Hello everyone,

As the holiday season draws closer and the year comes to an end, I wanted to take this opportunity by shining some light on you, our members. All of you have continued to manage your way through this pandemic; you have done everything to adapt to both public health and economic realities, you have adjusted, pivoted, and shown exceptional resilience! And you have continued to support your community and your fellow chamber members. We are eager and willing to help your business in any way that we can into the new year and beyond. 

Recently, the Chamber received a government grant to executive a shop local initiative. We are incredibly grateful to partner with the Town of Lincoln and Downtown Beamsville BIA on their existing “Your Hometown Holiday” campaign, that has given us the chance to support local businesses and chamber members. We encourage everyone to shop local for your gifts this holiday season. Our small business community needs our support now more than ever.

We have been working hard to secure some fabulous host venues for 2022 networking events. We hope you take advantage of future opportunities to discover new connections and strengthen existing in 2022! Stay tuned for more event details on our website calendar.

As a Chamber of Commerce, we strive to continue to be a valuable and indispensable partner in your business as we head into the new year. If there is anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

On behalf of our team at the Chamber, we wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season and a prosperous New Year. 

Stay well,

Lindsey 

We have officially settled into our new digs and we are so excited to serve our members at our new office, located at 4996 Beam Street, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0. Our new mailing address is 4996 Beam Street, P.O. BOX 493, Beamsville ON, L0R1B0.

Our phone number, email addresses, and Chamber social media channels will remain the same.

*Please remember to update our new mailing address in your system!

With the holidays fast approaching, we have some updates to our availability. Please note that between the below dates, we will not have access to email or phone as we enjoy our family celebrations.

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Join us for the Lincoln Chamber's Annual Mingle & Jingle Christmas After 5 on December 8th from 5 PM - 7 PM at The Butcher and Banker Pub!

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Your registration includes:⁠

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Feeling Holly-Jolly? Spread some cheer and bring a non-perishable food item or more to support Community Care of West Niagara and you will receive one

free entry for a door prize! ⁠

Town of Lincoln,Councillor Dianne Rintjema

RJ Foster & Associates

Save the date for January 13 for a Business After 5 at Jacob Senior Living!

Embrace your Canadian-ness at this outdoor event held at The Jacob's heated outdoor living area.

Enjoy a warm beverage and live music while you make connections with local businesses and community organizations!

Registration opens December 20.

Save the date for February 11!

Join us for a unique opportunity to connect with your local politicians at our annual Breakfast with the Politicians.

Local representatives will all be in attendance to share what’s happening locally, regionally, provincially and federally.

Save the date for February 24 for another Business After 5 networking event at the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre!

We hope to see you there to make connections and grow our business networks!

On December 10th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, join the OCC to learn how businesses in Ontario are developing and using hydrogen – and how the government is

supporting them.

Our Hometown Holiday shop local campaign has officially launched!

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Town of Lincoln and Downtown Bench Beamsville, has created this strategic holiday campaign to support Chamber members and businesses within the Town of Lincoln as we head into the holiday season.

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Enhancing the Town of Lincoln’s 2020 "Your Hometown Holiday Campaign", our partnership this year will allow us to feature additional businesses by providing a digital spotlight on local favourites and hidden gems.⁠

Make sure to follow us on social media to be kept up-to-date!

Instagram: @lincoln.chamber

Facebook: @LincolnChamberofCommerce

LinkedIn: Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

Tell us about your experience as a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce member. Does being a member provide you with a sense of community? Do our events help you build a local business network? Do you take advantage of any of our cost saving benefits?

We'd love to hear about what being a Lincoln Chamber member is like for YOU!

You’ve each got your own reasons for being part of the Chamber – why not share those reasons with colleagues and friends?

A growing membership strengthens the Chamber’s voice; a voice that advocates for important issues, enhances services for our Members, and provides more business connections.

This is why we have implemented a NEW referral program. Members who refer a new business to the Chamber will receive a $50 gift card to a local grocery store, and the referred business that joins the Chamber will receive a $25 gift card to a local grocery store. It’s a win-win situation!

Any full member in good standing with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce can participate in this program. A referral bonus will be awarded for a NEW business or organization that joins the Chamber as a direct result of a current member’s efforts.

Organizations are considered ‘NEW’ if they have not been a member of our Chamber for at least 2 years. There is NO limit to the number of referrals you can make.

The Town of Lincoln is in the process of reviewing its Community Improvement Plans (CIPs). The Town currently has five Council-approved CIPs that provide grants for various projects ranging from restoration and improvements for designated heritage buildings to grants for investment attraction and job creation, as well as one focused on mixed-use and residential intensification. The questions related to all of the financial incentives, but the focus of the review will be the Beamsville, Vineland and Mixed-Use CIPs.

The goals of the review are to:

As part of this review it would be appreciated if you could take some time and complete the Town's online survey. Your responses will assist the Town in formulating revisions to the financial incentive programs and updating the CIPs.

The Ontario government is investing $24 million to improve and modernize equipment and training facilities that support hands-on learning for students and apprentices. These investments ensure apprentices have access to high-quality training as they pursue rewarding careers in the skilled trades.

Details were shared on December 2 by Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development and Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister, at Centennial College’s School of Transportation.

“By 2025, one in five jobs in Ontario are expected to be in the skilled trades,” said Minister McNaughton. “Our government is working for workers to ensure the mechanics, welders, and heavy equipment operators of tomorrow have the quality tools and equipment they need to learn the tools of their trade. This investment will give students and apprentices the learning experiences they deserve in the classroom, so they are set up for success on the job site.”

The Apprenticeship Capital Grant program funded 64 training providers and 19 apprenticeship training organizations across the province in 2021-22. Centennial College has invested over $1.6 million to upgrade equipment, including the purchase of three 3D measuring systems and six vehicles equipped with modern computer systems to improve training for future Automotive Service Technicians Apprentices and Auto Body Collision and Damage Repairers.

Other funding recipients in 2021-22 included the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre in Oakville, which received $105,000 to build a separate washroom facility for women and create a more inclusive training facility.

Interested organizations can apply for funding until December 21, 2021.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is inviting municipal leaders to a summit on housing affordability. The meeting with Ford, Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark and the mayors and regional chairs of big cities is set for Dec. 16.

Ford says his goal for the summit is to work on solutions to address the “crisis” of housing affordability so more families can become homeowners.

Clark is also set to hold a session on housing affordability with rural municipalities in January.

The latest plans from the Progressive Conservative government come after an earlier announcement of a housing affordability task force that will also look into the issue.

The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for any one borrower, of which no more than $350,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment. Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan.

For more information download their PDF pamphlet or click here to find a lender near you.

Please join our Board of Directors in welcoming Hartzel Marine to the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce!

As a fully licensed Legend & Mercury dealer and full marine repair shop, it’s no wonder why Hartzel Marine has grown to be one of the top shops for boaters in Niagara. Newly renovated in 2020, they have dedicated their efforts to guiding and advising their clients about the best boats on the market. Whether you want to visit the showroom, browse boating accessories, or book an appointment for service - Hartzel Marine's professional team is here for your every need.

Light maintenance of Rail Freight Cars, to include, on-site Inspections/Reports, PPM Programs, Brake Testing, Mechanical Repairs, Outlets and Loading Equipment, Decal Replacement and General Parts Supplies.