2026 Salute to Brant Celebrates Local Business Community

The County of Brant’s business community came together last night to connect, celebrate and recognize local success at the 2026 Salute to Brant event.

The annual event brings together local business owners, community leaders and elected officials for an evening of networking, hearing from a keynote speaker, enjoying local food and drink, and ending with the presentation of the Salute to Brant Awards.

“Salute to Brant is one of my favourite events of the year,” said Mayor David Bailey. “Our local businesses contribute so much to the strength and character of the County of Brant, and I am proud to have an evening to bring us together to celebrate their many accomplishments.”

Held at the TF Warren Group Cainsville Community Centre, this year’s event once again included Jan Vilaca – also known as Spicy Jan - as the Master of Ceremonies and special guest speaker Ken Edgar. Ken, a seventh-generation farmer, shared his family’s journey of opening and operating The Paris Beer Company, highlighting the importance of perseverance and facing entrepreneurial challenges head-on.

“Salute to Brant is an opportunity to champion our local business community and show our appreciation for the businesses that call the County of Brant home”, said Zach Gable, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the County of Brant. “Their continued resiliency, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit help strengthen our local economy and make Brant a vibrant place to live, work and invest.”

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Salute to Brant Awards, recognizing the outstanding achievements of businesses across five categories: Accessible Brant Award, Brant Farms For All Agriculture Award, Brant Works Innovation Award, Good Times in Brant Award and the Our Future Brant Sustainability Award. Each award recipient received an award statuette as well as certificates from MP Dan Muys and MPP Will Bouma.

2026 award recipients are:

• Accessible Brant Award – STG Health and Wellness
• Brant Farms For All Agriculture Award – Browndale Farm
• Brant Works Innovation Award – Active Metal Recyclers
• Good Times in Brant Award (Tie) – St. George Apple Fest and The Arlington Hotel & River’s Edge
• Our Future Brant Sustainability Award – 1200 Degrees Ontario

Nominations for the 2026 awards opened to the public in February, providing community members with an opportunity to recognize outstanding local businesses. Recipients were selected by a committee of industry experts.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a County of Brant business,” said Mayor Bailey. “Recognizing and supporting the businesses in our community is an important way to celebrate the people behind them and the contributions they make to Brant every day.”

To view the 2026 award recipient videos and learn more about Salute to Brant, visit www.brant.ca/Salute.

To stay up to date on upcoming event details and announcements, follow Brant Economic Development on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to the bi-monthly newsletter at www.brant.ca/EcDevSubscribe.