Volume 2 Issue 2 | February 4th 2021 |
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A Roundup of Chamber News & Resources
We're Here to Support As Your Indispensable Partner In Business!
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Winner of the Leading Advocates For Local Business Development
2020 Canadian Business Award
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Greetings!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our annual Know Your Resources & Membership Benefits Open House last week. We appreciate the line-up of speakers who shared opportunities, relief programs and assistance that is available to support local business during these tumultuous times. The replay is now available, see below.
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In today's newsletter, keep scrolling for more information about the many opportunities, events, relief programs, learning initiatives and more that are available as a support to you and your business.
Events, learning initiatives and opportunities:
- Celebrate at our upcoming fun and interactive Women In Business Awards & Mixology Cocktail Party! Nominations are now open!! Please submit your nomination(s) online using our digital form: wasagachamber.ca/nominate;
- Join us at our upcoming Business After 5 events! In February we encourage you to wear your workout clothes and in March we're going to help you keep more money in your pocket with up-to-date tax advice.
- See the Chamber's full list of events in 2021 and new member welcomes below;
- Dragon's Den is now holding virtual auditions for their upcoming season;
- Canada's Trade Accelerator Program is offering a women-led cohort to accelerate the growth of export business into international markets;
- Apply for the Safe Travels Stamp--an international symbol designed to allow travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world that have adopted health and hygiene as standardized protocols.
- There is still time to register for the no-cost course Growth Through People; and
- Current provincial stay-at-home order remains in effect until February 9th;
Relief programs, grants and emergency funding:
- Apply for the Ontario small business grant, PPE support as well as property tax and energy bill relief;
- The Ontario Trillium Fund is providing $100 Million over the next two years to support not for profits, tourism as well as sports and cultural institutions;
- Emergency government funding of $25 Million is being invested to support core cultural institutions and artists;
- Government sponsored website with regional listings of relief programs - Relief Within Reach; and
- Town of Wasaga Beach support with financial relief options during COVID-19;
Thank you again for your commitment and partnership. Our organization is strong because of you. Together, we will continue to tackle this challenge (and whatever the future may bring), ensuring that Wasaga Beach will not only get through this, but will thrive in spite of it!
Sincerely,
Your Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce
P.S. By now members should have received your membership letter and renewal notice by post. If you haven't, email us at office@wasagachamber.com.
P.P.S. Contact office@wasagachamber.com to get involved through sponsorships, prizes, volunteering, promotional opportunities and more.
P.P.P.S. Register for your FREE Digital Marketplace account and set up your business listing on Wasaga Beach's Community Information & Business Web Portal. Click here to set up your listing now.
How Can We Help?
The Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce is the support and voice for local business. Email us at office@wasagachamber.com to let us know how we can help. NOTE: The best way to reach us is by email at office@wasagachamber.com. You can also call 705-429-2247 and leave a message. |
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Getting To Know Your Resources & Membership Benefits
Watch The Replay!
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Discover the variety of programs, offers, and opportunities that are currently available to you and your business courtesy of our benefit partners, municipal offices, and affiliated government organizations. Click here to view the line-up of speakers who presented up-to-date news, resources and information about the support systems you can benefit from now. |
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Women in Business Awards
Monday, March 8th | Virtual Event
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Upcoming Business After 5 Events |
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Chamber Calendar of Events 2021 |
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- January 28: Business After 5 - Know Your Resources & Benefits Chamber Open House
- February 25 : Business After 5 - Crossfit Mozomo Athletics
- March 8: Celebrating Women In Business Awards
- March (Mid to Late March): Community Guide Delivered to Chamber & Distributed Via Canada Post
- March 25: Business After 5 - Wasaga Tax & Accounting
- April: Chamberlicious Spring Campaign
- April 29: Business After 5 - ENJO
- May 27: Business After 5 - Rustuk Ink
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- June 10: Business Expo & Annual General Meeting
- July 29: Business After 5 - Ontario Insurance Network & MMEA
- August 26: Business After 5 - Nature's Cleaning Team
- September 16: Business Awards & Recognition Ceremony
- September 30: Business After 5 - De Palma & Associate Legal Services
- October 21: Small Business Week - Mayor Salute & Chamber Mix N Mingle
- November 25: Business After 5 - Holiday Social + Toy, Coat and Food Drive
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NOTE: Event listings are subject to change and will be held virtually until further notice. |
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KYLE YOUNG
Nutrition & Wellness Services
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SUNSET GRILL
Breakfast Restaurant
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GEORGIAN BAY RESTORATION
Residential & Commercial Services
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CROSSFIT MZMO ATHLETICS
Fitness, Nutrition & Personal Training
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Dragon's Den Virtual Auditions |
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On behalf of CBC’s hit television show DRAGONS’ DEN, we wanted to let you know the show’s producers will be holding virtual auditions looking for the next big ‘thing’ in business.
DRAGONS’ DEN gives aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of wealthy Canadian business moguls - the Dragons. Successful pitchers will have a chance to earn real investment - from the Dragons’ own pockets!
