Road to Recovery: Niagara’s Economic Health April 11, 2023

In case you missed it! Below you will find the recording of our April 11, 2023 Road to Recovery session: A collaborative discussion about Niagara’s Economic Health.

Panelists:
Blake Landry (Manager, Economic Research and Analysis with Niagara Economic Development)
Marc Desormeaux (Principal Economist with Desjardins)
Dr. Stephen Tapp (Chief Economist with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce)

Moderator:
Verne Milot (Growth Associates)

Watch the Zoom meeting here.

Road to Recovery: Niagara’s Economic Health April 11, 2023

In case you missed it! Below you will find the recording of our April 11, 2023 Road to Recovery session: A collaborative discussion about Niagara’s Economic Health.

Panelists:
Blake Landry (Manager, Economic Research and Analysis with Niagara Economic Development)
Marc Desormeaux (Principal Economist with Desjardins)
Dr. Stephen Tapp (Chief Economist with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce)

Moderator:
Verne Milot (Growth Associates)

Watch the Zoom meeting here.

Canada Digital Adoption Program: Youth Boost 

Youth Boost helps job seekers build the digital and human skills they need to succeed in the current job market.

Your free account gives you access to learning labs, resources, and courses from Magnet and our partners, all developed to help you understand and build the skills in demand by employers across different industries.

Our goal is to help you strengthen your portfolio of skills and projects so you can demonstrate your readiness and experience to employers. Wherever you are in your career, we can help you level up your skills and connections.

Want to know more? Here is how it works:

  1. Get started today by creating a free Youth Boost account! Youth Boost is here to help you discover and prepare for your next opportunity!
  2. Get growing: Choose from 20 learning labs from Prepr, each with a focus on different in-demand digital and human skills. Instantly access new and featured courses from diverse partners by choosing from our rotating carousel of courses when you sign-in
  3. Get matched: Add new skills to your profile as you complete learning labs and courses to get matched with relevant job opportunities posted on Magnet.
  4. Get informed: Learning labs are developed with support and input from employers, industry leaders, and educators. You’ll complete projects based on real challenges, using real skills needed in your industry of choice.
  5. Get hired: Youth Boost will also connect users to paid placements offered through the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) Boost Your Business Technology Grant, funded by the government of Canada. Participants will gain valuable experience implementing and managing technology solutions and strategies.

Click here to create your free account today! 

Canada Digital Adoption Program: Youth Boost 

Youth Boost helps job seekers build the digital and human skills they need to succeed in the current job market.

Your free account gives you access to learning labs, resources, and courses from Magnet and our partners, all developed to help you understand and build the skills in demand by employers across different industries.

Our goal is to help you strengthen your portfolio of skills and projects so you can demonstrate your readiness and experience to employers. Wherever you are in your career, we can help you level up your skills and connections.

Want to know more? Here is how it works:

  1. Get started today by creating a free Youth Boost account! Youth Boost is here to help you discover and prepare for your next opportunity!
  2. Get growing: Choose from 20 learning labs from Prepr, each with a focus on different in-demand digital and human skills. Instantly access new and featured courses from diverse partners by choosing from our rotating carousel of courses when you sign-in
  3. Get matched: Add new skills to your profile as you complete learning labs and courses to get matched with relevant job opportunities posted on Magnet.
  4. Get informed: Learning labs are developed with support and input from employers, industry leaders, and educators. You’ll complete projects based on real challenges, using real skills needed in your industry of choice.
  5. Get hired: Youth Boost will also connect users to paid placements offered through the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) Boost Your Business Technology Grant, funded by the government of Canada. Participants will gain valuable experience implementing and managing technology solutions and strategies.

Click here to create your free account today! 

Road To Recovery: NIAGARA’S ECONOMIC HEALTH LIVING WAGE EMPLOYERS

Event date: Tuesday May 16, 2023

In case you missed it! Here you will find the recording of our May 16, 2023 Road to Recovery session (Passcode: w*8F8efK): A collaborative discussion about Niagara’s Economic Health and the region’s living wage initiatives.

Featuring:
Living Wage Niagara
Niagara Region Housing
Greenbelt Academy
Provisions Food Company

Road To Recovery: NIAGARA’S ECONOMIC HEALTH LIVING WAGE EMPLOYERS

Event date: Tuesday May 16, 2023

In case you missed it! Here you will find the recording of our May 16, 2023 Road to Recovery session (Passcode: w*8F8efK): A collaborative discussion about Niagara’s Economic Health and the region’s living wage initiatives.

