Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
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October is Small Business Month at The Chamber
Take a photo of your team or business and tag @VictoriaChamber to be featured on our social media platforms. Don't forget to tag #SmallBusinessMonthYYJ
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"It's never been more important for us to support each other, and The Chamber celebrates the many businesses that are working so hard to get through this time together," Williams says. "By sharing the story of Small Business Month, we want to encourage everyone in our region to pitch in and support local businesses."
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City of Victoria: Member since 1962
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Downtown Victoria Business Association: Member since 2007
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Chamber Events
Election Panel Videos:
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Make sure your voice is heard in provincial election
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BC Elections has added more ways for British Columbians to cast a vote in the provincial election. There are still opportunities to vote ahead of general voting day on Saturday.
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Economic forecast bright, Conference Board says
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Greater Victoria's economy will bounce forward significantly starting next year, says a new report by the Conference Board of Canada.
Our region is the only major city in Canada that the Conference Board expects will post a gain in retail sales in 2020. Retail sales fell 3.5% in the second quarter but have since rebounded. The forecast is for 2.7% increase this year despite the pandemic. Next year looks even better as the forecast is for growth of 6.9%.
It's not an entirely rosy picture, as the Conference Board says it will take years for Canada to shrug off the 11.5% contraction that the economy suffered as a result of shutting down in the second quarter. Governments also face difficult decisions in the years ahead as they will need to rein in spending.
"No one has a crystal ball, but The Chamber is encouraged by the detailed forecast offered by the Conference Board of Canada," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "Our region was thriving before COVID-19, and we know the fundamentals remain in place for us to create an even more resilient economy in the next few years."
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Provincial grant program available for small business
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Soon after the results of the provincial election are confirmed, The Chamber will be calling on government to ensure relief programs are available for sectors that are struggling due to COVID-19. The sooner we get our economy back to where it was before the pandemic, the better all of us will be.
One initiative we'd like to see improved is the province's Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grants program, announced Oct. 9. The program sets aside $300 million for grants between $10,000 and $30,000 to business that meet a range of criteria. The program also offers additional grants between $5,000 and $10,000 to tourism businesses that meet additional criteria.
The Chamber is concerned the program could leave behind businesses struggling to survive. Many are in vulnerable situations and need an immediate lifeline to make it through until spring, when revenue streams are expected to stabilize.
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Municipalities streamline business licence process
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Doing business in a region with 13 municipalities can be confusing. The Chamber continues to advocate for better governance through fewer governments, and we have strongly supported the Citizens' Assembly process that was started by Saanich and Victoria to explore the pros and cons of amalgamation.
One area that many municipalities have been trying to streamline is the business licence application process. The City of Victoria announced this week that it was moving the process online, enabling businesses to apply, pay and print licences without having to go into city hall.
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City of Victoria: Member since 1962
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District of Saanich: Member since 2019
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City of Langford: Member since 2019
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City of Colwood: Member since 2020
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Report outlines benefits of Island Rail Corridor
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The Island Corridor Foundation has released a report estimating the economic impact of restoring the Island Rail Corridor to operational condition.
The report says the $304 million project would require $147 million for labour and create thousands of jobs — based on an average annual full-time income of $67,000.
The foundation also recently contracted a survey that determined interest is high in rail service on Vancouver Island.
"The results should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that the people of Vancouver Island want to see rail service restored,” foundation CEO Larry Stevenson said in a news release.
Overall, 80% of survey respondents believe that federal and provincial governments should fund a modern and revitalized rail system for Vancouver Island, and 81% of respondents believe rail should receive a subsidy to support ongoing operations.
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Island Corridor Foundation: Member since 2020
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UVic Alumni Association collaboration opportunity
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Are you one of the 44,000 UVic alumni living in Greater Victoria? Do you own or operate a local business? We want to hear from you!
The UVic Alumni Association is looking for possible opportunities to collaborate with local businesses as part of our alumni engagement planning and initiatives. We want to learn more about our alumni in the local business community.
