Zorra-Now-Winter 2025-Web

TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY INFORMATION TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY INFORMATION 28 Zorra Now | Winter 2025 Zorra Now | Winter 2025 29 In the heart of Southwestern Ontario, something remarkable is happening. Across the rolling farmland and vibrant small towns of Rural Oxford, entrepreneurs are finding the perfect balance between opportunity and community. Whether you’re launching a new agri-business, expanding your shop floor, or exploring value-added food production, Rural Oxford offers the kind of business environment that helps ideas grow, quite literally. Aplace where business feels personal What makes Rural Oxford unique isn’t just its location or affordability, it’s the people. From Zorra to Norwich, and Tavistock to South-West Oxford, business owners consistently describe one common thread: a genuine sense of connection. Here, when you start or expand your business, you’re not just investing in a piece of land, you’re joining a network of local partners, mentors, and supporters who want to see you succeed. The Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation helps foster those relationships, making it easier for businesses to navigate permits, find land, connect with local suppliers, and tap into community programs. As one local entrepreneur put it, “It’s not about competition — it’s about collaboration. When one business grows, the whole community benefits.” Strength rooted in agriculture — and innovation Agriculture has always been the backbone of Oxford County. But today’s rural economy is diversifying fast. Alongside traditional farms are food processors, manufacturers, logistics companies, and tech-driven agri-businesses all taking root here. With reliable infrastructure, a skilled local workforce, and proximity to major markets, Rural Oxford gives businesses the tools to compete globally while maintaining that small-town quality of life. It’s also a place where innovation doesn’t just happen in labs, it happens in fields, workshops, and home- based businesses every day. Entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to use renewable energy, adopt automation, and develop new tourism experiences that highlight the county’s agricultural heritage. Ready access to support and growth opportunities Doing business in Rural Oxford means you’re never going it alone. Through partnerships with organizations like Community Futures Oxford, Tourism Oxford, and local municipalities, the Rural Oxford EDC connects entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Programs like the Tourism Innovation Grant and Discover Rural Oxford initiative showcase the county’s commitment to helping businesses tell their stories, attract visitors, and expand their reach. Whether you’re exploring succession planning, seeking site-selection support, or simply looking for the right people to help your vision take shape, there’s a team ready to help you every step of the way. Where business and lifestyle go hand in hand One of the most overlooked advantages of Rural Oxford is the lifestyle it offers. Wide open spaces, shorter commutes, safe communities, and strong schools make it an ideal place to raise a family — and to run a business that feels like part of something bigger. Entrepreneurs here often say their success isn’t measured only in profits, but in the quality of relationships, community pride, and balance they’ve found. The next chapter starts here Rural Oxford continues to evolve, shaped by innovators who see potential in every acre and every main street storefront. Whether you’re a long-time resident ready to take the next step or an entrepreneur looking for room to grow, this is a place where your business can thrive supported by people who understand what it takes to build something lasting. To learn more about doing business in Rural Oxford — from site selection to community programs — visit ruraloxford.ca or contact the Rural Oxford Economic Development Corporation to start your journey. Building a Future in Rural Oxford: Why Entrepreneurs Thrive Here November 10, 2025 Zorra Heritage Group Identifying Historic “Greats of Zorra” Dr. Gordon Murray was born in 1894, one of six children. His family lived in Zorra near Harrington, and his early education was in Zorra. He interrupted his medical training in Toronto to join the Canadian Army as an artillery gunner ranked as sergeant major in WWI. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1921 and had further surgery training in England and New York, before returning to Toronto in 1928. Dr. Murray went on to gain international recognition for his work on heparin, an anticoagulant; surgical correction of congenital heart defects; and research on an artificial kidney. Dr. Murray received the Order of Canada in 1967 and died in Toronto in 1976. The Beachville District Historical Society’s Zorra Heritage group is currently developing the stories of individuals connected to, but not necessarily born in Zorra, who before their death gained recognition for contributions beyond the Township. Currently there are 78 on the group’s “Greats of Zorra” list. Additional suggestions are always welcome. The next Zorra Heritage group meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., at the Beachville District Museum. Zorra resident or not, you are welcome. The following summarizes the career of one of the people listed: Keep up to date on news and events in Zorra Township www.zorra.ca Follow us on Instagram! @ZorraTwp Find us on Facebook! Township of Zorra Follow us on LinkedIn! Township of Zorra