Featuring:
Living Wage Niagara
Niagara Region Housing
Greenbelt Academy
Provisions Food Company

Strategic Parking Management Study – Project Launch

The Town of Grimsby has begun its Strategic Parking Management Study. Press Release is below.

For Immediate Release
Friday, April 14, 2023
Grimsby, ON

The Town of Grimsby is undertaking a Strategic Parking Management Study to address existing and anticipated parking issues and leverage opportunities to enhance their parking management system, which includes infrastructure, policies, and programs. The two study areas include the Historic Downtown Grimsby Core (Downtown Grimsby) and Grimsby on the Lake. Study area maps are provided at the bottom of this page.

The study will help develop a strategy that will meet parking demands while supporting:

·    The vision of the Downtown public realm,

·    Economic development,

·    Accessibility, and

·    Sustainable modes of transportation (walking, cycling, and transit).

Please visit the Let’s Talk Grimsby project webpage for more information.

Your Feedback Is Important to Us!

Please complete the online survey found on the Let’s Talk Grimsby project webpage to provide your feedback. The survey will remain open until Monday, May 8, 2023.

There are two surveys available at this time. One survey is for those who have been a visitor to one of the Study Areas. The second survey is for employers or employees who have businesses or who work within the Study Areas. If you are a visitor and an employer/employee, please feel free to fill out both surveys.

Project Information Boards

The project team is planning on providing virtual project information boards to inform you about the study. The project information boards will identify preliminary parking opportunities, challenges, and improvements to develop a comprehensive parking strategy. The virtual project information boards will be released on the Let’s Talk Grimsby project webpage later this month. Please sign up on the project webpage for updates.

Contact Information

Should you wish to submit additional questions or comments to the study team, please contact GrimsbyParkingStudy@rjburnside.com.

Contact:
Michael Palomba C.E.T., PTP, RSP1 Senior Transportation Engineering Technologist 905-945-9634

Parking Management Study: Learn More

Study Area 1- Downtown Grimsby Study Area

Study Area 2a – Grimsby on the Lake Study Area

Study Area 2b- Grimsby on the Lake Study Area

Strategic Parking Management Study – Project Launch

The Town of Grimsby has begun its Strategic Parking Management Study. Press Release is below.

For Immediate Release
Friday, April 14, 2023
Grimsby, ON

The Town of Grimsby is undertaking a Strategic Parking Management Study to address existing and anticipated parking issues and leverage opportunities to enhance their parking management system, which includes infrastructure, policies, and programs. The two study areas include the Historic Downtown Grimsby Core (Downtown Grimsby) and Grimsby on the Lake. Study area maps are provided at the bottom of this page.

The study will help develop a strategy that will meet parking demands while supporting:

·    The vision of the Downtown public realm,

·    Economic development,

·    Accessibility, and

·    Sustainable modes of transportation (walking, cycling, and transit).

Please visit the Let’s Talk Grimsby project webpage for more information.

Your Feedback Is Important to Us!

Please complete the online survey found on the Let’s Talk Grimsby project webpage to provide your feedback. The survey will remain open until Monday, May 8, 2023.

There are two surveys available at this time. One survey is for those who have been a visitor to one of the Study Areas. The second survey is for employers or employees who have businesses or who work within the Study Areas. If you are a visitor and an employer/employee, please feel free to fill out both surveys.

Project Information Boards

The project team is planning on providing virtual project information boards to inform you about the study. The project information boards will identify preliminary parking opportunities, challenges, and improvements to develop a comprehensive parking strategy. The virtual project information boards will be released on the Let’s Talk Grimsby project webpage later this month. Please sign up on the project webpage for updates.

Contact Information

Should you wish to submit additional questions or comments to the study team, please contact GrimsbyParkingStudy@rjburnside.com.

Contact:
Michael Palomba C.E.T., PTP, RSP1 Senior Transportation Engineering Technologist 905-945-9634

Parking Management Study: Learn More

Study Area 1- Downtown Grimsby Study Area

Study Area 2a – Grimsby on the Lake Study Area

Study Area 2b- Grimsby on the Lake Study Area

2023 State of the Region Recap

This year’s State of the Region was an incredible overview of where we are socially and economically within the Niagara region. We were thrilled at the opportunity to partner with our colleagues at the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce – huge thanks to the team at GNCC for their efforts, organization, and generous partnership on this event!