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Chamber priorities for next provincial government
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This month, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams's column in the Business Examiner is about The Chamber's wish list for whoever forms the next provincial government.
We recently heard from BC Ferries CEO Mark Collins as part of our virtual Business Restart Series. Mark was very optimistic about the feasibility of running a commuter ferry between Royal Bay in Colwood and downtown Victoria. Will candidates commit to championing this option if their party forms government?
What about mental health and addiction supports for people experiencing homelessness? Businesses also face a huge challenge simply getting their revenue streams back to pre-pandemic levels. How will government help? And will candidates commit to opposing measures that increase the cost of doing business?
What about relief for tourism and hospitality — the sector hit hardest by the pandemic? And as we repair and restart our economy, what opportunities do candidates see for our region? How will they commit to delivering the necessary retraining and incentives to build more resilience into our workforce? How can we lessen our impact on the environment and develop innovations that address climate change?
The questions themselves are almost as important as the answers.
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Support local business at the 2020 Virtual Chamber Auction
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Start exercising your bidding fingers, this year's Chamber's Auction Gala will be purely online.
Charge up your phone and your tablet, then bookmark your wish list as you prepare for a week of fun-filled bidding from November 15 to 22, 2020.
Want to be a part of the fun? Donate an item today to get some great exposure for your company!
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As The Chamber's major fundraising event, all proceeds from our Annual Auction support our 100% member-funded organization and the important work we do as the largest and most influential advocate for Greater Victoria's business community.
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AGM and Mayors Panel (Online)
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Join us for an historic event, as we bring together mayors from across the Capital Regional District to discuss what's ahead for our region as we move through this pandemic.
Chamber CEO Bruce Williams will facilitate a discussion on future collaborations between our regional municipalities.
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Tues., Nov. 3 | 11:45 am - 1 pm
Zoom
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Job Board during
Small Business Month
During these extraordinary times, The Chamber’s Job Board connects employers needing help with employees in need of work. Whether you’re a CEO, small business owner, or a manager looking for talent, finding and retaining employees is crucial.
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To celebrate Small Business Month, Chamber members will receive 20% off all job postings. Enter SMALLBIZMONTH at checkout to utilize the discount.
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Business of the Year (11-39 Employees) honours a business:
- that demonstrates continual business excellence through positive business growth
- displays a commitment to the community
- exemplifies superior customer service
- embraces an outstanding commitment to quality
- and demonstrates leadership and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Need some inspiration? Check out the videos of the 2020 Business of the Year (11-39 Employees) finalists below. Thanks to TELUS Communications for sponsoring this award.
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Train like a HarbourCat
Victoria HarbourCats are now accepting applications for members in their new indoor training centre. The Players Club offers a 5,000 square foot facility that features three batting tunnels and four pitching areas,. The facility aims to provide a strong, supportive culture for players looking to advance their skills in baseball.
Victoria HarbourCats: member since 2012
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Vecima Networks Inc: member since 2006
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A Moving Month
AMJ Campbell Van Lines – Victoria: member since 2015
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Supporting kids through jewellery
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Artina's Jewellery: member since 2002
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BC Children’s Hospital Foundation: member since 2016
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Douglas welcomes Synergy ED as guest editor
The new issue, available now, is focused on how small businesses across Greater Victoria are the " bedrock of our community."
Read the latest issue here.
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Douglas Magazine: member since 2004
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Synergy Sustainability: member since 2017
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Digital Direct turns 20
Digital Direct Printing Ltd. is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month! From its start as a marriage between Graphic Knights and Victoria Online, Digital Direct has gone on to become an award-winning, environmentally sustainable printer who cares, and provides support for many local organizations.
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Digital Direct Printing Ltd: member since 2002
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Abstract Developments Inc: member since 2010
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Mike Geric Construction Ltd: member since 2017
Concert Properties / Capital Park Residences: member since 2012
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Is your business implementing new strategies or innovative ways of connecting with consumers?
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Welcome to our newest members!
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250-383-7191
victoriachamber.ca
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