This is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to apply and pitch their business concept for the chance to appear on national television. We would love to see as many people apply as we possible!
To apply, click here. For more information on how to prepare for auditions reference our Cheat Sheet, click here.
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Canada's Trade Accelerator Program |
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Exporting can be daunting, costly, and time consuming, leaving many business owners limited in terms of how much they can grow.
The Trade Accelerator Program is an award-winning, innovative program, designed to accelerate the strategic development of your business for expansion into international markets. This specific cohort will be delivered virtually over 5 weekly half-day sessions, concluding with a mentoring session.
JOIN THE WOMEN-LED COHORT
Date: Monday, March 8, 2021
Location: TAP Online Platform via Sandbox Centre
Fee: $495 per Company (includes attendance of two executives)
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Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)
Safe Travels Stamp
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TIAO has been chosen by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to administer the Safe Travels Stamp in Canada. The Safe Travels Stamp is an international symbol designed to allow travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world, which have adopted health and hygiene standardized protocols. Prepare for the future of tourism and travel.
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Growth Through People No Cost Course
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Delivered over three weeks, this free course combines expert-led sessions, small-group workshops, and one-on-one mentoring designed to help you kick-start new initiatives, optimize existing processes and fuel people-led growth.
For more information, including how to register, click here.
Program highlights
- Expert-led sessions with world-class people operations experts: Sessions include speakers who have architected and led people operations at companies like ecobee, Eventbrite, Google, OMERS, EY, TalentMap, Twitter, Yelp and more.
- Small-group workshops: Workshops enable you to tailor solutions to your specific context with the guidance of an experienced people-operations mentor. Meet new peers each week and grow your network.
- One-on-one mentoring: Participants who complete the course requirements will gain access to a limited amount of free 1:1 mentoring with an exclusive network of world-class experts who provide advice on seizing growth opportunities and overcoming obstacles.
Dates and times
Sessions
Dates: February 11, 18, 25, March 4
Time: 10am - 1:30pm ET
Workshops
Dates: February 16, 23, March 2
Times: 12pm - 1pm ET
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Province Issues Stay-At-Home Order
Current Order In Effect Until Tuesday, February 9th, 2021
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Notice courtesy of the Town of Wasaga Beach Economic Development Office |
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Due to the real and looming threat of the collapse of the province's hospital system and alarming risks posed to long-term care homes as a result of high COVID-19 transmission rates, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, declared a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA).
Effective Thursday, January 14, 2021at 12:01 a.m., the government issued a stay-at-home order requiring everyone to remain at home with exceptions for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, for exercise or for essential work. This order and other new and existing public health restrictions are aimed at limiting people's mobility and reducing the number of daily contacts with those outside an immediate household. In addition to limiting outings to essential trips, all businesses must ensure that any employee who can work from home, does work from home.
In response to the alarming and exceptional circumstances at hand, and to further interrupt the deadly trend of transmission in Ontario communities, hospitals, and long-term care homes, the government will enact the following additional public health measures:
- Outdoor organized public gatherings and social gatherings are further restricted to a limit of five people with limited exceptions. This is consistent with the rules during the lockdown during the first wave of COVID-19 in spring 2020 and will allow individuals and families to enjoy time outdoors safely.
- Individuals are required to wear a mask or face covering indoors at businesses or organizations that are open. Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance more than two (2) meters.
- All non-essential retail stores, including hardware stores, alcohol retailers, and those offering curbside pickup or delivery, must open no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and close no later than 8 p.m. The restricted hours of operation do not apply to stores that primarily sell food, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants for takeout or delivery.
- Non-essential construction is further restricted, including below-grade construction, exempting survey.
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Ontario Small Business Support Grant & Added Relief |
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Applications for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant are open. This vital program will provide eligible businesses a one-time grant to help get them through these challenging times.
The announcement made by Small Business Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria stated that the government will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to eligible small businesses facing challenges due to the necessary Provincewide Shutdown. This grant allows flexibility for small business owners so that they can spend it however makes the most sense for their businesses (e.g., paying rent, paying employee wages, maintaining inventory, etc.). Businesses can apply at: www.ontario.ca/COVIDSupport.
We encourage all to promote and share information on this program to help Ontario’s small businesses. We also encourage all small businesses to visit Ontario’s One-Window Small Business Portal which lists all available supports for small businesses struggling with COVID-19 at www.ontario.ca/smallbusiness
The government is also providing $600-million for property tax and energy bill rebates to support businesses required to close or significantly restrict services due to public health restrictions.
In addition, they are providing tax relief which includes a proposal to provide municipalities with the ability to cut property taxes for small businesses and reduce business education taxes. The province has also permanently increased the Employer Health Tax (EHT) payroll exemption to $1 million, meaning 90 per cent of employers pay no EHT.