Chair Jim Bradley led an informative and energized session and reminded us that – even though we are at the mercy of countless geo-political influences, the whims of senior levels of government, climate change and shifting trends on everything from social justice to where and how we work – Niagara has a truly unique opportunity. For the first time in a long while our community is coalescing around a small, focused set of issues that we all want to tackle together. And this is an opportunity to make meaningful change for the entire community.

Chair Bradley transparently addressed the Region’s Budget, provided an economic update and took a look into the future of our region, stating that progress has been made on the priorities that were set last year.

Some highlight’s from his address included:
– Chair Bradley’s public announcement that the Regional Council, working closely with the Chief Administrative Officer, has approved the creation of an Office of Attainable Housing.

– For the first time in the Region’s 53-year history, we are putting dedicated resources behind an initiative that is solely focused on finding ways to make local government in Niagara more efficient, lean and effective.

– The region’s funding for homeless programs has received an 86% increase now totalling over $20 million; which will help shore up homelessness programs across the region and support those who need it most.

If you are interested in reading Chair Bradley’s full address and learn more about the six winners of the 2023 Niagara Impact Awards, click here.

View the 2023 State of the Region Address Transcript here.

2023 State of the Region Recap

This year’s State of the Region was an incredible overview of where we are socially and economically within the Niagara region. We were thrilled at the opportunity to partner with our colleagues at the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce – huge thanks to the team at GNCC for their efforts, organization, and generous partnership on this event!

Chair Jim Bradley led an informative and energized session and reminded us that – even though we are at the mercy of countless geo-political influences, the whims of senior levels of government, climate change and shifting trends on everything from social justice to where and how we work – Niagara has a truly unique opportunity. For the first time in a long while our community is coalescing around a small, focused set of issues that we all want to tackle together. And this is an opportunity to make meaningful change for the entire community.

Chair Bradley transparently addressed the Region’s Budget, provided an economic update and took a look into the future of our region, stating that progress has been made on the priorities that were set last year.

Some highlight’s from his address included:
– Chair Bradley’s public announcement that the Regional Council, working closely with the Chief Administrative Officer, has approved the creation of an Office of Attainable Housing.

– For the first time in the Region’s 53-year history, we are putting dedicated resources behind an initiative that is solely focused on finding ways to make local government in Niagara more efficient, lean and effective.

– The region’s funding for homeless programs has received an 86% increase now totalling over $20 million; which will help shore up homelessness programs across the region and support those who need it most.

If you are interested in reading Chair Bradley’s full address and learn more about the six winners of the 2023 Niagara Impact Awards, click here.

View the 2023 State of the Region Address Transcript here.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

Business Immigration Services | Supporting Business Succession Planning | Hiring or Retaining a Foreign Worker

Have you thought about accessing newcomer talent to address gaps in your workplace? From hiring immigrants to planning for the future, there are free resources out there to help you. Hiring and retaining foreign workers should be part of your ongoing recruitment strategy, and OINP can help!

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

Business Immigration Services | Supporting Business Succession Planning | Hiring or Retaining a Foreign Worker

Have you thought about accessing newcomer talent to address gaps in your workplace? From hiring immigrants to planning for the future, there are free resources out there to help you. Hiring and retaining foreign workers should be part of your ongoing recruitment strategy, and OINP can help!

First Annual ElevateHER event in partnership with Grimsby Benevolent Fund was a huge success!

We were so touched and so honoured to have been able to execute this beautiful initiative.

What an absolutely beautiful, uplifting and inspiring afternoon we had yesterday launching our first annual ElevateHER Women In Wellness initiative, in partnership with GBF Community Services! @gbfcommunityservices ???? A true celebration of strength, resilience, and community love and support.

This initiative was intentionally developed to support and empower well-deserving women in our community with a “hand up” through thoughtfully donated products and services offered exclusively from women-led businesses in our Chamber network. First off – wow!!! All of our donors delivered!! Heartfelt, sincerest thanks to all of the incredible local businesses that donated goods and services for the recipients. Based on the speeches we heard from our recipients today, it is so clear that your contributions have made a significant and lasting impact in their lives.

As a thank-you to the women who donated and participated in this new initiative, GBF hosted a special luncheon yesterday – International Women’s Day – at the GBF Wellness Hub where everyone had the opportunity to meet and network with the other donors; a beautiful time connecting other strong female leaders in our community. Thank you Stacy, Lindsay and Irene from GBF for hosting us and making this luncheon a beautiful success. You are true inspirations and role models!!

