WESTERN E-NEWS JULY 2021
Greetings from your CEO
It's hard to believe our summer has rolled around once again! I know I am certainly looking forward to vacation and some grandbaby snuggles! Premier King announced last Tuesday PEI will open up to Canadians from outside of Atlantic Canada who are vaccinated against Covid-19 and has a PEI Pass as of July 18. This is great news as we trudge along and look forward to greeting travelers, and connecting with family, and friends.

Many things are happening around the various communities in Prince Edward Island. One that I have enjoyed in the past is the DiverseCity Multicultural Festival that celebrates the diversity of cultures living on the Island and showcases food, music performance, dance, arts, and crafts. To learn more visit DiverseCity PEI Festival and check out the event dates happening near you! Alberton is scheduled for July 11 from 3-5 PM.

As more and more people move to Western PEI a Chamber of Commerce is a highly regarded organization that people value not only to navigate business opportunities but also to connect and build relationships with other people! Keeping that in mind, many of these people do not know anyone and are looking for ways to connect with others and find out what is going on in our communities.
I encourage you to reach out if an opportunity should arise and become more involved and get to know them. You can also make it a point to attend some chamber events coming up in the fall. We plan to have our breakfast mixers once again and will have a guest speaker at our AGM in November. Stay tuned for a fall lineup!
On behalf of the Chamber Board, we would like to thank our members for your continued support. Your membership allows us to keep you informed on the latest issues that matter to your small business.
Joining the West Prince Chamber is a small investment that will have a positive impact on the success of your business. Becoming involved in the Chamber can help you grow revenues, increase your business exposure, build new contacts, and potentially help connect you to potential new hires. Our board and staff have our ears to the ground and have your best interest in mind.
Have a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing many of you at our Golf Outing on September 17!
Oh, and don't forget to listen to our latest podcast on our website!

Cheers,
Tammy Rix
West Prince Chamber of Commerce
Jackson Platts; Learning Manager for the Small Business Program at Holland College West Prince Campus.
Building a Culture of Continuous Learning
A discussion with Jackson Platts about the one-year certificate Small Business Manager program. We find out the details of this online course and how it prepares students for the real world of business.
Listen Here:
Interested in being a Chamber Podcast Guest!
Would you like to share a success story? Maybe you want to advocate for change, persuade or influence. What about just simply sharing what works and what doesn’t work in the world of business today!  
You can contact anyone from our Labour Market Team today! To listen to our latest Chamber Podcasts visit www.westprincechamber.com and www.epeicc.ca
The Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) aims to help communities across Canada build and improve community infrastructure projects so they can rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a national investment of $500 million over two years, the Fund’s purpose is to support not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and other community groups, as well as Indigenous communities:
  • build new community infrastructure and revitalize existing assets
  • bring people back to public spaces safely as health measures ease
  • create jobs and stimulate local economies
Please find information on the CCRF which was just announced and will be administered by ACOA:
 
 
The Fund will provide support to:
  1. adapt community spaces and assets so that they may be used safely in accordance with local public-health guidelines
  2. build or improve community infrastructure to encourage Canadians to re-engage in and explore their communities and regions.
Please connect with ACOA directly regarding questions related to this fund.
Minister Bernadette Jordan announces Shop Local investment in Atlantic Chambers of Commerce
The funding will be provided through the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce to support awareness-building campaigns that promote consumer confidence and local businesses. The amount of funding allocated to each chamber is based primarily on the percentage of small businesses in its region.  Prince Edward Island will receive up to $550,000. This is great news to help support our small businesses.






Thank you for shopping local
Many of our local businesses have reported having the best year in 2020! Way to go West Prince community! The West Prince Chamber of Commerce thank you for supporting our small local businesses in PEI. Let's keep the money in our own economy!
#ShopLocal #LiveLocal #LoveLocal #SupportLocal

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

Green Gable Alpacas
Chamber member Janet Ogilvie has added some great new Alpaca experiences for you. Check out her website for more info!

Create your own hand-painted yarn
Join Janet in her NEW studio and learn the basics of how to hand-dye yarns and fibres. Create your own custom colour way or find inspiration from our herd of alpacas grazing just outside the door. 

Wanna become a Farmer? Check out her online workshops.
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22023 Canada Winter Games Feb18- Mar 5, 2023
We are seeking the enthusiasm and expertise of over 300 skilled leadership volunteers to help us successfully host the 2023 Canada Games. We are looking to fill various positions which will start in fall 2021 through to Games time. Applications are being accepted until June 30 - it only takes a couple of minutes to apply. Click here for more info and to apply. 
5th Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser
You're invited to tee off with the Chamber! Mark your calendars! Our 5th Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser at St. Felix Golf Course is Friday, Sept 17 at 1:00 PM.  We would love to have you take part as a hole or team sponsor. Thank you members for your continued support and contributions. Many local businesses look forward to a fun staff day getting to know others in our communities. I look forward to hearing from many of you soon.  
Thank you Credit Unions
Title Sponsor 2021!
Not a Golfer - but you wanna have fun!
Call us to Volunteer -
We would love to have you!
Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance
Concerned about rising group insurance premiums? Then you need a pooled program from the Chambers Plan. Rates are based on the average of claims from thousands of similar firms, keeping premiums manageable and predictable and providing stability year after year. The Chambers Plan is a not-for-profit program—all surpluses stay in the Plan and help lower premiums. Give your employees more for less. Health and Dental premiums are a deductible business expense and a TAX-FREE benefit for your employees. Get your free quote today!
Recently, the chamber mailed B2B Discount Cards to all of our members. If you have not received one please contact the Chamber office. All membership dues must be kept current and up-to-date in order to use and honor the program! Thank you to all of our participating business sponsors!
If you are interested in being a sponsor and want to offer fellow chamber members a discount, just give us a call and will make it happen!
When you are a participating sponsor of the program, you choose the terms of the offer which the chamber will provide – including your company name, logo and location to our:
·      Monthly e-newsletter
·      B2B Discount Webpage
·      If a B2B Sponsor attends a business at breakfast mixer they will have the opportunity to verbally promote their offer!
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