Member News
September 7, 2021 I Issue 15
We're gearing up for fall and there's lots going on. Please continue scrolling this newsletter for more information on:


Proof of Vaccination Requirements
As of September 22, 2021, proof of full vaccination (two doses plus 14 days), along with photo ID (such as a driver's license or health card) will be required to access certain public settings and facilities in Ontario including:
 
  • Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, delivery and takeout);
  • Meeting and event spaces;
  • Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
  • Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas.


As of Oct. 22, the Ontario government is scheduled to roll out a new QR code-based application for residents and business operators to use in order for scans. Officials said new certificates similar to the current PDF ones will be issued. The new documents will contain a unique QR code that when scanned will display the holder’s current vaccination status (yes or no) and the person’s name.

We know this is an added step / responsibility for business owners in affected categories. We will continue to share any information that comes through with respect to implementing these programs.
Proposed Relocation of Main St. N. Post Office
Canada Post is proposing a new location of the Main St. Post Office to Hamilton St. N. The new location would be within 1.5 kilometres of the current location - but for many businesses with post office boxes in the core, this may mean a car ride or much longer walk to pick-up mail. At the same time, it could have a positive impact on parking and traffic congestion on Main Street.
If your business is served by the Main St. N. Post Office, are you...
In favour of the proposed relocation to Hamilton St. N.?
Opposed to the proposed relocation to Hamilton St. N.?
You can provide your feedback regarding the proposed relocation to:


or

RETAIL FEEDBACK
2701 Riverside Dr., Suite N1020
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0B1
HSR myRide On-Demand Transit Pilot Project
The Hamilton Transit Division (HSR) launched its on-demand transit pilot program in Waterdown today. Customers can now book trips by phone or using a new mobile app. TO learn more about the pilot project, visit hamilton.ca/hsrmyride.

Feedback or questions to the HSR Customer Care Representatives at (905) 528-4200.

Sept. 20 Federal Election

Cable14 Debates Tonight (Tuesday)
Flamborough-Glanbrook
Sept 7th, 7 PM

Flamborough-Glanbrook candidates include:
Dan Muys (Conservative)
Thomas Hatch (Green)
Vito Sgro (Liberal)
Lorne Newick (NDP)
Bill Panchyshyn (PPC). |

You can also watch live, online here: https://cable14now.com/live-streams/ 

The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) has developed a list of questions business owners may find helpful to pose to local candidates:

OBIAA believes that our current social issues have been created through ongoing downloading and ineffective spending. Our current crisis is not a Health Care Crisis, but a breakdown of our Public Health capacity. The Health Care sector already overloaded cannot provide the necessary support services, especially as less than 2% of the Health Care Budget is directed to mental health. A more cohesive Public Health Policy needs to be created that fixes the current gaps and addresses the issues in a proactive, rather than reactive cycle. 

Q. What would the candidate do to create a comprehensive Public Health system?

OBIAA believes that the current pandemic has created a crisis on Main Street, due to Public Health, and also due to the economic instability. Many of our main street businesses are now burdened with debt, rent increases, tax increases and a global swing towards online transactions.

Q. How will the candidate help small businesses, especially those on Main Streets, prosper by investing in broadband and digital technologies?
 
Q. As small business represents 98% of all businesses in Canada, how will your government make small business a priority?
 
Main street businesses are severely understaffed and challenged in hiring staff.

Q. What steps will the candidate take to address the employment gaps?
 
Digital Main Streets Grants

Digital Main Street (DMS) is a program in partnership with the federal and provincial government and administered by OBIAA. It is focused on providing qualifying brick-and-mortar businesses with a digital assessment, online training and a one-time $2,500 grant to implement a Digital Transformation Plan.

Thinking of setting up an online selling platform? Looking to improve your website or your social media presence? This grant program might be right for you.

Applications will continue to be accepted until October 31, 2021 (or until grant funds are exhausted).

Click here to learn more and sign up.

Fall Promotions - Join the Fun
Made by Hand For You Market
This Saturday, September 11, 10 - 6 PM
Franklin Street

See here for details.

A number of BIA businesses are joining in with special offers or promotions tied to the event. It's not too late to join.
Email adamneumann@waterdownbia.ca if you would like us to share how you will participate.
Summer Sounds
Friday, September 10, 12 - 9:30 PM
Saturday, September 11, 12 - 930 PM
Sunday, September 12, 11 AM - 4 PM

Six 'Sound Sounds' pyramids are landing in Waterdown Village this weekend to activate our streets. Look & Listen for these temporary art installations featuring art and music form local artists. Don't forget to encourage your clients to stroll the Village to discover all six. Details and map here.


5th Annual Scarecrow Walk
Oct. 9 to 31

A huge thanks to BIA members who've already signed up to participate in the Scarecrow Walk (see the current list of participating businesses below). We're getting close to beating last year's number of participants - but we're not there yet. Let's set a record - join the fun!

All you need to do is decorate a wooden scarecrow frame (we provide the frame and head).

Your business will be listed in the brochure mailed to all Waterdown-area postal codes and people will stroll past your business on the hunt for scarecrows.

Current List of 2021 Participants:
A Greener Place, Along the Road, Agam Beauty Spa & Salon, Bella and Coop, Brogden's Restaurant, Brown Financial Security, Burnside Insurance, CBY Music, Campbell & Co at Home, Carousel Kids, Chews Raw Pet Food, Copper Kettle Café, Creative Insight Pottery, Dairy Queen, Flamborough Travel Plus, Global Pet Foods, Great Canadian Dollar Store, Hairway' 2 Heaven, Harrington Lane Farms Village Shop, Harvey's & Swiss Chalet, House of Hair Images, Jitterbug Café, K. Cowan Law, Kinstruct Health, Lacy's Body Sugaring & Aesthetics, Lotus Counselling, M+M Products Quality Appliances, Magnolia House Spa Salon Boutique, Marciano's Pasta Café, Mend Therapy, Michelle My Belle Bridal, Mill St. & 5 - American House, Nail Haven Wax Bar, Open Book Tutoring Centre, Quality Foundations Daycare, Royal Coachman, Rustic Daisy's, Sense of Hearing, Shae Rose at Home, SleepNet, Smart Realty, Symposium Café, Tea at the White House, The Cooperators Insurance, The Fix, The Flower Market ,The Printing Korner, The Wine Shop,True Instincts Dog Trainin, Turkstra Lumber, Under Dog & Co, Village Theatre, Waterdown Dancers' Inc, Waterdown Dental, Waterdown Goldsmith, Waterdown Income Tax and Bookkeeping, Waterdown Music Academy, Waterdown Smiles, Waterdown Tea House, Waterdown Veterinary Animal Clinic, Waterdown Village Chiropractic and Wellness Group.

If we've missed you, or you haven't reached out but would like to join, please email spennie@watedownbia.ca asap.

Frames have landed in the BIA Office at 5 Mill St. S.!
If you indicated you need a frame, you can drop by and pick up Monday to Friday, business hours.

SHOP LATE EVENT -
POSTPONED UNTIL THE HOLIDAYS

We had quite a bit of interest in holding a Shop Late Event tied into this weekend's activities, but not enough to make it a go. Fall and back-to-school is always a busy time and we want to make sure we do it right. We'll look at an extended shopping night to kick-off the holiday shopping season when people have a little more time to plan ahead. Thanks for your consideration.
Waterdown Village Business Improvement Area