Donors include (thank you!!): Affiliated Insurance, Ag & Turf Power Service, @bioped_grimsby , @evgrimsby , Gardiner Chiropractic @drambernaomi@greenbeltacademy , @grimsbyanimalhospital , @jordans.flowers , @jjs.onthedocks , @thesunscreencompany , @thelynnfeeteam , @mrs_greenway , @rebeccamullindesjardins , Ross and Mcbride, @shearimagesalon , @iamtiffanyirene , @urban_tailz , @grimsbypizza@augustbeamsville@smokeandmoonshine , @stationonecoffeehouse

With the support of our incredible chamber community, we look forward to another ElevateHER campaign again next year. If you’d like to be put on our donor list or want more info on the initiative, please do not hesitate to reach out to us! Info@grimsbychamber.com

???? On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength and resilience of women everywhere, and also recognize the powerful contributions of women-led businesses in our community. Let’s support and uplift women and the women entrepreneurs among us, and work towards a future where women have equal opportunities to lead and succeed, all year long. #IWD2023 #WomenInBusiness ????

First Annual ElevateHER event in partnership with Grimsby Benevolent Fund was a huge success!

We were so touched and so honoured to have been able to execute this beautiful initiative.

What an absolutely beautiful, uplifting and inspiring afternoon we had yesterday launching our first annual ElevateHER Women In Wellness initiative, in partnership with GBF Community Services! @gbfcommunityservices ???? A true celebration of strength, resilience, and community love and support.

This initiative was intentionally developed to support and empower well-deserving women in our community with a “hand up” through thoughtfully donated products and services offered exclusively from women-led businesses in our Chamber network. First off – wow!!! All of our donors delivered!! Heartfelt, sincerest thanks to all of the incredible local businesses that donated goods and services for the recipients. Based on the speeches we heard from our recipients today, it is so clear that your contributions have made a significant and lasting impact in their lives.

As a thank-you to the women who donated and participated in this new initiative, GBF hosted a special luncheon yesterday – International Women’s Day – at the GBF Wellness Hub where everyone had the opportunity to meet and network with the other donors; a beautiful time connecting other strong female leaders in our community. Thank you Stacy, Lindsay and Irene from GBF for hosting us and making this luncheon a beautiful success. You are true inspirations and role models!!

Donors include (thank you!!): Affiliated Insurance, Ag & Turf Power Service, @bioped_grimsby , @evgrimsby , Gardiner Chiropractic @drambernaomi@greenbeltacademy , @grimsbyanimalhospital , @jordans.flowers , @jjs.onthedocks , @thesunscreencompany , @thelynnfeeteam , @mrs_greenway , @rebeccamullindesjardins , Ross and Mcbride, @shearimagesalon , @iamtiffanyirene , @urban_tailz , @grimsbypizza@augustbeamsville@smokeandmoonshine , @stationonecoffeehouse

With the support of our incredible chamber community, we look forward to another ElevateHER campaign again next year. If you’d like to be put on our donor list or want more info on the initiative, please do not hesitate to reach out to us! Info@grimsbychamber.com

???? On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength and resilience of women everywhere, and also recognize the powerful contributions of women-led businesses in our community. Let’s support and uplift women and the women entrepreneurs among us, and work towards a future where women have equal opportunities to lead and succeed, all year long. #IWD2023 #WomenInBusiness ????

First Coffee & Connect of 2023: February 16 at Gizio Banquet Centre

The first Coffee & Connect of the year was a huge success!! It was great seeing everyone who joined, and a BIG, BIG thank you goes out to our gracious hosts Gizio Recreation & Banquet Centre for setting up a beautiful space for us to connect and network in, and for offering a wonderful spread of food/drink. You are incredible hosts!!

It was such a pleasure learning about everyone’s business, seeing new and familiar faces, and enjoying the company of other business owners and entrepreneurs before the work day began. Thank you to all who came out!! We look forward to our next Coffee & Connect ☕️???? Until then, here are some photos to enjoy ????

Interested in hosting the next networking event at your place of business? Let’s talk! Email us at info@grimsbychamber.com

First Coffee & Connect of 2023: February 16 at Gizio Banquet Centre

The first Coffee & Connect of the year was a huge success!! It was great seeing everyone who joined, and a BIG, BIG thank you goes out to our gracious hosts Gizio Recreation & Banquet Centre for setting up a beautiful space for us to connect and network in, and for offering a wonderful spread of food/drink. You are incredible hosts!!

