KACC Chamber Connections - February 12, 2026

Kensington and Area Chamber of Commerce

"Chamber Connections"

February 12, 2026

Supporting the local Business

Community since 1961!

KACC Member Directory

Member Benefits

CHAMBER NEWS

Message from KACC Executive Director

January was a busy month with planning out lots of events and sessions for the year! It is also member renewal time, so if you have not received your invoice for your membership for the year, please reach out to me.

We had most of our Board take part in our Strategic Planning morning a few weeks ago and look forward to sharing more with our members soon!

Please see below for some upcoming events and sessions, funding opportunties and some member highlights.

As always, reach out of you have any suggestions or would like to be more involved with the Chamber!

Julie

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! (more info below)

Thur, Feb 19th - 11:00am KACC Annual General Meeting

Wed, Feb 25th - 9:00am Caffeine Connections at the Willow Bakery & Cafe

Wed, March 25th - 1:00pm Business 101 Session

Fri, April 10th - 7:00pm President's Casino Night

Tue, April 21st - 6:00pm Wills & Estate Session

If you are interested in becoming more involved with the KACC, please reach out! kensingtonandareachamber@gmail.com

Please follow our social media accounts @ktownchamber to keep up to date on events, learn more about the benefits offered and your fellow members!

Greetings from Kensington Town Hall.

As February settles in, I want to extend my appreciation to all of our local business owners. This time of year can be challenging, with slower foot traffic and the lingering winter weather, but your perseverance continues to be one of our community’s greatest strengths.

Please know that the Town recognizes the effort it takes to keep things moving during the quieter months, and we remain committed to supporting a strong environment for business as we look ahead to spring.

Thank you for the important role you play in keeping Kensington vibrant and welcoming. Brighter days—and a busier season—are just around the corner.

Warm regards,

Jeff Spencer

Mayor - Town of Kensington

902 836-3781

mayor@kensington.ca

https://kensington.ca

UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

The Annual General Meeting for the Kensington & Area Chamber of Commerce will be held on Thur, Feb 19th at 11:00am at the Murray Christian Center.

The new Board of Directors will be announced and there will be a panel discussion with various local business owners/managers.

For tickets, please email Julie at kensingtonandareachamber@gmail.com or online at this link.

For the full AGM package including the minutes from last years AGM, the financials from 2025 and the proposed budget for 2026.

Please join us for the first Caffeine Connections of the year being held at The Willow Bakery & Cafe.

Thank you to Central CBDC PEI for sponsoring!

Come on out and enjoy a beverage and a chat with fellow business members in the community. No RSVP required.

SAVE THE DATES - TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON!

KACC SPONSOR HIGHLIGHT

Thank you to Monaghan Farms for their support of the Kensington & Area Chamber of Commerce!

Monaghan Farms is a product of a long line of potato farmers, six generations and counting. That tradition continues to this day as it is truly a family effort. The end result of all that experience is a company committed to quality and dependability.

Link to website

BUSINESS TOOLS/FUNDING/

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Rural Enhancement Employment Program:

Wage Subsidy for private business

The Rural Enhancement Employment Program (REEP) is now accepting applications for 2025–26. This program helps rural Prince Edward Island businesses create and grow local employment by offering a wage subsidy for new positions that strengthen community capacity and the rural economy.

Here’s how it works:

• Eligible businesses located outside the Greater Charlottetown area and Summerside core can apply.

• Funding can cover up to 50% of a new position’s wages (up to $18/hour) for up to 20 weeks, plus up to 50% of related employer costs like EI and CPP.

• Priority is given to new or expanding businesses and jobs with strong potential to become permanent full-time roles.

Applications are reviewed year-round, with activities required to be completed by March 31, 2026.

Learn more about REEP here

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has launched a nowcast tool, BDLNow, to produce real-time estimates of Canada’s quarterly GDP growth ahead of Statistics Canada quarterly figures. Check out the new tool here.

