Thank you for supporting the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce! This WEEKLY email highlights information and updates from our Chamber, the Alberta and Canadian Chambers of Commerce, our municipal, provincial, and federal government partners, and more.
Be sure to watch for our weekly Member Marketplace newsletter on Thursdays featuring sales, promotions, accomplishments, events, and general awareness of our membership. Email tom@gpchamber.com for info.
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The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce and the City of Grande Prairie have teamed up to deliver highly tailored instructional workshops to support current business needs in a virtual series called Serving Up Knowledge. The goal of each session is for business leaders or owners to leave with a skillset or ability to action the topic that is covered.
PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID FOR BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYERS
Thursday, May 6
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Presented by Alberta Health Services
This two-hour interactive training is designed to build participant’s confidence and skills to offer timely, relevant Psychological First Aid (PFA) support to employees. The workshop focuses on the 5 essential elements for effective disaster psychosocial response, key PFA action principles, and self-care for responders, with emphasis on responding and recovering form the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This training addresses how to respond remotely (phone/online platforms) to individuals that may be quarantined or practicing self-isolation/physical distancing. The workshop is designed to build participants confidence and skills to offer timely, relevant PFA support to employees. In order to provide an environment that encourages engagement and interaction, this session will not be recorded, however, if you are unable to attend, please contact us for alternative sessions hosted by AHS.
MORE UPCOMING SESSIONS:
May 13 - Leveraging Instagram for Your Business presented by nine10 Incorporated at 10:00 AM REGISTER HERE
May 20 - Step Into Mobile Marketing with GetintheLoop presented by GetintheLoop at 10:00 AM REGISTER HERE
To view our most recent session, Boost Your Brand with Canva presented by Image Design, please click here.
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CHAMBER COFFEE BREAK
The next Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffee Break for members is Friday, May 7 at 10:00 AM.
These virtual networking events take place every second Friday and offer an opportunity for our members to meet or reconnect online.
The informal event is intended to be a light-hearted discussion including ice-breaker introductions, questions of the day, and current news topics of interest.
For more information, contact our office by phone at 780-532-5340 or email cindy@gpchamber.com. |
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Our Chamber Board of Directors thank the Mayor, Councilors and the other officials from the City of Grande Prairie who met with us virtually to discuss topics of importance to our members and the general business community. We look forward to continued collaboration on advocacy issues and financial support programs. |
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Seeking Partners for our Brand-New Information Series: Community Pulse
The Grande Prairie area has a robust and diverse economy. The Community Pulse series is designed to provide updates and insights from a variety of the industries, sectors, and organizations that make up the fabric of our unique and incredible community. Join us for our 12-week series, helping us to share valuable information about our region and the people who make it special. Partnering with the Chamber provides great value in helping members to bring topical information and insightful presentations to the Grande Prairie business community.
We have a variety of partnership opportunities available; contact Cindy for more information by email, cindy@gpchamber.com or call the office 780-532-5340.
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FEATURED CHAMBER MEMBER VALUE ADDED BENEFIT
Our highlighted Chamber Member value added benefit this week is VEXXIT.
Building your Business Through Content Marketing and Social Media
We all want to do business with those we know and trust. So, as a business owner or manager, how do you gain trust and in turn, gain clients? As we see glimmers of normalcy returning, we also see how technology can help us do better business. Learn how your business can gain trust and clients through content and social media marketing on Vexxit Business. Read the article: https://bit.ly/3sC4FJV
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New Members for Month of March & April:
Dan the Stickman Ltd.
DRL Mechanical Ltd.
Drop the Shop Auto Inc.
Gaelan Sterr Enterprises Ltd.
Gel's Beauty Hub
Grande Prairie Minor Baseball Association
Northern Talent
RBN Supervision Ltd.