It was such a pleasure learning about everyone’s business, seeing new and familiar faces, and enjoying the company of other business owners and entrepreneurs before the work day began. Thank you to all who came out!! We look forward to our next Coffee & Connect ☕️???? Until then, here are some photos to enjoy ????

Interested in hosting the next networking event at your place of business? Let’s talk! Email us at info@grimsbychamber.com

Niagara’s Road to Recovery: Season Three

SESSION ONE: STATE OF HEALTHCARE IN NIAGARA

If you missed the first session of the Niagara Chamber Partnership’s third season of the Road to Recovery series, you’ll want to check it out.

Our panelists shared some fascinating (and troubling) insights that will leave you asking the question, how can we help?

Moderator Verne Milot guides us through the discussion with three of the biggest names in healthcare in Niagara:

  • Dr. Johan Viljoen: Chief of Staff & Executive Vice President Medical (Niagara Health)
  • Rob MacIsaac, President & CEO (Hamilton Health Sciences)
  • Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, Acting Medical Officer of Health & Commissioner, Public Health (Niagara Region)

Check out the recording here.

SESSION TWO: BEST PRACTICES FOR RECRUITING AND RETAINING TALENT

Our second session featured a range of businesses from across the region, sharing insights into how they handle recruitment and retention:

  • Michelle DeLuca: Senior Human Resources Consultant (Durward Jones Barkwell & Company LLP)
  • Mariana Butler: President (Employment Professionals Canada)
  • Kevin Verhoef: Owner (Verhoef Electric)

You can check out the recording here.

Niagara’s Road to Recovery: Season Three

SESSION ONE: STATE OF HEALTHCARE IN NIAGARA

If you missed the first session of the Niagara Chamber Partnership’s third season of the Road to Recovery series, you’ll want to check it out.

Our panelists shared some fascinating (and troubling) insights that will leave you asking the question, how can we help?

Moderator Verne Milot guides us through the discussion with three of the biggest names in healthcare in Niagara:

  • Dr. Johan Viljoen: Chief of Staff & Executive Vice President Medical (Niagara Health)
  • Rob MacIsaac, President & CEO (Hamilton Health Sciences)
  • Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, Acting Medical Officer of Health & Commissioner, Public Health (Niagara Region)

Check out the recording here.

SESSION TWO: BEST PRACTICES FOR RECRUITING AND RETAINING TALENT

Our second session featured a range of businesses from across the region, sharing insights into how they handle recruitment and retention:

  • Michelle DeLuca: Senior Human Resources Consultant (Durward Jones Barkwell & Company LLP)
  • Mariana Butler: President (Employment Professionals Canada)
  • Kevin Verhoef: Owner (Verhoef Electric)

You can check out the recording here.

Send a message to Queen’s Park!

**DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 30**

The Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) are looking for your insights on issues that matter to your businesses.

How confident are you in Ontario’s economy and your organization’s outlook? What should governments prioritize to drive economic growth?

Your participation in the annual Business Confidence Survey is an important as ever. The results of the survey will inform the 2023 Ontario Economic Report (OER): the OCC’s landmark research platform, offering a unique perspective on the experience of businesses of all sizes across the province.

Share your views by taking a short, five-minute survey here:

ACCESS THE SURVEY HERE

This survey is being conducted by Golfdale Consulting, an independent consulting firm.

All responses will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential.

Survey closes: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at midnight

Take the survey and let the government know what is important to you!

 

(FUN FACT: our Grimsby businesses were so engaged with the 2022 OER that, at this time last year, Grimsby ranked #3 amongst participating chambers for survey responses…let’s top that this year!)

Send a message to Queen’s Park!

**DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 30**

The Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) are looking for your insights on issues that matter to your businesses.

How confident are you in Ontario’s economy and your organization’s outlook? What should governments prioritize to drive economic growth?

Your participation in the annual Business Confidence Survey is an important as ever. The results of the survey will inform the 2023 Ontario Economic Report (OER): the OCC’s landmark research platform, offering a unique perspective on the experience of businesses of all sizes across the province.

Share your views by taking a short, five-minute survey here:

ACCESS THE SURVEY HERE

This survey is being conducted by Golfdale Consulting, an independent consulting firm.

All responses will be kept strictly anonymous and confidential.

Survey closes: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at midnight

Take the survey and let the government know what is important to you!

 

(FUN FACT: our Grimsby businesses were so engaged with the 2022 OER that, at this time last year, Grimsby ranked #3 amongst participating chambers for survey responses…let’s top that this year!)

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