Your Weekly Tune Up
Brooks-Medicine Hat By-Election Forum on November 3rd
Brooks-Medicine Hat will go to the polls on November 8th to elect the Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA. The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has the opportunity and responsibility to provide an avenue to hear what your candidates have to say on issues affecting the business community. The Chamber will be hosting a moderated and business-focused Provincial By-Election Forum on Thursday, November 3rd for candidates running in Brooks-Medicine Hat Electoral District. Register Here
Natural gas-regulated rates remain stable for November
In order to protect Albertans from natural gas price spikes this coming winter, the rebate program will operate until March 31, 2023. The exact rebate amount that Albertans will receive depends on the default natural gas rate each month. In Budget 2022, Alberta’s government introduced a natural gas rebate program should rates exceed $6.50 per gigajoule from October 2022 through March 2023. As November’s highest monthly default natural gas rate will be $5.641 per gigajoule, the rebate will not be triggered. Should the monthly default natural gas rate from any of the regulated utility providers exceed $6.50 per gigajoule, the government will provide rebates to all eligible consumers covering the difference. Read More.
2022 harvest results in above-average yields
Alberta’s final Crop Report of the 2022 growing season indicated significantly higher yields – about 10 per cent above the five-year average. Overall, quality for hard red spring wheat, canola and dry peas was above their five-year averages, while durum wheat and oats was lower. Quality for malt and feed barley was on par with the five-year average. Due to favourable conditions, farmers across the province were two to three weeks ahead in harvest progress for the second straight year. Read More.
Advocacy in Action
CEBA Eligibility & Alberta Business
It is estimated that 50,000 businesses across Canada applied for and received Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) in 2020/2021, but have recently been informed by their financial institution that they are no longer eligible for the loan forgiveness portion.
We would like to gain insight to the number of Alberta businesses impacted so we can advocate on their behalf.
If you received a CEBA please take 1 minute to share your experience.
Municipal Red Tape and Business Supports
The Alberta Chambers network is conducting the fourth annual Municipal Red Tape and Business Supports survey. For business operators, this is your chance to be heard.
Help our advocacy efforts by providing insight on challenges and opportunities that you experience in your municipality.
More local responses means a stronger voice for business. The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete. Survey Link
Next Level Events
Leadership Breakfast
Wednesday, November 9th 2022 | 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Join us for our annual Leadership Breakfast bringing together representatives from all levels of government in our region. Connect with us, and our elected leaders, in an open dialogue and capitalize on the chance to influence the conversation. Evolving from the annual Mayor's Breakfast, we will bring together our MP, MLA, MLA elect, Mayor of Medicine Hat, Mayor of Redcliff, and the Reeve of Cypress County for a townhall style event that will offer our members an opportunity to connect with their elected representatives and gain insight into their activities. Learn More
2022 Midnight Madness
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with a downtown collective group of stakeholders, is pleased to launch Midnight Madness for 2022, taking place on November 18th, from 4:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. Midnight Madness is a yearly event that usually takes place a week before Black Friday to encourage people to shop early and support the local shops and owners within the downtown core.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has focused its share of funding on reinvesting back into the business community to support business and promote and encourage the local first message. They will also be working with other partners, several downtown stakeholders, and community sponsors to bring this event to Medicine Hat again in 2022.
Check out activities, sales and promotions here: www.downtownmedicinehat.ca
All Upcoming Start-Up Canada Events
Startup Communities 2022 | Build your Side-Hustle - November 9
Digital Skills: A Blueprint for Global Growth | Startup Global - November 15
Women in Food & Beverage | Industry Advisory Circle - November 16
Know Your Worth: Navigating Negotiation | Startup Women - November 30
Community Futures Entre-Corp and our Digital Service Squad Team will be hosting 3 online Lunch n Learn events in November.
Strengthen Your Reach with Google Business Profile Basics
Date: November 1st, 2022 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Website Essentials Checklist
Date: November 15th, 2022 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Social Media Content
Enriching Your Business
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Fuelling the Business Community
Executive director Lisa Kowalchuk joins Dan Reynish on CHAT News at Noon
Kowalchuk joined Dan Reynish on CHAT News at Noon to talk about as much as she could squeeze into four minutes. You can find out more about what she had time to talk about, what she didn’t have time for and other Chamber happenings at medicinehatchamber.com.
"Executive director Lisa Kowalchuk says starting on Nov. 1 the calendar is filled with Brown Bag & Business, a town hall in Redcliff, a byelection forum at Medicine Hat College and more." Read More
Investment Readiness Program
Social enterprises in Alberta are invited to apply to access significant funding and unlock innovative solutions through the Investment Readiness Program. This is part of a $50-million national initiative which is being delivered by Community Foundations of Canada and regional partners and is funded by the Government of Canada to support and expand social enterprises from coast to coast to coast.
The Investment Readiness Program is open to a diverse range of organizations and businesses including charities, non-profits, co-ops and social enterprises. The program can provide amounts ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 to create, manage, and expand social enterprises in order to get ready to accept investment.
When is the deadline to apply? November 22, 2022
How and where do I apply? Submit you application via the Community Foundations of Canada website here.
Questions? Watch this webinar on “How to Apply” or Learn more about the IRP here
Important Communication From Alberta Health Services to ACA
AHS is proceeding with the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) Reference No. AHS-2022-2218 for Pre-qualification for Contractor Services Related to Capital Projects this week. Vendors interested in becoming an AHS pre-qualified vendor may submit a proposal to the RFP which will be posted to the Alberta Purchasing Connection and BuildWorks Canada websites. AHS would encourage all organizations, if interested, to submit a proposal(s) to be considered for the AHS Pre-qualification List.
The RFP documents will be located at the following links:
(a) Alberta Purchasing Connection: www.purchasingconnection.ca
(b) BuildWorks Canada: www.buildworkscanada.com
Fill Up On Funding
Support for Employers to Hire First-year Apprentices
Are you a small or medium-sized business in need of apprentices to help build your future workforce? The Canadian Apprenticeship Service is offering up to $20,000* in help right now. In addition to the financial incentives, you’ll also receive:
- free access to employer-apprentice matching services;
- free access to mentorship programs; and
- free access to diversity and inclusion training.
Desjardins GoodSpark Grants: $3 million in Desjardins GoodSpark Grants for small Canadian businesses
Who can participate? Small businesses that:
- Are locally owned and operated
- Are doing business in at least one of the following provinces: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan
- Have a minimum of 1 employee and a maximum of 50 employees
- Have been registered for at least 1 year (October 1, 2021)
- Have a project that tackles at least 1 of the following subjects: sustainable development, employment, innovation and community impact
Growth Accelerator by Futurpeneur
The Growth Accelerator is designed to support young entrepreneurs with businesses approximately 18 months to 3.5 years old to create a new or updated business strategy for the next 3-5 years. The series of workshops will culminate in a strategy pitch competition in Toronto. Judges from the title sponsor and partner, Spin Master, will be on site and a cash award of up to $10,000 will be given to the entrepreneur who is able to best articulate their vision for growth.
Eligibility:
- Must be a Futurpreneur-supported entrepreneur, who received their loan between August 1, 2019 and August 30, 2021
- You must be able to articulate a goal for growth. Goal examples are available in the application form
Other Resources
KPIs: How to set the right metrics for your business
Embrace Productivity to Thrive in the Current Context
Reach shoppers this holiday season with Google
Learn the business of Instagram with 3 how-to guides designed to help you reach your business goals
25 easy holiday marketing ideas for retailers
Your Appeal Rights - Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance Coverage
Useful Links
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