In this issue...

From the CEO's Desk | Welcome New Members!

Upcoming Chamber Events | Updates from the Chamber Network

Good morning,

Thank you to all of our attendees at the Wine, Women, and Shopping event presented by BMO last week. We had a record number of vendors and attendees to spend the evening shopping with local vendors and to hear a keynote fireside chat with Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels.

It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Jay Hitchon of Waterous Holden (Obituary). Jay was a tremendous asset to the business community, his firm, and most importantly to his family. His warm demeanour and work ethic to improve the environment for business in Brantford-Brant will be missed.

As a node to Jay, I would like to highlight Chamber member Heron Head Bikes “Weekly Ride Brantford” challenge. It is simple, post a photo of you on your bike 1x/week for eight weeks for a chance to win a bike and other great prizes! A great way to stay active and challenge yourself as the days get shorter and colder.

A reminder that our post-secondary partners have a number of student placement opportunities in business, from as short as special projects at no cost to the business, to as long as eight months, subsidized co-op terms. The Chamber can assist you in navigating the variety of options and programs available, and note specifically that Laurier Brantford has a number of community-based Service Learning students in Health Studies and Social and Environmental Justice ready to launch for the January – April term. Contact the Chamber for more information.

Finally, the Chamber office underwent a Radon study in 2020 and had minimal (safe) levels. Has your business location(s) been checked? See below for more information.

Looking forward to seeing you on Dec 13^th at the Rope Factory Event Hall!

Dave

To learn more about their businesses,

click on their logo!

Send a message to Queen’s Park!

The Chamber of Commerce Brantford - Brant and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) are looking for your insights on issues that matter to your businesses. How confident are you in Ontario’s economy and your organization’s outlook? What should governments prioritize to drive economic growth?

https://www.research.net/r/ChamberSurvey_2022?Chamber=%5bBrantford-Brant%5d

 This survey is being conducted by Golfdale Consulting, an independent consulting firm. All responses will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential. 

Your participation in our annual Business Confidence Survey is as important as ever. The results of the survey will inform the 2023 Ontario Economic Report: the landmark research platform of the OCC, offering a unique perspective on the experience of businesses of all sizes across the province.

Share your views by taking a short five-minute survey here: 

https://www.research.net/r/ChamberSurvey_2022?Chamber=%5bBrantford-Brant%5d

Extended Deadline: Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at midnight.

Take the survey and let the government know what is important to you! 

Take the Quality of Work Survey!

Radon Survey of Workplaces in Ontario

Are you interested in learning the radon levels in your workplace? The Occupational Cancer Research Centre is looking for Brantford workplaces located in the basement and/or main floor to participate in our study! Radon is an invisible and odourless gas that is naturally created when uranium breaks down in the soil. It can enter buildings through cracks and potentially build up to high levels indoors. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. The only way to know if a high level of radon is present in a building is by testing.

Learn more about our study: https://bit.ly/radonstudy



If you have any questions, please contact: lily.yang@ontariohealth.ca

A Message from Stan at Heron Head Bikes!

Hello, Stan here from Heron Head Bikes on Morrell Street.

You may already know that studies have shown that at least 50% of the trips we take in a vehicle are less than 5km*.

With that in mind, our “My Weekly Ride Brantford” challenge is simple. 

For eight consecutive weeks before the end of January, switch your vehicle for your bicycle on at least one trip you normally drive each week.

Post a photo of you with your bike to the “My Weekly Ride Brantford” group page (you’ll see Kermit in the profile pic), not while riding, but along your route, there and back, not the same spot. Bonus point for using bike lanes and/or bike routes.

Each complete trip post makes you eligible for weekly bike stuff and at the end, well of course, we're giving away a bike!

Challenge runs for any eight consecutive weeks starting now and ending 31 January 2023. The last week possible to start, is December 6, 2022.

The next 8-week challenge starts on March 1, 2023.

Happy trails!

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.