in a dynamic Q&A session where Fan addressed pressing questions around interest and employment rates, inflation and mortgages. The presentation focused on both challenges and opportunities ahead for the Canadian economy.

“NII is committed to supporting the growth and resilience of our local economy,” said NII’s Chad Richards, Senior Director – Policy & Partnerships. “This event underscores NII’s commitment to empowering local businesses and stakeholders with meaningful information on economic trends and development opportunities.”

L-R: Chad Richards, Senior Director – Policy & Partnerships, Nuclear Innovation Institute; Claire Fan, Economist, RBC; John Peevers, Director, Community, Media Relations & Economic Development, Bruce Power; Michelle Eccles, Vice President Commercial Financial Services, Huron Perth Oxford Grey Bruce Commercial Markets, RBC.

“By bringing together small business owners and economic leaders with experts who can provide critical insights, we’re helping equip our communities with the tools and knowledge to thrive,” said RBC’s Michelle Eccles, Vice President Commercial Financial Services, Huron Perth Oxford Grey Bruce Commercial Markets.

Stay tuned for future NII Connects events and learn more about the Clean Energy Frontier at: nii.ca/clean-energy-frontier.