UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES |
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Your Chamber is hosting an information session on how your business can access a FREE SERVICE to transition to the Digital Economy. |
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Dec 3, 2020 10:00 AM
CLICK HERE to register in advance for this meeting
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We get it! Technology can be scary, navigating the digital space can be terrifying, and digital transformation doesn’t happen overnight. “Getting Digital” may be one of the only ways for businesses to survive during these times. Going “online” is about far more than creating a website; it’s about harnessing the power of technology to help your business succeed in new and more digital ways. Many businesses struggle with getting digital because they:
- Are intimidated with committing to something that they don’t know much about.
- Have no idea of the “possible” benefits.
- Don’t have a clear starting point.
Join Innovation Island’s Jennifer Hufnagel and Janet Bonaguro as they discuss the ‘Digital Economy Response Program‘ – DER3 which helps connect Small and Medium Businesses who want to enter or expand into the “Digital Economy”.
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Shop in Downtown Ladysmith and you could win $300 of LDBA Bucks (sponsored by the Ladysmith & District Credit Union) to be spent at participating Downtown Business for 5 weeks. Draw is every Friday. First Draw is November 18th.
Late night shopping every Friday on:
- November 20th
- November 27th
- December 4th
- December 11th
- December 18th
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Government introduces legislation for new, targeted support to help businesses through pandemic |
The government is taking targeted action to support Canadians and Canadian businesses, non-profits and charities that continue to face uncertainty and economic challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, introduced Bill C-9, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy), which would implement new, targeted support to help hard-hit businesses. These measures are designed to help businesses get through the second wave of the virus so they can protect jobs, continue to serve their communities, and be positioned for a strong recovery. As previously announced, the business supports include:
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, which would provide direct and easy-to-access rent and mortgage interest support to tenants and property owners until June 2021 for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19.
(Rate Structures Applicable in Periods 8, 9 and 10)
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CEBA requirements and deadlines have changed: |
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- As of October 26, 2020, eligible Canadian businesses that currently operating through a personal bank account will be able to apply for CEBA.
- All applicants now have until December 31, 2020, to apply for CEBA.
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*COMING SOON* CEBA support is being expanded from $40K to $60K. This expansion will be available to all eligible previous and new CEBA applicants. Stay tuned to the CEBA website for more details, including launch details in the coming weeks.
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Province Announces Small and Medium Business Recovery Grant program |
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Have you applied for the BC Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program?
How the program works: The Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program will invest up to $300 million in targeted financial support for some of the hardest hit businesses in B.C. that employ between two and 149 B.C. residents and have experienced declines in revenue since March 10, 2020.
Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available. An additional $5,000 to $10,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses that have been hit especially hard by COVID-19. The program runs until March 31, 2021 or until the funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first.
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Here's What You Told Us: BC Election Survey |
In the final week of the 2020 provincial election, we asked the BC MindReader community – what are the most important issues your business is facing this election? What areas demand government focus and attention?
Here's What You Told Us....
The majority of members (53%) say the cost of doing business was the biggest factor hurting business this election.
- Other top factors hurting business include skill of the labour pool available (30%), availability of workers (30%), and provincial business regulations (30%).
- The top issues for business in this election were:
- Healthcare, safety, and mental health (44%);
- Support for small business and reducing red tape (44%);
- Jobs and employment (44%);
- Housing affordability and availability (42%); and
- Environment and climate change (40%).
- 63% of businesses support a PST rebate on machinery and equipment.
- The most helpful tax measures to help businesses during recovery are reducing the PST (41%), and increasing the exemption threshold on the EHT (41%).
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BC Chamber Network Building Resilience to Thrive Program |
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This online training program, developed in partnership with UVIC’s Gustavson School of Business, will offer relief to businesses, helping to mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by teaching them how to adapt their business models, re-engage customers, and adjust workplace cultures.
