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Fuelling Our Business Community
We were pleased to be in attendance at Action Land & Environmental Services Ltd. Grand Re-opening last week. These events are an inspiration to both our business community and the public. They allow us all to see a spark of hope during a challenging economic time. Congratulations!
On October 7th, a number of Economic Development Practitioners from across southeast Alberta met to discuss current projects and activities such as Alberta's Recovery Plan, the Investment and Growth Strategy, navigating government investment and expansion opportunities, the Local Food Directory and various grants and programs available to our business community.

Verge Economic Development provided a Southeast Alberta Agri-Food Asset Map at the meeting. This map has been created to provide a snapshot of the farmers that produce their products, the companies that handle the logistics and movement of these products, and those producers that take that unique product and turn it into something new.
We took a bit of a break during the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM and Policy Convention to take a picture for the virtual photo booth.

Over the two days 60 policies debated, 47 were passed for inclusion in the Chamber’s policy book with one policy referred to the board, one being merged and eleven that were defeated.

Find out more in our press release.
Quick Check Up
The Power of Community
Community Builder Spotlight:
Sedona North
Sedona North is dedicated to the health of individuals living in our region and recently had a great conversation with us about all the ways that they can help their clients reach their nutrition and health goals. They are equally dedicated to the health of our business community and have shown that by becoming a Community Builder member! We look forward to collaborating with them and finding ways to focus on positivity in our lives, our health and our greater community.
Small Business Week
Small Business Week is officially only once a year but we know how important small businesses are to our community every day. Community Futures Entre-Corp created some videos that stress how essential small businesses are to our community. Thank you!
Your Weekly Tune Up
As first announced by Prime Minister Trudeau at our AGM & Convention on Monday, businesses that use personal bank accounts to operate may now apply for a CEBA loan. Contact your primary financial institution to apply. More information.

Alberta’s government is supporting suicide prevention and mental health programs in Medicine Hat. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Alberta Southeast Division is receiving more than $220,000 from the Alberta government to support timely access to quality suicide prevention information, awareness and training programs. More information.

Effective Nov. 2, Alberta is removing runny nose and sore throat from the list of core symptoms requiring mandatory isolation for those under the age of 18. This includes the daily checklist used for school and child care settings. This change is only for those with no known exposure. If a child is a close contact or known to have been exposed in the previous 14 days and develops symptoms, testing is recommended and the child would still need to isolate. Find more information in the Situation Update.

The government of Canada has begun consultations with provinces and territories, employers, workers, worker support groups, and other interested parties on a proposal to establish minimum requirements for employer-provided accommodations for the TFW Program across Canada. More information.

Want to know what else happened that you need to know?
Next Level Events
2020 Result Accelerator Excellence Summit - Free until November 6th! Spend a day connecting, networking, idea sharing, and collaborating with some of the best minds in the industry. Register now.
Join Best Western Premier & Executive Residency as they celebrate the opening of their new hotel on November 5th! Find out more information and make sure to let us know you're going on our Facebook Event page.
Leadership Lunch-In
Order lunch in from one of our amazing restaurants and then join us for a conversation with leaders from our region on November 12th.


Advocacy in Action
The economic numbers that were released last week demonstrated that Canada is facing a prolonged K-shaped recovery. Our economy did not contract as much as expected during the first wave of COVID-19 but, with the second wave in full effect, our economic recovery will take much longer than initially anticipated, particularly for the hardest hit sectors. Read more. 
Anecdotally, everyone who lives in Medicine Hat understands the benefits of living in a mid-sized city. Our commute times are non-existent, our housing costs are lower, our park space per capita is unmatched, we have social and recreational facilities that large cities dream about.

All of this may be eclipsed in importance though, by someone discovering that we have had less than 25 percent of Alberta average COVID cases per 100,000 population. 

Fill up on Funding
Recognizing that small businesses are facing adversity during COVID-19 and that many are facing significant challenges and struggling to keep their doors open, this week, Canada Life announced its Business Boost program to provide small businesses with financial support that could help make all the difference. Twelve grants of $10,000 will be awarded. Get your application in by November 12.
Alberta Central, alongside member credit unions, knows the value of small businesses. That’s why they created the Big Future Innovation Grant. Two Alberta based businesses will receive $20,000 each. The first 100 applications received will be accepted and reviewed by a judging panel.
Make sure to check eligibility and get your application in by December 9.
Enriching Your Business
It's November! That holiday season is getting close and closer. Make sure you're set by having a #LocalFirstYXH decal in your store window!

And there's still time to take advantage of our Christmas Coupon campaign!

Find out more about these opportunities by emailing Chantel.
Deals
Every month we publish a Chamber News page in the Medicine Hat News.

It's a quick snapshot of important information, news and chamber happenings that only takes a few minutes to read.

Sales and Buy & Sell XChange
Helpful Webinars
Learn More About the 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers 

November 4
2020 Job Connector Virtual Event: How to Get Hired!

November 5
Innovation Forum 2.0: Medicine Hat-made innovative ideas

November 5
See our events calendar for more opportunities to connect.
Sparking Conversation
Would you recommend your municipality as a good place to invest and start a business?
Yes
No
Feel free to provide more comment about your answer above at policy@medicinehatchamber.com.
Last week's poll results:
Given municipal budget pressures, would you prefer to see:
a property tax increase?: 0% reduction of expenditures?: 100%
Useful Links
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