West Prince Chamber of Commerce
E-News January 2024
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Greetings from your CEO!
Hello, 2024, and Farewell, 2023!
Wishing you a joyous New Year to all!
As we bid farewell to 2023, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your steadfast support and collaboration over the past year. Together, we've navigated a mix of challenges and opportunities, and your resilience has played a key role in our shared success.
When things get tough, our business community and its members impress us with their strength and ability to adapt. It's inspiring to see how they face challenges, find solutions, and support each other. This showcases the strong spirit of our Chamber. I believe our Chamber will not just survive but do well in the new year because of your teamwork and shared vision. Your involvement and support have left a lasting impact on our communities, making it a place where businesses can continue to grow.
In 2024, we're still fully committed to you. We'll ask our business members for their thoughts to guide important conversations and efforts that match your priorities. The West Prince Chamber will keep providing memberships that give you value, so your participation stays both rewarding and effective.
I hope the next year brings more success and growth. Your hard work and strong support push us all to achieve more together. Here's to a prosperous New Year filled with opportunities and triumphs for each of you and our small communities.
Thank you for being an integral part of our Chamber family.
Upcoming events:
Member Breakfast Meeting January 25, 2024 - Housing Crisis
Business Awards Nominations deadline January 7, 2024 - Help nominate a business
Business Awards Gala February 22, 2024 - Mill River Resort
Warm Regards,
Tammy Rix
Chief Executive Officer
902-726-JOIN (5646)
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Don't forget to register for our upcoming Member breakfast meeting. Thursday, January 25, from 8-9:30 AM. REGISTER NOW!
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Nominate your Business for an Award |
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Business Awards Nomination deadline is January 7, 2024 |
Every year we seek your assistance in recognizing excellence in our business community. Your nominations help highlight the great work our local entrepreneurs are doing. If you think you know a business that should be recognized in one of our award categories please take a minute to fill out a nomination. Please write in as much detail as you can to explain why this person or business is worthy of the award and don't forget to check the criteria of the award you are nominating the business for.
Thank you for the nomination and good luck winning two tickets to our Business Awards Gala on February 22, 2024, at Mill River Resort.
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Member List & Business Awards Winners 2022 |
Business Excellence Awards Winners – 2023
Business of The Year – Backwoods Burger
Lifetime Business Achievement Winner - West Prince Auto Glass
Peoples' Choice Community Impact Winner - Rev. Bethe & Rick Cameron
Technology Innovator Winner - Kildare Fisheries Limited
Service Excellence Winner - M.J.'s Bakery & Caboose Cafe'
Marketing and Communications Winner - Moment's Floral Gifts & Custom Design
Emerging Business Growth Winner - Aster & Ash Boutique
Chamber Ambassador Winner - Lisa Reid Briarwood Lodge & Coastal Cottages
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January 17- Feb 7 Pricing for Profitability with Katy Baker Online
January 23 and 25 Marketing Basics with Lee Gallant Online
January 30-Feb 20 Business Plan Workshops with Cathy Rose Montague
January 30 CRA for Small Business Info Session Alberton
January 31 CRA for Small Business Info Session en français Online
February 1 CRA for Small Business Info Session Montague
CBDC Western PEI - Business Counselling
Business Counselling, Advice and Help
Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) offers business counselling, advice and other assistance to both new and established business owners and entrepreneurs. Counselling and advice are a major part of CBDC’s mandate and they work hard to help businesses succeed.
Supporting New Housing Initiatives in Rural PEI l
The Community Housing Fund supports the creation of new housing initiatives focusing on affordability, vulnerable populations, and assisted living. To help address a lack of housing in West Prince, Develop West Prince Inc. tapped into the fund to hire an employee who will carry out action items identified in a recent housing needs assessment. The Community Housing Fund is divided into three categories: capacity building and research; project management and professional services; and construction. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. The application can be found on the Community Housing Fund page.
Have an outstanding CEBA loan?
Small businesses that took out a Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan should revisit their repayment plans, as the government recently announced extended deadlines for this pandemic relief. Learn more about what happens to your loan if you can’t repay by January 18, 2024.