Solomon Okhifoh
Surepoint Technologies Group
The Eye Doctors at Grande Banks
Milestone Members:
5 Years
Inland Concrete
Kal Tire (Clairmont)
Red Rock Urban BBQ
Tanks Direct
Teepee Creek Stampede Association
The Jump Yard
United Rentals
10 Years
Fusion Business Solutions Inc.
Rotary Club of Grande Prairie
TMG - The Mortgage Group
15 years
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
Factors Western
Fundamental Technologies Ltd.
Tower Oilfield Services Ltd.
20 Years
Geo Con Surveying Ltd.
MLA Travis Toews Grande Prairie-Wapiti Constituency
Toyz Game Emporium Inc.
30 Years
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
Micro Computers Plus Ltd.
PLEASE NOTE: We no longer mail out your Member Certificate. Members can pick up hard copy at our office or we can email you a digital copy.
Directory Listing Enhancing- email leah@gpchamber.com with your updated contact information, representatives, email addresses, logo, etc.
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Contact our office for more information on the Partnership Plan:
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Downtown Construction is Underway!
The Downtown Rehabilitation and Streetscapes Project is a multi-year investment in the City Centre to replace and enhance underground infrastructure and streetscape features, amplifying Grande Prairie’s vibrancy and creating a high-density development ready downtown for years to come.
Construction starts this week with:
- Deep underground utility replacement at the intersection of 100 Avenue and 100 Street.
- Tree removal and streetlight removal on 100 Avenue between 100 Street and 99 Street.
Construction is expected to end in October 2021.
Traffic Impact
The intersection of 100 Avenue and 100 Street, as well as close 100 Avenue between 100 Street and 99 Street is closed to vehicle traffic and parking. Pedestrian access is maintained on 100 Avenue.
Currently, 99 Street will remain open to north/southbound traffic. Back lanes are expected to be open to pedestrian and vehicle traffic for the duration of the project.
Traffic detours are in effect as of midnight on Monday, May 3. Suggested travel routes are displayed on the City's detour map.
Visiting Downtown
The City of Grande Prairie encourages residents to continue to support local businesses throughout construction.
Pedestrian access remains available along 100 Avenue between 100 Street and 99 Street. Residents may park for free at one of the parking locations shown on the Downtown Parking Map below and walk to their destination.
Contact
Have questions about downtown construction? E-mail ourdowntown@cityofgp.com or call the City of Grande Prairie at 311 or
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Pilot Project - Service Excellence Blue Pin Program
The County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network is excited to offer a brand-new customer service certification program through Grande Prairie Regional College.
Customer service in your business is a major factor in keeping loyal staff who enjoy their work. During these exception economic times, having the staff who excel at customer service may mean the difference between keeping repeat customers and closing the doors on your business.
The Service Excellence Blue Pin Certificate is an employee retention strategy that focuses on training and customer service skills to front line professionals, management and supervisory staff. Providing the tools to your staff to provide exceptional customer service helps your workforce perform as a team and give awesome experiences to customers.
Participants will receive a certificate and lapel pin to signify completion of this program and participating businesses will receive door signage showing involvement in this customer service excellence program.
Funding for 100 participants (75 front line, 25 managerial/supervisory) is available through the County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network (BSN) for Employers looking to certify their Front Line and/or Management Staff and for unemployed or underemployed Albertans looking to further enhance their customer service career opportunities by completing the entire Customer Service Excellence Blue Pin program.
Funding for the certification program is made possible by grant funding from Alberta Labour and Immigration and the Destination Marketing Fund.
Please note that in an effort to support businesses of all sizes, larger organizations may be limited to the number of employees eligible for funding.
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for more information and to apply!
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SAVE THE DATE: The Alberta Chambers of Commerce is hosting an Alberta Health Services webinar for Chamber Members on May 12 from 5:00-6:00 PM with Dr. Deena Hinshaw regarding the province's vaccination rollout. More details to be announced.
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Increased Access to Rapid Testing Program
Rapid COVID-19 testing is now available to businesses in Alberta at no cost to the business.
