In this issue...

From the CEO's Desk | Welcome New Members!

Upcoming Chamber Events | Updates from the Chamber Network

The Chamber continues to be busy planning for an active 2023, and meeting with a number of local politicians, agencies, and businesses in advance of the holiday season. We are excited to welcome a number of new members to the Chamber over the past few weeks, please look for their profiles on our social media channels and in future issues of our InTouch magazine.

Look forward to seeing you next week at our Annual Open House at the Rope Factory Event Hall, Tuesday, December 13^th from 5:00-8:00 pm. Donations of food or cash to the Brantford Food Bank will be accepted, and Shaun Mulrain will be our entertainment.

See you soon!

Dave

To learn more about their businesses,

click on their logo!

Take the Quality of Work Survey!

An exclusive offer for your

business and employees

Meridian has partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to help you grow your business with exclusive banking offers and fantastic perks for your employees.

Transfer your day-to-day business banking to Meridian to take advantage of this great offer.

$200 welcome bonus

Redeem on a range of our great products and services.

No-fee daily banking

No monthly service fee on your business chequing account for one year.

30% off service fees

After the first year, save 30% on service fees for your business chequing account for as long as you’re a Chamber member.

For more information on this exclusive offer, click here.

City seeks public input to inform

2023 City Budget Process

BRANTFORD, ON: In January 2023, the City’s Estimates Committee (made up of all members of City Council) will consider difficult decisions about City services, programs and infrastructure as they deliberate the 2023 City budget. Given municipal budget decisions have a profound impact on the daily lives of Brantford residents, the City wants to hear from residents about what they think the City's 2023 budget priorities should be and what programs and services are most important to them.

To help inform the City’s 2023 budget development process, the City is pleased to offer input opportunities for residents to have their say about the 2023 City budget at LetsTalkBrantford.ca/2023CityBudget.

Telephone Survey

In an ongoing effort to improve the statistical validity of public feedback, the City has again engaged the Laurier Brantford Research department and their partner, the Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research (CHASR) based in Saskatchewan, to execute a more diverse and inclusive surveying process. Employing the process of simple random sampling (SRS) is a methodology whereby every resident has an equal chance at being included in the research sample. Conducting telephone surveys involves direct and real-time contact between interviewers and participants, effective screening to ensure participants are residents of Brantford, direct clarification on questions as needed, and improved interpretation of responses.

Ways to get involved

• Learn about how the City Budget Works at LetsTalkBrantford.ca/2023CityBudget
• Attend Estimates Committee Meetings in person at Brantford City Hall
• Watch Estimates Committee Meetings streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel
• Speak to the Estimates Committee
• Complete the 2023 City Budget Priorities Survey
• Agree to take the telephone survey if contacted

Meetings of the Estimates Committee will commence on January 11, 2023. A schedule of meeting dates, times and agenda packages can be accessed prior to the meetings on the City’s website at brantford.ca/CouncilCalendar.

Grow Your Business Online 



The Government of Canada and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce offer micro-grants to small businesses wanting to grow their business online. 

The Grow Your Business Online grant provides eligible small business owners up to $2,400 to get their business online and boost their e-commerce presence.

Recent program update: To qualify, eligible applicants must have at least one employee (other than the owner) OR have had at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year. 

E-commerce advisors are available to help organizations complete their applications, identify digital needs, provide links to resources, and answer questions.  

To learn more about the program and to apply now, please visit: https://occ.ca/growyourbusinessonline/.

If you have any questions, please contact cdap@occ.ca.