Importers: You have more time to sign up for the new CBSA online portal
Importers that haven’t registered for the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) new client portal should start preparing the information required now ahead of the May 2024 deadline to reduce potential disruptions to your supply chain. Learn how the new portal could affect your future transactions.
Do you have to file after T3 trust reporting changes?
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Government Programs & Updates |
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Monthly, quarterly, year-to-date and annual statistics related to the Prince Edward Island economy including GDP and labour force statistics, tourism indicators and agricultural market reports are compiled for public use. To view the PEI Economic Indicators Click HERE.
A new fund will help support community-based renewable energy generation.
The three-year $3.5 million Community Renewable Energy Generation (CREG) Fund is now open to applications from municipalities, Indigenous communities, and community groups.
Building on the Sustainable Communities Initiative, the new CREG fund will advance between six and 10 local, community-driven projects to generate cleaner and greener power, annually.
Examples of eligible projects include:
- renewable energy generation, including biomass, wind, solar, tidal/stream energy systems
- dual-fuel generators that act as a standby, emergency power source, coupled with a renewable energy generation install
- identifying opportunities for improving energy efficiency at the community level and/or making existing community energy systems more efficient.
The annual call for applications for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is open. Employment and Social Development Canada will be accepting applications until January 10, 2024. Ap
Through this federal funding, PEI has a 3-year action plan to deliver improvements to its health care system by 2026, including:
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Building 16 new Patient Medical Homes and establishing a network of team-based health providers and services across the province through Patient Medical Neighbourhoods. These innovations will help ensure that all PEI residents, including those in rural and remote areas, can access family health services.
- Supporting its health workforce by developing a strategic plan to recruit internationally educated health professionals and leveraging technology for streamlined training.
- Guaranteeing students studying in health care fields will have a full-time position upon graduation.
- Increasing access to diagnostic services by expanding laboratory services, extending hours of operation and reducing wait times for patients.
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Continuing to invest in Mobile Mental Health units and Student Well-being Teams to reach an additional 2,500 patients by 2026 living in rural areas, underserved and vulnerable populations, and within Indigenous communities with mental health services.
Trade HERizon Career Exploration and College Preparation
Trade HERizons is a career exploration and college preparation program for women and gender-diverse people focusing on exposure to trades and technology careers, enhancing essential skills, career exploration and personal development. Participants experience hands-on learning opportunities with Holland College and the Construction Association of PEI, meet mentors and tour with employers in the industry. Participants also enhance life skills and focus on labour market research, resumes, interviews, math, and team building.
Community Development Grants: Intake period: Jan 15 – Feb 16, 2024
Do you volunteer or work for a non-profit organization that provides sport and recreational opportunities for kids between the ages of 4-18 in financial need, or youth with disabilities between the ages of 4-25? The Canadian Tire JumpStart program provides funding assistance for programming and operational support to the organization.
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CHAMBER PERKS APP
To set up your company's account and to start offering perks on the app, go to the Admin Portal Website link https://cpaadmin.chamberperks.ca/ Save this link on your desktop for future reference or access it on your chamber's website homepage. Enter the Admin Portal Login Email Username and temporary password that was supplied in the onboarding email sent to you by your chamber. Make sure to change the password immediately.
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Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan has been protecting Canadian firms for 40+ years. Give Your Employees More Access to Quality Doctors and Show You Care About Their Health. Affordable Coverage. Advisor Support. 30,000+ Firms in Canada
Chambers Plan - Value
Business Assistance Service, standard with Chambers Plan employee benefits. Access to professional accounting, counseling, legal, and human resource experts who understand the challenges faced by small business owners.
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Flagship Discounted Shipping Program
No Better Time To Try FlagShip!
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Fuel Savings Program
As a Chamber of Commerce member, you can save on business travel just by fuelling up using your Irving Commercial card.
Open to Commercial Fleets & small business
To take advantage of this exclusive offer, Contact your local Chamber for the exclusive member code and then apply at:
Get your Promo Code from your local Chamber
Apply with your Promo Code to save on Fuel
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Trusted, Engaged, Responsive, and in your Community! Refer a local business to join today!
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