The 6-week program will be offered to individuals at a minimal registration fee of $35.00 per participant for Chamber members and $70.00 per participant for non-members, to ensure cost isn’t a barrier during the pandemic. To continue to support the advancement and growth of SMEs in the province, registration revenue specific to each region will be attributed back to the regional Chamber for serving SMEs in BC.
The program will be offered on the following dates:
- ROUND ONE: In progress
- ROUND TWO: January 12th to February 16th
- ROUND THREE: February 24th to March 31st
We are all on this road to recovery together!
Program spaces will fill up quickly, so act fast to avoid disappointment.
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VIRL is hoping to partner with locally owned and operated retail businesses
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It doesn’t get more local than your library. With that in mind, Vancouver Island Regional Library is hoping to partner with locally owned and operated retail businesses in communities across our service area to Give Library this holiday season.
Give Library, you ask? It works like this:
- We’ll provide professionally produced point of sale cards stands loaded with holiday themed library cards for kids and adults.
- All we’re asking businesses to do is place them in high traffic areas (yup, at point of sale area is best) and encourage people to take them as stocking stuffers.
- In return, we’ll give participating businesses shout outs on our website and across our vast and vibrant social media sphere.
- We piloted this last holiday season by partnering with four retailers in Nanaimo and it was a resounding success. We moved 500 cards through the four businesses in less than a month!
What could be simpler?
Local businesses can feel good knowing they’re supporting literacy, connection, and community, and they’ll get some free advertising to boot from their library. Interested businesses should contact VIRL’s Sales and Marketing Officer, Jason Kuffler, at jkuffler@virl.bc.ca (me) to get involved. We have a limited number of library cards available, so act fast! Let’s all Give Library and celebrate local this holiday season.
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Cowichan Talks Tech ~ How to Thrive in a World Disrupted? |
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Technology is everywhere, it powers the modern economy; more or less, good or bad. We carry it in our pockets, we wear it, we drive it, and it’ll soon be driving us ~ even more. How did this happen so quickly? How far is it going to go? Is it slowing down or speeding up? What does this mean for a regional and rural economy? Are we empowering our youth to tackle what’s coming or training them properly for jobs that don’t yet exist? These are among the topics explored in the tech and entrepreneurial series being held on November 26 and 27.
Economic Development Cowichan (CVRD) has partnered with startup accelerator Innovation Island to host a two-day series that focuses on the technology sector, trends, and innovation opportunities in the region.
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Free Education Month at Small Business BC |
Small Business BC, alongside our partners WorkSafeBC, is pleased to announce November is FREE Education Month at SBBC.
This means you can attend over 25 webinars, and Talk to the Expert sessions during this month – for FREE. Whether you are looking to start, grow a business, or build resiliency during COVID-19, our educational calendar for the month is stacked with informative and practical sessions that will put your business on the road to success.
We want you to make the most of this offering, so we have laid on extra availability throughout the month. However, demand is expected to be extremely high and places are limited, so book today to avoid disappointment. If you do happen to miss out on the session of your choice, we will be opening a waitlist.
Please Note: We will be capping attendance at two Talk to an Expert sessions per person to ensure as many members of our community as possible can avail of this offer.
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WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS |
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Please join us in welcoming our NEW Ladysmith Chamber Members!
We encourage you to support these new members by patronizing their businesses and or visiting their website.
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PRIDE Home Improvements is an experienced, complete Home Improvements Contractor. We provide complete renovation services and new home construction from Duncan to Parksville on Vancouver Island, Canada.
or call (250) 245-2884
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CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS/UPDATES |
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We would love to hear from you if you have information that would be of interest to other members, a move, an award, etc. Send us an email and we will include it in our next enewsletter!
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If you would like to promote an event, a new product / service . . . Email the Chamber office or call 250-245-2112 to set up your own dedicated eBlast for $40
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Stay 2 nights in Cowichan
Get a $75 Visa Card for your adventure
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Tourism Vancouver Island and Tourism Cowichan have partnered to assist accommodation properties in increasing fall overnight stays.
