WEEKLY NEWS - SEPTEMBER 2016
September 13, 2016   


Nomination Opportunities
If you would like to nominate a business(es) in more than one category ...this option is now available. Please click here for your  opportunity to do so!
Upcoming Events

Sept 15, 22
 Grove Cruise Nights - 6:30- 8:30pm
Car, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts are welcomed to come out and display their pride and joy in downtown Columbus Park. 

Sept 17
Spruce Grove & District Agricultural Society is celebrating their annual Harvest Fair (1-4pm)
Sept 22
 Chamber on Tap
4:30 - 8pm
Join us for our monthly business mixer and informal chat on the last Thursday of the month. We are thrilled to announce our guest, Jordan Jolicoeur who is part of the local family owned and operated Carvel Electric! He will be interviewed in a very casual and conversational format by 88.1 The ONE's morning host James "Gruff" Gushnowski.

Sept 28
11:45am - 1:15pm 
Presented by Vicky Webb/Erin Briner of Ask Inc. and Sunquest Accounting Solutions will share their wealth of information on how to protect your company from fraud.  It can happen even to you, and the risks are higher during an economic recession.

Oct 5
 11:45am - 1:15pm
Our presenter, Vicky Webb who owns and operates Ask Inc. and Sunquest Accounting Solutions will share her wealth of information on making YOUR Year End a Breeze!

Chamber Clarifies Statement on Increased Assessments on Non-Residential Properties in the City of Spruce Grove

An article in last week's newsletter suggested that all non-residential properties in the city received increases in assessments reflecting 20% - 65%, when the article should have reflected that NOT ALL, but, SOME non-residential properties received increases in their 2016 property tax assessment of 20% - 65%.  The economic development department of the city suggested the increases likely affected approximately 25% of the non-residential assessments.  Past President Charlene Bell reflected on the increases and asked city council for further discussion on how the city and the city's assessors arrive at assessment values so that the board of directors and the Municipal Affairs Committee are better informed in discussions with our business members.

 
Spruce Grove Chamber of Commerce Luncheon


September 13 at The Links
11:30 am  -  1:30 pm
Please confirm your attendance as seating is limited.

Feature Presentation: The Community App is Launching!

Advocacy Updates:  What Your Chamber is working on for business.

New Member Introduction: Join us in welcoming new business members to the Tri Area

Build your Network:  Enjoy an exercise in a fun round of "speed networking" People do business with people they know...come on out and meet members of your chamber and your business community  Click Here to Register

Doors Open:  11:30am
Buffet Served:  Noon
Member:  $30
Non-Member:  $40
NEWS WE ARE FOLLOWING
 Power Purchase Arrangements:
 a deal that could cost taxpayers $2 billion
POWER
Sep 6, 2016
  
Residential and commercial electricity users could   be on
 the hook for losses -  by Michael Ganley, Alberta Venture 

In a turn of events predicted by precisely nobody, "power purchase arrangements" have hit the headlines. In July, the provincial government launched a lawsuit to have a phrase in PPAs declared void, upsetting the electricity generators and distributors in the province, and the opposition parties. Read more
City Council Considers Chambers Position and Recommendation at Public Hearing
Board of Directors of the Chamber remitted a letter of concern on proposed changes to a bylaw that would provide city compliance officers and peace officers the ability to issue violation tickets. A public hearing was held in council chambers Monday, September 12th.  The chamber spokesperson, CEO Brenda Johnson spoke on behalf of the board of directors, indicating support for the city to have the ability to enforce provisions in the bylaw, however, raised the recommendations voiced by members of the chamber.  There is no provision in the current Bylaw C-973-16 Land Use Bylaw Text Amendment to provide an order to remedy or time to remedy when notified of an offense. The goal of the cities planning department is voluntary compliance and to work with business, however the Municipal Affairs Committee of the chamber wants clarity written into the bylaw.  Council did give the bylaw 2nd reading and further advised their city administration to correspond with the chamber and provide recommended amendments prior to council reviewing the bylaw for 3rd and final reading. 
 
Is there a business in Spruce Grove that deserves recognition? Every year the Spruce Grove Chamber of Commerce hosts an Awards Gala and we asking citizens of our community to name a business in Spruce Grove that they believe delivers outstanding customer service, provides a product or service the community needs and wants and actively participates in the support of community events either through volunteer staff support or contributions to the event. On September 26 the votes will be tabulated and the top 3 - 5 businesses receiving the most votes will be listed for you to choose your favorite in a second round. This is truly the 
"People's Choice" Award! 
Sponsored by RE/MAX Spruce Grove
Thank You Gala  Sponsors
Title Sponsors 
Award Sponsors


 
BOOK YOUR
SPOT  TO DAY
EARLYBIRD DEADLINE 
SEPT 30/16

It's a great time to commit to our  Chamber o f Commerce Directory  (which covers printed and digital listings)   and take advantage of  a  FREE  ($250 value) upgrade  to the enhanced listing on our w ebsite.  You'll enjoy premium placement when your business is at the top of category searches with logo recognition and a business description.

Through your  Enhanced Business Directory listin g , you receive:
  • 1600 Character Web Description
  • 200 Character Search Results Summary
  • 100 Character hours of operation
  • 200 Character driving directions
  • 5 Additional Bulleted Description
  • 20 key words
  • Search Results Icon
  • Logo on Member Page
  • Photo Gallery
  • You Tube Video Uploads
  • Map
  Call Dianne at 780-962-2561 or email  Dianne  for more information.  

E-MARKETING MINUTE

Spruce Grove Community App



The face of our Community Directory is changing! FOLLOW US IN THE JOURNEY and see how we are able to connect directly with your customers from multiple directions. As we transition from printed to on-line, it has never been more important than now to advertise with your local Chamber.

Factually, 30% of our trade area consumers continue to rely on our printed directory to find you.

The fact that thousands of consumers connect with our website to find members demonstrates the commitment our community has to shop local.

People on our website have already made an important decision; they are looking for a business right here in our area.

A growing demographic wants to find what they need in an instant. They want a community app.
 
They want:
 
An app that connects consumers and visitors to business in our community
  •  An app that gives consumers and businesses of our area valuable information about our Tri Area.
  • An app that delivers job post alerts in our community
  • An app that connects people to events in our community
  • An app that delivers news relevant to our community
The community App will provide what they want and it will be launching  THIS fall!  We hope you won't miss this exciting opportunity. 
 
With a business card sized black and white ad in the directory, you'll also be in the online directory and have an enhanced web presence ($260.00 value) to be noticed in our community app.  Pricing starts at $315 for the year. 
GET NOTICED.  SAVE MONEY.

EARLYBIRD DEADLINE    SEPT 30/16

Email Dianne for more information  today to secure your presence in our Community App!

Della Saunders,  Marketing Coordinator
Spr uce Grove Chamber of Commerce 
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