Fuelling Our Business Community
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APEX Alberta, Community Futures Entre-Corp, Invest Medicine Hat, and the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce are taking the local shopping experience online with a multi-vendor marketplace called Shop YXH, which launched on December 7th, just in time for Christmas. More information.
The City of Medicine Hat 2021 Budget Update presented on December 7th reflects the City’s enhanced Accelerated Financially Fit Initiative, which aims to address a $23M gap created by the loss of oil and gas dividend revenues from City-owned assets. Unlike other levels of government, municipalities are unable to plan deficit budgets.
Summary of 2021 Budget Update
- 0% property tax increase in 2020 and 2021.
- Significant net cost reduction of $14.8M (11%) with a thoughtful, measured approach.
- Reduced reliance on financial reserve of $1.2M from the initial 2019-2022 budget. The City will need to find further solutions to eliminate continued reliance on financial reserves in the future.
- Service enhancements in some areas, with minimal adverse adjustments to service in some others.
Stronger, mandatory restrictions are in effect across the province and will remain in place until at least January 12, 2021. There are no indoor or outdoor social gatherings and masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces and workplaces across the provinces. Effective Sunday, December 13, 2020. Read more.
Counterfeiters typically see the holidays as a prime opportunity to pass fake notes. The Bank's advice: don't let them.
Remember: Routinely checking all banknotes allows you to intercept counterfeits, keeping them out of the till and out of Canadians' change. Always look at two or more security features when checking banknotes. See the tips for checking security features.
Skip has been working alongside the Government of Alberta on how to best support their partners, and are proud to extend a support package that includes:
- A 25% rebate on commission for local, independent restaurant partners
- 0% commission rate for any new restaurants joining the network during the restriction period
- A 10.5% commission rate to any restaurant partner looking to utilize their own staff to facilitate delivery while leveraging Skip's technology and customer base
- The continuation of Skip's restaurant tipping initiative, which has seen over $1.2 million in generous donations from customers go directly to local restaurants
- App functionality that allows partners to diversify their menu offerings, increasing orders and revenue
- Additional marketing and order-driving initiatives that can both increase repeat orders and attract new customers
This support package will begin on Sunday, December 13 when provincial restrictions take effect. More information.
Want to know what else happened that you need to know?
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From downtown to the Medicine Hat Mall, COVID-19 has upended Medicine Hat’s retail sector.
While the national lockdown in March sent shockwaves through the industry, more recently mandated restrictions served to further accelerate pre-existing trends – local food, authentic experiences, online shopping – that were long in the making.
Through it all, Medicine Hat's retailers have taken decisive action to limit the spread and keep on selling. Read more.
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Designed to put good, hearty meals in the hands of people who need them most and support our local restaurants! Restaurant owners and sponsors are needed to keep the momentum going.
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Community taking care of community, that is ‘YXH United’.
We are united in our support of one another, in support of our small business community, and most importantly in support of those who are in need.
COVID-19 does not discriminate and has had devastating effects on many individuals and businesses. We ask that you join us in standing together, united as a community in taking care of our neighbours, friends, our vulnerable, and our community. United, our community will overcome and thrive, together we will not be defeated by the impacts of coronavirus.
#YXHunited
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With or without an existing website, a local business may use the marketplace to sell online. Shop YXH is an aggregated site that makes it easy to find, discover and buy local, and gives businesses a competitive advantage online.
Within a few clicks, a small business can be up and selling on the Shop YXH marketplace. With no fees, powerful tools, support, and education, Shop YXH will help small businesses start, manage, and sell their products and services. Read more.
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Workshops for your Business
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On December 10th the Chambers responded to New Restrictions and the Need for Support during this very difficult time. Read the full news release.
In addition, the Chamber posted a Facebook Live on Friday, December 11th to provide an overview of changes, restrictions and supports available to help businesses during this very challenging time. Watch the full video. This video also includes an overview of the Telephone town halls that happened last week for various industry groups. We hope recordings or a summary of the town halls will be made available in the coming days.
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To assist small and mid-sized businesses continue to survive this ongoing health crisis, the province is expanding and increasing the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant. The government is lowering the revenue loss threshold to 30% (from the original 50%), and all eligible businesses in the province will also be able to apply for a second grant payment. In addition to the first grant of up to $5,000, business can apply starting this week for an additional grant of up to $15,000 in potential funding. More information.
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Depending on your revenue, you may be eligible for a subsidy of up to 75% of employee wages retroactive from March 15, 2020 to June 2021, details for claim periods beginning after December 19, 2020 still to be confirmed.
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Businesses, non-profit organizations, or charities, whether a tenant or property owner, with lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for a direct subsidy to up to 65% of their commercial rent or property expenses from September 27, 2020 until June 2021. More information.
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Available through financial institutions and provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000, increased from the previous $40,000. Repaying the balance of the loan on or before December 31, 2022 will result in loan forgiveness of 33 percent (up to $20,000) to help small businesses and not-for-profits with their operating costs. More information.
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Payworks, one of Canada’s leading payroll platforms, is offering a discount on its workforce management bundle exclusively for Chambers Plan members. Read more information.
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Chambers and their members can purchase AEDs from Tenby Medical and receive a $200.00 discount and free shipping on each AED purchased
Use promo code ABChamberAED at checkout
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Let's Make This a Local First Holiday Season!
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Show some local love during this holiday shopping season by participating in #localfirstyxh Christmas! Our community has everything you need to prepare for the holiday season with:
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Although the holidays may look different this year, a little planning will help ensure you and your family have everything you need to celebrate the holiday season. To help support retailers and remind Canadians to plan ahead this year to ensure they have everything they need to celebrate the holidays safely, the Retail Council of Canada, in collaboration with Cineplex and Interac have launched the Shop Early, Shop Safe campaign.
#ShopEarlyShopSafe
#RetailMatters
#LocalFirstYXH
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With COVID shutting down the Christmas Markets, Chantel Fischer, our Membership Coordinator, has converted the Buy and Sell Xchange on the Chamber's website to a Christmas Buy and Sell Xchange where vendors can sell their Christmas Stock.
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Welcome to our New Members
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Would a webinar on the various supports (CEBA, CERS, etc.) be of interest to you?
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Don't have time right now, but maybe in the new year.
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Last week's poll results:
Have you shopped local for your Christmas gifts?:
Yes: 71.4% No: 0% Haven't started Christmas shopping yet: 28.6%
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Find more updates on our social media
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