Brantford, Ontario. I returned to Brantford in 2004 after experiencing a 20 year career in music that brought me to all corners of the world. During my 20 year touring career, my wife Nancy and I lived in Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, in Park City Utah, in Montreal and Toronto.
Heading back to Brantford after 20 years left much to uncertainty. But we were quite pleased learn about Brantford’s developments in the cultural, residential, commercial and industrial industries.
My wife Nancy volunteered 3 years on the Brantford Cultural Network Committee that introduced the City of Brantford Cultural Plan which was adopted by the City of Brantford in 2005.
She also spearheaded an arts conference that gathered artists, promoters, media and presenters to network and promote local arts initiative. She also volunteered one year on the committee that founded Doors Open Brant, a great event that has heritage buildings opening its doors for free to the public.
I continue to serve on the Board of Directors of the Brantford Club. The Brantford Club is a private social club that produces social events for its private members. It also encourages networking for business professionals and offers a home for anyone seeking to host a corporate event, business meeting, reception and so on.
Today Nancy continues to actively volunteer in the arts and sits on the fundraising committee for the Brantford Symphony Orchestra.
This year, I chose to lend my support to the new construction of a 400+ seat theatre in Paris Ontario also known as the Brant Cultural Centre Project. Please do read up on this as I strongly believe it will offer huge benefits to our artists, local vendors and tourism trade. It has terrific unique sponsorship opportunities that any local business would want to be part of. Visit http://www.bccproject.ca/
I also collaborated with the Expositor, Executive Reality and Snap On Tools on a fundraising effort for the Sunshine Dreams for Kids that currently this year alone, has raised over 38 thousand dollars to help make a sick child’s dream come true. Read more about that here: http://www.sunshine.ca/pub/Page.aspx?&pid=363&srcid=367
Brantford has been a great bedroom community offering growth and opportunity. Laurier University Brantford Campus has a stronghold on some of that growth, allowing the downtown to experience re-development with great strides.
Both real-estate developers and retailers have jumped on the band-wagon, investing in both sides of the 403. It feels like this city is exploding with opportunity.
Our son Adrian is quite involved. He has been taking violin lessons with the Suzuki School of Music in Brantford. He graduated from Suzuki Violin Book 1 last year, and is currently working in book 2 (equal to conservatory book 3). This year he stars as “Oliver” in the BCI High School production of Oliver which debuts in spring 2007. He gets actively involved in soccer, swimming, art classes at Glenhyrst Art Gallery, and in the summer, we love to take advantage of miles and miles of beautiful bike trails Brantford has to offer.
What’s great about Brantford is that it is only 1/2 hour from the beach of Port Dover. It’s only about 1 hour away to the nearest ski hill. Only 50 minutes away from Toronto. Only 1 hour away from Niagara on the Lake. And you can choose any one of 4 airports that surround you to depart to your next destination.
If you are thinking of relocation, investigate the opportunities in Brantford. I highly recommend a couple of real-estate agents that may be able to help you find your next Brantford lot, house for sale, and/or your next commercial and/or industrial property.
I am loyal to both of these real-estate agents I’m about to recommend. Both are Great at what they do!
I’ve bought and sold and made money as a result of doing business with Brantford Real Estate Agent Martin Sarkissian from Acme Reality (think of the Road Runner!) http://www.acmerealty.ca/
and
Another great option is to do business with Brantford Remax Real Estate Agent Jeffery Sullivan. I have the priviledge of sitting on the Board of the Brantford Club with him and as a result, have learned he is not only a terrific guy, but he’s also a very honest businessman.
http://www.brantfordhomeinfo.com/
You can’t go wrong with either of these guys!
That’s my Brantford Real Estate business recommendation of the month!
Paul Tobey
