Certainly, one of the fastest growing segments of our local economy is that of the young professional cohort and so many great investments are being created/carried out by those 40 and under.

If you’re one of them, or know of someone who should be nominated for this honour, click here:

The just-opened Needlework is a boutique fabric store and sewing room. Like the hip ones on Queen West in Toronto as well as London and New York, Needlework caters to a growing crowd of people who want to make it themselves.

Textile student Kate Hunter and friend Liz Simpson opened the store at 174 James St. N. after a year of planning, and a few “am I crazy?” doubts and worries, according to Hunter.

Needlework sells fabric and sewing supplies, including needles, thread, scissors, patterns, zippers and buttons. Since Eaton’s closed 13 years ago, stitchers in the King and James area had to trek to Ottawa Street just for a thimble.What makes Needlework unique is the classes they hold — from basic sewing to more skilled projects such as making shirts and pants. The three-hour sessions on evenings and weekends are $45, plus materials.

Hunter and Simpson will teach some of the basic courses and specialists have been recruited to teach quilting, felting, embroidery, even moccasin making.

Needlework is equipped with five Bernina sewing machines, a large work table, and an ironing station. Sewing machines can also be rented for $6 an hour for individual projects.

Opening Needlework is a leap of faith for the two twentysomethings. Hunter is a few months away from graduating Sheridan College’s textile design course. Simpson is self-taught in sewing and textile crafts.

Though it’s a passion for both women, they’re learning about the financial side of running a business. They received a $10,000 grant from the Canadian Youth Business Foundation.

“We had to make a business plan, and that really forced us to think through our goals and expectations,” says Hunter. A loan from “the bank of my parents” also helped, Hunter adds.

Equipment and furnishings were bought second hand, and the pair worked long hours painting and decorating the attractive space.

“The response has been amazing, especially on social media,” says Simpson. After mentions on Twitter and Facebook, they had a steady stream of visitors during the February Art Crawl.

“We were getting asked if we hemmed pants too. We sent people next door to Olinda’s for that work,” says Simpson.

A mini textile row might be developing on James North, next to Needlework, Olinda’s Fashion Studio does alterations, designs and dressmaking, and further north, Hansen and Lubbers make drapes and furniture coverings.

Fabric at Needlework is cotton, some of it organic with water-based dyes. The selection is a colourful blend of vintage and modern prints. Both women like the work of American textile design Amy Butler, and carry her whimsical fabrics. The average price is $14 a metre.

Visit iloveneedlework.com for a list of sewing classes and other projects.

Click here to read the full story from the Hamilton Spectator.

Click here to listen.

• Hamilton Wins Big at EDCO Awards
• Fox 40 Finds A New Home
• Small Business Enterprise Centre Events
• New Business Publication Coming to Hamilton
• March 26 – A Celebration of Business in Hamilton
  

Click here to read the February 2012 Hamilton Highlights newsletter.  If you are interested in signing up for the Hamilton Highlights newsletter, click here.

A major expansion is in store for a Hamilton company.

Columbian Chemicals announced Tuesday it has “entered the initial phase of expansion evaluation” of its local plant as demand for its products rises.

In a news release, the company said major global tire manufacturers have announced significant expansion programs in North America driving expected demand growth for the carbon black made in Hamilton beyond current production capacity.

The company did not reveal the value of the expansion or size of the project.

“Birla Carbon is committed to supporting our customers’ growth plans,” said John Loudermilk, Columbian’s President, North America. “The Hamilton Plant’s outstanding history of producing world class products, the proximity to our customer base, and the excellent talent pool in the Ontario region position us well to provide that support.”

Local plant manager Brian Young added: “This is an exciting opportunity for the Hamilton Plant and a testament to our outstanding workforce and the Hamilton Region.”

Columbian Chemicals is a division of Birla Carbon, the world leading carbon black business of the Adyta Birla Group, a $35B global conglomerate.

The company said it will begin the necessary permitting processes along with front end engineering in the first quarter of 2012 to confirm feasibility of new production capacity along with a state of the art energy center.

Phase 1 of the investment is expected to include an estimated 45,000 tonnes of new carbon black production capacity along with an energy centre designed to leverage efficiencies of the plant to supply electricity for both internal and external uses.

Click here to read the full story from the Hamilton Spectator.  Photo: Ron Albertson/The Hamilton Spectator

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamiltonblog/

We at Hamilton Economic Development would like to welcome CBC News to the neighbourhood and encourage the community to visit the downtown and see why there’s so much excitement in the core right now.

From new condo units, to hotel developments, to creative GTA firms setting up shop here, Downtown is on the way up and whether you’re looking to invest or just enjoy the social side of the core, you can find the information you need at www.investinhamilton.ca or through our friends at Tourism Hamilton via their website at www.tourismhamilton.com.

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Learn from our keynote speaker Jennifer Blakely of Alphabet Photography how she took with craft show business to a million dollar empire!  Don’t miss out on this dynamic event, call or register today!

Thursday, March 8, 2012 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
at Waterfront Centre, 555 Bay St N, Hamilton

Click here for more information or go to on-line registration

Focused on steel related technologies, this event is aimed at introducing McMaster University and CANMET Materials researchers to local businesses, with the intent of starting research collaborations that address a company-specific problem. You’ll hear short presentations from a dozen researchers working on steel related technologies and have an opportunity to talk to them about your research challenges.

Thursday, February 23, 2012 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
at CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory, Longwood Rd Hamilton

Click here for more information including registration details