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The government of Alberta is attempting to expand surgery access in central, and southern Alberta

As part of the Alberta Surgical Initiative, Alberta Health Services (AHS) aims to schedule an additional 1,350 surgeries in the central zone and about 1,250 more procedures in the south zone, ranging from hip and knee to general surgeries, by inviting chartered surgical facilities to submit proposals.

In hopes by expanding contracts with chartered surgical facilities in central and southern Alberta, Alberta hopes it will reduce wait times and deliver about 2,600 more surgeries closer to home. Read More

Community Policing Grant applications open

Indigenous and municipal communities in Alberta can now apply for a one-time grant of up to $30,000 to develop a business case for their own self-administered police service or regional equivalent. Eligible First Nations communities, Metis Settlements and municipalities may use Community Policing Grant funding for business case expenses such as staffing, consultation fees and program administration.

Learn more

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2022 Business Awards – A New Era of Roaring Success

“A New Era of Roaring Success” was chosen as this year’s theme to signify the ‘Roaring 20’s’ of this century. Similarly, to the 1920’s, our 2020’s are the beginning of a united force in supporting and strengthening our local economic prosperity. As we navigate the ‘Roaring 20’s’ of this century we celebrate our businesses, past and present, that have weathered the challenges and have emerged with new ideas, innovative practices, and even stronger connections.

This year the Chamber will be hosting the Business Awards at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, Friday, October 14th, 2022. The event will start around 5:30 pm where individuals can network, enjoy 1920’s Jazz, Cocktails, and Appetizers. Guests will then proceed to the Main Theatre room at 6:30 pm where the Award Ceremony will premier. Tickets are officially on sale; tickets will be priced at $97 per person (Membership discounts will be given via discount code). Save October 14th in your calendars and join us as we celebrate a New Era of Roaring Success within our businesses and the community.

Tickets on sale now!

Fuelling Our Business Community

Brokerlink

The Customer Service Award is sponsored by Brokerlink

We are very proud to feature the Customer Service Award sponsor of the 2022 Business Awards - A New Era of Roaring Success: Brokerlink

BrokerLink thrives on integrity, respect, generosity, excellence, and most importantly the customers that surround them. BrokerLink purposely places themselves in the community, so they know the best way to support, create connections, and be a driving force for involvement.

Interested in helping us celebrate a New Era of Success? Become a sponsor. Contact Us 403-527-5214

The Power of Community

Parade of Homes

BILD Medicine Hat kicked off the annual Parade of Homes last week! We were so fortunate to be a part of the launch each year and to be able to see these amazing homes that are built in our community.

The parade of homes is being run from September 7th - October 2nd.

Hours of operation include:

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Wednesday / Thursday

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Saturday / Sunday

Parade of Homes

 

Root Cellar 30th Anniversary and Grand Opening!

We were glad to be a part of celebrating the Root Cellars Grand Opening as well as their 30th Anniversary! We are so grateful to have this organization as a member of the Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to the continuing work that we do with you!

Congrats again!

Learn more about the Root Cellar or contact them at 403-528-4313

Enriching Your Business

NO FIRM IS TOO SMALL FOR US TO COVER
Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan
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Contact JoAnne Letkeman, Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor, 403-504-2166 ext 1.

See all our Value Added Benefits!

Fill Up On Funding

Grow your tourism business: apply for funding

Applications are now open for Travel Alberta’s Cooperative Investment Fund. The fall intake will support winter events and festivals, as well as rural development and promotion focused primarily on driving winter visitation. Eligible businesses can receive up to $100,000 in a non-matching partner investment, with additional funding available on a case-by-case basis.

We are seeking strong applications for:

  • High-impact, signature winter events with a high potential return on investment
  • Events that charge an admission fee and take place over multiple days, driving overnight visitation to the region
  • Regional promotional strategies aimed at growing winter visitation and driving cash flow to tourism businesses

Find out more and apply.

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Community Initiatives Program

The Community Initiatives Program (CIP) provides funding to support initiatives that enhance and enrich communities throughout Alberta.

CIP outcomes are to:

  • strengthen leadership and organizational capacity of community organizations
  • support community-driven goals that have a public benefit

CIP has 3 distinct funding streams:

  • Project-Based
  • Operating
  • Major Cultural and Sport Events

Apply Before September 15th, 2022

Advocacy in Action

Plain Language Policy: How Policy Works

What happens when you have an issue in your business that you just can’t figure out?

You might go talk to your accountant or lawyer, or maybe you’ll go see a business coach if the issue is internal. But what if that issue is something that the government is doing? What if there is so much red tape that something that should take you 1 hour is taking a full week? What if it’s taking you months? What if it’s costing you thousands of dollars?

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That’s where the Chamber policy team comes in.

Ultimately the government might mean well, but they are often making decisions about something they have very little practical understanding about. They may have had conversations, but anyone who runs a business knows that a conversation is no substitute for living it. Not to mention there are often a lot of opposing perspectives that should be considered to come to the best decision. So naturally, the government is going to get some things wrong.

What happens next?

As a grassroots organization, we are driven by our members. So when a member has a situation where government is harming their ability to do business, they can come to us. They fill out a Business Advocacy Submission Form where they let us know what the issue is and what they think should be done about it. We will gather our members and discuss the issue to determine what the next best steps are. From there, staff will write a policy recommending that government (whether that’s municipal, provincial, or federal) make a very specific change to address the identified issue.

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Okay we have a policy, now what?

Once we have a policy that has been approved by the board, it’s time to start advocating for that policy. That means we work to get meetings with the right people in government and state our case. We make a compelling argument and do everything we can to get government to adjust their policy to address the issues and solutions we’ve identified.

And that’s the process.

It doesn’t always go smoothly, but we will often see government address the issues we’ve brought up in some way. Ultimately, it’s always going to be worth it if we can help business do business better.

Next Level Events

2022 LIVE2LEAD

Medicine Hat's 5th Annual global leadership simulcast event with world-class leaders; John C Maxwell, Patrick Lencioni, Eric Thomas, Tim Elmore and Doris Kearns Goodwin.

A ONE DAY EVENT FOR YOU TO INVEST IN YOUR LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL GROWTH. Learn from these world-class leadership experts, be prepared to implement a new action plan, and start leading with renewed passion and commitment.

HAVE A GROUP? WANT TO INVEST IN YOUR TEAM? JOIN US ON OCTOBER 7TH.

For more information visit: www.justbetc.ca/live2lead-2022

From data to actionable insights

Make Business Decisions with Data

Learn how to apply data science practices to streamline business processes, improve decision-making, and increase sales.

Join APEX for a Lunch & Learn workshop with Cybera

Lunch and refreshments will be available to those who register. Learn more about the program. This event is co-hosted by Medicine Hat College and APEX Alberta.

Data Science Workshop - Cybera Register here.

September 20, 2022 – 12 pm – 1 pm

Room# VC164, Cultural Centre, Medicine Hat College

Other News

ERA is seeking innovative CCUS technologies: Total funds available is $19 million. Deadline: September 12, 2022.

Canadian Food Innovation Network's Innovation Booster: provides funding up to $100,000 to advance your food innovation and research outcomes. Next intake deadline: September 12, 2022.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is seeking a technology, procedure or technique that provides the means to detect concussions. Deadline: September 12, 2022.

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