Innovation PEI Business Resource Hub

The new Business Resource Hub is the place to find information for every stage of your business journey. Our new Business Resource Hub includes helpful resources to build your business toolkit and articles including:- Business Ownership: Is it the right choice for you?

- Developing a Marketing Strategy

- Quick Guide to Financial Proposals

- Guide to Corporate and Business Name Rules

Check out the resource Hub here!

Innovation PEI - Small Business Investment Grant

Innovation - Business Benefits Finder

Grants & Funding from the Government of Canada

Canadian Grants Business Centre

Province of PEI - Programs & Funding

Federation of PEI Municipalities - Grants & Programs

MEMBER NEWS

We are so pleased to have a second location of Jane & Sue Chocolate open up and right in the heart of Kensington! They are located at 2 Commercial Street (across from the Credit Union).

Their Stanley Bridge location is still open on weekends right now.

Follow them on Facebook to see their hours and all the delicious and beautiful chocolate they have! Just in time for Valentines Day!

We are happy to share any news or upcoming events for our members! Please send along to kensingtonandareachamber@gmail.com by the 15th of each month to have it included!

WELCOME TO THE KENSINGTON &

AREA CHAMBER

Welcome to new member, Auction Owls, to the Kensington & Area Chamber!

Auction Owls owners, Paul and Valerie Cyr moved their Auction Owls location to Trailside Plaza in 2021. Drop into Auction Owls where you will find a great selection of used and collectable items.

Biweekly online auction, convenient 24hour access, new and gently used items.

Call to consign your items with us, 902-888-9703. www.auctionowls.com

Welcome to new member, Thompson Construction, to the Kensington & Area Chamber!

Thompson Construction is a locally owned and operated carpentry based construction company serving central PEI. Backed by over 20 years of hands-on experience and led by Red Seal endorsed carpenter- Tyler Thompson.

We provide quality residential, agricultural and light commercial construction services including renovations, decks, siding, windows and doors, concrete foundations and flat work, and general carpentry.

We take pride in honest workmanship, clear communication, and building durable results suited to Island conditions. We look forward to working with fellow Chamber members and supporting the local community.

www.thompsonconstructionpei.ca

KACC MEMBER OF THE WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING A MEMBER!

Hummingbird Creative

Hummingbird Creative works with clients, to get them noticed and remembered.

Brand - Sign - Publish - Promote

Creativity for hire to grow your business.

Follow their Facebook Page for more info!

Island Stone Pub

With a diverse pub-style menu, fresh local beers and ales, and amazing staff, you can't skip out on this restaurant in the Heart of PEI!

Check out their Facebook page for their hours, menu and specials!

Eternal Wellness

Denee Gallant Ramsay first opened Eternal Fitness and then after 10 years in business, she decided to expand into a Wellness Centre! The facility was then called Eternal Wellness, located in South Rustico.

Check out an upcoming session on Feb 15th!

Come and explore how menopause impacts your body—and discover simple, effective tips to help you feel your best in midlife!

More details on their Facebook page.

HMS Office Solutions

HMS Office Solutions with an in-stock selection of over 7000 items, including office and computer desks, seating, filing general stationery, school supplies, printers, fax machines, computer accessories, and so much more, HMS Office Supplies can fulfill your needs.

HMS Office Solutions is located at 161 East Drive in Summerside and a second location at 65 Queen Street in Charlottetown!

"Our Canadian partners have established new partnerships, enabling us to expand our offerings and maintain competitiveness.

Despite uncertainties and increasing tariff threats, our strong partnerships with Canadian manufacturers and suppliers are the key factor in helping us stay resilient, enabling us to provide quality furniture and office supplies with minimal price increases. We are dang proud of that.

With continued local support and collaborations in PEI, we are confident in our ability to protect the local business community and keep operational costs manageable."

https://com.hamster.ca/en/hms

KACC MEMBER BENEFIT HIGHLIGHT

KACC's Vision is to create community growth, relevancy &

economic success.

KACC's Mission statement is to Respond to the Kensington business community's needs through valuable benefits, advocacy,

and networking.

kaccpei.com

kensingtonandareachamber@gmail.com