If you ever stepped inside the Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC) in late 1999, early 2000, you’d remember the energy of a growing organization brimming with paper files, in-person classes, and the hum of fax machines. Back then, EBRC’s home on South Edgeware Road represented progress; a purpose-built space that gave local entrepreneurs and community partners a place to connect, collaborate, and create opportunities for economic growth across St. Thomas and Elgin County.
For more than two decades, that building did exactly what it was meant to do. It was the beating heart of local business support. It hosted amazing training programs, community meetings, and countless one-on-one sessions where small business owners found guidance, funding, and encouragement. Many of these programs were grant-based, temporarily funded, or partially funded by community partners. So many of those initial business ideas are still in business today, fueling economic development and job creation.
But times, programs, and technology have changed.
The Evolution of Work and Space
When EBRC moved into 300 South Edgeware Road, office layouts mirrored the business culture of the time. Rows of private offices, computer monitors that took up half the desk, large meeting rooms, filing cabinets lining the walls; all necessary in an era when work was largely paper-based and all collaboration happened face-to-face. A larger footprint wasn’t just a luxury; it was a necessity.
Fast forward to today, and that picture has transformed entirely. EBRC, like the clients it serves, has evolved to meet a new reality. Paper files have given way to secure cloud storage. Bulky desktop computers have been replaced by slimline laptops and mobile workstations. The staff that once relied on filing rooms now work seamlessly across shared digital platforms; sometimes in the office, sometimes in the community, and often right alongside the entrepreneurs they serve.
“Our work is more agile and collaborative than ever before,” says Sarah Teichroeb, Executive Director of EBRC. “The tools we use have changed, but our mission hasn’t. We’re still here to help businesses grow, adapt, and succeed. Moving to the CASO Station is about aligning our physical space with the way we actually work today.”
A Historic Home for a Modern Mission
EBRC’s new home at the historic CASO Station in downtown St. Thomas marks both a homecoming and a new beginning. Located at 750 Talbot Street, the move places EBRC right in the heart of the city’s business core, close to clients, community partners, and the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem that continues to define St. Thomas and Elgin County’s economic future.
It’s a natural fit: a heritage building that once connected people and goods across Canada now houses an organization connecting entrepreneurs with the resources and relationships they need to thrive.
“Relocating to the CASO Station reflects our dedication to accessibility, collaboration, and innovation,” says Teichroeb. “It’s a space that feels connected to the community, not just geographically, but symbolically. We’re surrounded by other changemakers and right where local business activity is happening.”
Right-Sizing for the Future
Leaving behind a large building with large building needs isn’t just a logistical change, it’s a strategic one. Maintaining an oversized facility built for a pre-digital world required significant time, attention, and resources. By transitioning to a more efficient footprint, EBRC is freeing up capacity, both operationally and financially, to invest directly in programs, partnerships, and people that fulfill our mandate: “to support economic development in rural communities”.
“Entrepreneurs today are navigating new challenges: digital transformation, rapid population growth, workforce shifts, and evolving markets,” says Teichroeb. “We need to be as adaptive and responsive as the businesses we support. That means being mobile, efficient, and innovative, with the same passion and reputation, but not measuring ourselves by square footage.”
Building What’s Next: A New Strategic Plan
EBRC’s relocation isn’t just about changing addresses, it’s about charting a new direction. The organization’s next major project is developing a new strategic plan that reflects the changing landscape of business and community development in St. Thomas and Elgin County, our mandated region.
This new plan will take a holistic approach, drawing input from community partners, clients, staff, and the Board of Directors. It will define measurable goals, outline clear priorities, and strengthen accountability across all levels of the organization, for our governance-led Board to daily operations for staff.
“It’s time to reimagine what business support looks like in 2025 and beyond,” says Teichroeb. “We’re listening to the community, learning from our clients, and ensuring our strategy aligns with what entrepreneurs actually need today.”
Rooted in the Past, Focused on the Future
In many ways, EBRC’s journey mirrors exactly that of the entrepreneurs it serves. Growth requires vision, flexibility, and courage to embrace bold change. The move to CASO Station symbolizes more than a change of address, it’s a conscious choice to evolve with the times while staying true to the organization’s roots and core mandate.
The legacy of the South Edgeware Road location lives on in the thousands of entrepreneurs who walked through its doors, the programs that sparked new ventures, and the partnerships that strengthened the community. But today, EBRC is writing a new chapter, one that’s lighter, faster, and more connected than ever before.
As St. Thomas and Elgin County continue to grow and diversify, EBRC stands ready, in a new space, with a renewed vision to support the next generation of dreamers, doers, and difference-makers.
After all, buildings may change, but purpose endures.