The government of Ontario understands that people of this province are making difficult sacrifices to stop the spread of this virus, often at great personal cost. Through it all, the government recognizes the continued support as people work together in the fight against this terrible virus. It is that Ontario Spirit that will power the economic recovery of Canada's job-creation engine as we look towards a brighter future together. For more information, click here. |
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Ontario Trillium Fund
$100 Million Over The Next Two Years
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Not-for-profits, tourism as well as sports organizations and culture operators will be able to access government support of an additional $100 Million over the next two years through the Community Building Fund. The Ontario Trillium Fund support can be found at: www.otf.ca. |
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The Ontario Arts Council
$25 Million Emergency Funding
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The government is investing an additional $25 Million to support core cultural institutions and artists with emergency funding. The Ontario Arts Council can be found here: https://www.arts.on.ca. |
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Government-Sponsored Relief Within Reach Website |
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Businesses and entrepreneurs across Simcoe North have made extraordinary sacrifices throughout these unprecedented times. This website was designed specifically to help to easily access all the financial support available. My office is here to help.
Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North
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Watch The Business Support Webinar |
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Information provided about the Small Business Grant, Ontario Trillium Fund, and emergency funding from the Ontario Arts Council. |
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Town of Wasaga Beach
Financial Relief Options
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Looking For Town Support? |
Click here to visit the Wasaga Open For Business Recovery Portal for information on financial relief options currently being offered to businesses due to COVID-19.
Economic Development staff continue to be available by phone and e-mail to provide support and assistance to the public, business community and investors. Please call 705-429-3844, ext. 2274 or email at edo@wasagabeach.com.
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Thank You For Adverting Your Business
In The 2021 Community Information Guide
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WIDE CIRCULATION
25,000 copies of the The 2021 Official Community Information Guides are distributed nationwide through visitor information centers, as fulfillment to visitor inquiries, at trade shows, and through distribution at many local businesses throughout the area.
We also mail copies to all households in Wasaga Beach and select postal codes in Collingwood, Elmvale, Stayner and surrounding areas.
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The Digital Marketplace Web Portal!
Advertise Your Business With A FREE Place Listing
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The Digital Marketplace is a Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce initiative to share local business and community information during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. We invite all local businesses, organizations, associations, community resources, clubs and places to register for an account.
Once your account is created, you can login to add your business place information and also add any upcoming events. Yes, you can do all of this yourself as well as update your business listing information as needed! Note: Tutorials are available to walk you through the process. Click here to access the video.
Currently all event and business listings are free and you do not need to be a member of the Chamber to participate. Our goal is to build the Digital Marketplace as the go-to portal for Wasaga Beach business and community information. We need your help to do this! You can help us reach this goal by registering for an account and listing your business information as soon as possible.
Our plan is to market the new portal through both traditional and online marketing channels to spread the word about local business here in Wasaga Beach.
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The Chamber provides Personal Protective Kits to residents and tourists for $10 per kit. Business owners can also pick up a kit with social distancing signage provided by the Town of Wasaga Beach. You are welcome to stop by the office of Wasaga Tax & Accounting Monday through Thursday from 8am to 4pm. For more information or to inquire about sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, contact Colleen Bannerman at colleenb@wasagatax.com or email office@wasagachamber.com. |
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Sponsorship Opportunity: Personal Protection Kits
All Sales Proceeds Donated to The Ministerial Food Bank
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Financial Resources
Video Series
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2020 Community Information Guide |
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Getting to Know Your Local Resources Replay |
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Workplace Safety & Prevention Services |
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Post Pandemic Business Playbook |
A starter guide to restarting a Post Pandemic business. This tool can help you set priorities, get plans in place and protect your people.
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CTM Media Group Announces
1 Million Dollars In Matching Funds Program
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For Businesses That Have Been Affected By COVID-19 |
CTM is a leader in delivering your message to people looking for places to go and sights to see.
This past year has been difficult for businesses seeking to attract travelers and locals looking for fun.
That's why CTM is launching the Discover More! Program to help businesses amplify their message and make their marketing dollars go a lot further.
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Chamber Governing Bodies Resources & Links |
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Ontario Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Tools & Resources For Your Business -
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Wasaga Beach & COVID-19 Information |
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Economic Development staff continue to be available by phone and e-mail to provide support and assistance to the public, business community and investors. Please call 705-429-3844, ext. 2274 or email at edo@wasagabeach.com.
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Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Portal
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From Our Partners | Employee Benefits |
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Watch Our Video On Employee Benefits |
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2019 - 2021 Board of Directors |
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Colleen Bannerman, Chamber President - Wasaga Tax & Accounting
Tyler Rollins, Chamber Vice President - Key Mortgage Partners
Leslie Listro, Chamber Secretary/Treasurer - Caithkin Treatment Foster Homes
Selena Blais - Chamber Director - Georgian Life Media
Joel Simpson - Chamber Director - Georgian Family Chiropractic
Jason Ruttan - Chamber Director - RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc., Brokerage
Christina De Palma - Chamber Director - De Palma & Associate Legal Services
Jennie Elmslie - Chamber Director - Free Spirit Tours
Ava Alward - Chamber Director - Realtor, RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc.
Kathy Mulgrew - Chamber Director - Stonebridge Wasaga Beach Blues
Tanya Emmons - Chamber Director - Butterfly Bliss Healing
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