When visitors book a 2-night stay with a participating hotel they receive a $75 VISA gift card to spend during their visit to Cowichan. Not only does this help create more multi-day stays in Cowichan, it will be easier for those guests to experience more of Cowichan -- like restaurants, wineries, cideries, breweries, our incredible downtown shops, and attractions!
When booking quote QUOTE 'GRATITUDE2020'.
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Cedar Yellow 32nd Annual Country Christmas Self Guided Tour |
Take the self guided Tour this November 18-22 and 25-29, 2020. Two weekends - Wednesday to Sunday.
They will be observing Covid protocols and require
that you wear a mask inside studios, wash your hands. if you are sick please stay home. Most studios are small, therefore numbers inside will be limited. Stay Safe…
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LRCA CHRISTMAS CHEER 2020 |
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Christmas Cheer is going to look a little different this year due to the Covid restrictions.
We will not be collecting groceries or toys and we will not be delivering hampers.
We will be collecting cash or cheques to purchase gift cards for the applicants. You can also donate online through our Website www.lrca.ca
Registration will take place from Nov. 10/20 To Dec. 3/20 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. At the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association, 630 Second Ave.
Gift cards will be available for pick up Dec. 8, 9, 10 from 10 am to 2 pm at the LRCA.
Anyone wishing to sponsor a family may do so. The registration process is the same as usual, with you providing the LRCA with the funds to bring cheer to a designated family.
All gift cards for groceries will be purchased from the 49th Parallel, Ladysmith and gift cards from Walmart for purchasing presents.
For further information contact Barb @ 250-245-3079
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LaFF's 12 Days of Holiday Cheer FUNdraiser |
Usually this time of year would mean that LaFF is busy preparing for its annual Breakfast with Santa FUNdraising event but alas with COVID such an event is not possible so our creative LaFF elves have come up with a safe and memorable way of both supporting the LaFF organization and celebrating the season with this year’s 12 Days of Holiday Cheer FUNdraiser. This, as was Breakfast with Santa, is LaFF’s major fundraiser of the year supporting all that LaFF does.
Come join in the fun by either –
- purchasing a Holiday Cheer Kit, beginning Nov 13th via Eventbrite (link to come)
- Sponsoring a particular Day of Cheer either fully or in part
- Sponsoring a Holiday Cheer Kit for a family who might not be able to purchase one themselves
- Donate what you can towards this holiday event or to the LaFF organization as a whole
- Spread the word of this important and memorable fundraiser
Below is a break down of the event and how you can support it.
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Ironworks Cafe & Creperie |
EXCITING NEWS!!!! Ladysmith Ironworks Cafe & Creperie will be returning TO BEING OPEN 7 days a week! AND They are expanding with a 4th location in NANAIMO!!!! Congratulations Dina and to your incredible team!
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Neck of the Woods General Store |
Check out Ladysmith's Neck of the Woods General Store new website for their NEW ONLINE SHOP!!! They have awesome local gift packages as well as other goodies; just in time for holiday gift giving! They will be adding more items as they go, so remember to visit often!
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Keep your Business information current in the Ladysmith-Open for Business Online Directory |
The Directory highlights local businesses that are open, have adjusted hours and any practices they are implementing to keep themselves and their customers safe.
Local Businesses can update their hours & services by clicking on the button below.
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We sincerely hope that you, your families, your employees, coworkers and all around you are safe and healthy in these extraordinary times. The Ladysmith Chamber has worked hard to monitor the many announcements related to federal, provincial and local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and make information pertinent to business readily available to you on our website, newsletters and Facebook posts. We have also tried our best to monitor how your businesses have adjusted to the current crisis to make this information available to the public through our Facebook page. (If you have not already Liked and Followed our Page, you may need to do so in order to tag us.)
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The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is proud to work closely with the BC Chamber and local area Chambers |
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33 Roberts Street, PO Box 598 Ladysmith,
BC V9G 1A4 Canada
250-245-2112
Hours: Monday - Friday 10am-4pm
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