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Alberta 2030 strategy to transform higher education
The Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs strategy sets the road map for a re-envisioned post-secondary system focusing on high-quality education and the skills and training needed for Alberta’s future. The strategy establishes six goals:
- Improve access and student experience
- Develop skills for jobs
- Support innovation and commercialization
- Strengthen internationalization
- Improve sustainability and affordability
- Strengthen system governance
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SMERG - Spring payment portal is now open
The application portal for the third Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (SMERG) is now open! SMERG offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees that have faced restrictions or closures due to COVID-related public health orders, and have experienced revenue losses of at least 30 per cent. Hotels, taxis and ride-sharing services are also now eligible for this payment. Eligible organizations will receive a payment of up to $10,000.
Application intake for the program is open until May 31 with a budget of $350 million.
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New rent support for Albertans between jobs
Starting May 1st, Alberta’s government will launch a new Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit paid directly to tenants for up to 2 years for eligible Albertans who are below the local income thresholds and are currently employed or have been employed in the last 24 months and are not receiving social assistance.
The Rent Assistance Benefit, formerly the Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement, reopened on April 1. This long-term benefit provides stable support for Albertans with the lowest income across the province.
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Bill-71 - COVID-19 Vaccination Leave - UPDATED
Additional public resources for Bill 71 are now live and the web page for the COVID-19 Vaccination Leave has been updated to provide more information.
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GOA signs MOU to renew PIC program
PIC is a voluntary commercial truck safety program that promotes safety excellence for commercial truckers and reduces red tape. It recognizes members who demonstrate a strong safety culture and operational excellence in commercial transportation in Alberta. PIC members can receive reduced administrative fees and bypass privileges at most provincial commercial vehicle inspection stations.
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During the session, President and CEO of Alberta Health Services (AHS), Dr. Verna Yiu, and her team will be sharing the AHS 10-year vision and key priorities for health care in Alberta. Click on the image for registration. |
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What you need to know if your employees use their personal vehicles for work-related travel
The Canada Revenue Agency is hosting a free webinar to help employers calculate, pay, and report automobile allowances for their employees.
Topics to be discussed in the webinar include:
- Definition of automobile allowances
- What is a reasonable per-kilometre allowance?
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Why do you have to complete Form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment?
- Employment expenses your employees can deduct
- How to report these allowances
- When to exclude advances from employee income
- What should your logbook contain
This webinar is for you if you're an employer who:
- provides automobile allowances to your employees
- asks your employees to use their personal vehicles for work-related travel
You’re invited to submit your questions about automobile allowances before the webinar takes place. To do so, please visit the registration website on Monday, May 17, 2021, between 6:00 am EST and 8:00 pm EST. We’ll answer as many questions as we can during the webinar.
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Make your organization more cost-competitive
Energy Savings for Business will help eligible Alberta businesses reduce emissions, decrease operating costs, grow their operations and become more competitive, while creating skilled jobs and boosting economic recovery.
Recognizing that time is money to Alberta’s businesses, the program will offer streamlined applications, quick turnaround times, expanded technology lists and clear, timely, comprehensive information. ESB will give businesses fast access to incentives for cost-effective efficiency measures:
- Up to $250,000 is available per project
- Up to $500,000 per parent company is available to cover the cost of products and services.
The readymade menu of incentives will save companies time and money in developing their projects.
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One Week Away! Executive Summit: Re-globalization in a Business-led Recovery
Why does re-globalization matter to Canadian business?
As a country dependent on overseas markets, Canada’s trade and investment is critical for companies to grow and reach new customers. Our May 12 Executive Summit will discuss global trends affecting businesses and what companies need to be aware of as they look ahead to the economic recovery.
The Summit will also feature panel discussions on digital trade and ecommerce and how they influence Canadian companies.
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Email info@gpchamber.com|Phone 780-532-5340 | Fax 780-532-2926
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