LATEST UPDATES & BUSINESS RESOURCES
You are invited to attend the
LADYSMITH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2020
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Join fellow Chamber Members, Directors and Staff
as we celebrate the accomplishments and efforts contributing to the successes of the past year,
and share plans for the future.
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Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Location: Zoom Meeting
Cost: Free
RSVP 250.245.2112 or email
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An AGM Package and link to join the Zoom meeting
will be emailed to all registrants prior to the AGM.
***Voting privileges for Members in good standing of the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce.***

HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO CHECK OUT THESE NEW INVESTMENT TOOLS FOR LADYSMITH?
The Partnership for a Vibrant Local Economy launched a set of new online investment tools for Ladysmith and the surrounding area to serve as a driver for economic activity and attract new business opportunities.
The new one-stop resources for locals, visitors and those looking to do business here includes a new Tourism Ladysmith and Invest Ladysmith mobile-friendly website, as well as a supporting Ladysmith Heritage and Investment App.
HAVE YOU TRIED THE HERITAGE APP?
Download a poster for your window... click here
All in the palm of your hand or at the click of a button, the new Ladysmith Heritage and Investment App is a snapshot of our rich cultural and industrial history and the prosperous future we are building together. The investment side of the app is an extension of the new website and allows users to explore the different commercial development areas in and around Ladysmith, as well as uncover opportunities for those interested in doing business here. The heritage side of the app offers a series of trails with multiple points of interest that you can explore at your leisure to uncover information about the town’s history and its people, from the earliest Indigenous inhabitants, through to the present day.


To learn about Ladysmith’s history on the go, download the Tourism Ladysmith Heritage Trails & Opportunities app on Apple App store or Google Play store. Select a walk and your phone will notify you when you are near a heritage spot so you can read more about it.
GET THE APP TODAY!

Keep your Business information current in the Ladysmith-Open for Business Online Directory
The Directory highlights local businesses that are open, have adjusted hours and any practices they are implementing to keep themselves and their customers safe.  

Local Businesses can update their hours & services by clicking on the button below.
CVRD: Housing Needs Assessment Questionnaire Open (until the end of the month).

Is your front door now, your front door forever? Your needs shift and so do your housing needs. Take a short 5-10 min questionnaire. Tell us what you need tomorrow, today.
BC CHAMBERS Support First Steps in Province’s Economic Recovery Plan
"We appreciate that government sees this as the next step, not the final step, in the road to recovery.” says Dan Baxter, Director of Policy and Government Relations.
Today, the provincial government shared details of its Economic Recovery Plan, Stronger BC. In addition to broad consultation and recommendations, the Stronger BC Plan took into consideration the BC Chamber of Commerce Economic Recovery Submission, which urged big thinking needed to keep BC competitive, innovative, and inclusive.
“We’re pleased to see the Stronger BC Plan address some of the BC Chamber’s key recommendations.” says Dan Baxter, Director of Policy Development and Government & Stakeholder Relations at the BC Chamber of Commerce. “PST on machinery & equipment was on our members' minds, so this is a significant win for our network to help boost productivity, and the SME recovery grant, if targeted right, does help by recognizing that small business needs relief not more debt. We appreciate that government sees this as the next step, not the final step, in the road to recovery.” 
Key wins for the BC Chamber Network include: Read More
THE CONSULTING HIVE: A Colony of Expertise.
In response to the many immediate and ongoing challenges faced by businesses adjusting to this pandemic environment, a network of consultants, advisors, and specialists has been created to provide timely advice and facilitate connections. The Consulting Hive Team recognizes that the various government financial and assistance programs are often not enough to truly empower business owners and managers to respond, adapt, and forge ahead sustainably. 
 
The Consulting Hive is a way to harness the knowledge of experts across the Province to offer a centralized, holistic resource for the everyday, long-term and emergency needs of small and medium-size BC businesses. 
 
They provide guidance in three primary areas: 
  • COVID-19 Support – government programs, regulations, pivot opportunities 
  • Business Advising – entrepreneurship, planning, expanding markets 
  • Transition and Closure – valuation, listing, negotiation 
 
Their goal is to provide the right support at the right time to ensure the best chance of success. This sometimes means a short session or two to overcome immediate hurdles, or ongoing longer-term advice and support, including referrals to other existing networks and programs such as:  
  • Venture Connect 
  • Export Navigator 
  • Innovation Island 
  • Tourism Resiliency Network 
 
The Consulting Hive is here to answer all inquiries until March 31, 2021, (or until funding runs out) and our services are free of charge . Referrals are easy – simply direct prospective clients to our website, theconsultinghive.ca, for more information and to be matched up with a business advisor. 
BC CHAMBER MINDREADER SURVEY...
Work-Integrated Learning in the BC Workforce 
Thank you for taking this short survey on Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in the BC economy.
The purpose of this survey is to identify ways to better support businesses in COVID recovery and beyond by gaining an understanding of challenges and opportunities employers face in accessing student talent – whether through co-operative education, by hiring apprentices, engaging students in practicums, or other types of Work-Integrated Learning 
The survey will take about 7-8 minutes to complete and closes on Friday, September 25th. No personal information will be gathered.
 
All respondents who complete the survey will be entered to win a $500 MasterCard gift certificate.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT TOOLKIT FOR WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS:
COVID-19
Psychological health & wellness is increasingly being recognized as a key priority in the workplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only exacerbated concerns around employees’ physical wellbeing, it has also significantly impacted their psychological wellbeing.

Personal health and finance concerns, job security concerns, and reduced social interaction are creating anxieties in the workforce like never before. A lack of understanding of the issues at hand, and the resources available, often makes it difficult for employers to address these concerns before they cause lasting damage.

go2HR is pleased to support a new Psychological Support Toolkit for Workers and Employers: COVID-19  which was developed in partnership between the BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) and workplace mental health expert Diana Vissers, Work to Wellness.
 
Within this FREE and comprehensive toolkit, users will have access to:

  • a 5-Part virtual summit bringing together industry experts and creating an intimate dialogue on their recommendations in light of COVID-19
  • information packs, checklists, and other resources designed to better equip you or your co-workers to mitigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19
  • an online discussion forum where you can offer support, encouragement, and share your experiences with managing your stress and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic

For more information and to access the toolkit, click the button below.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
Q & A Sessions with CRA
Various Dates & Times
With the extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) until December, The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is hosting interactive question and answer sessions for eligible employers on the CEWS. These sessions will respond to general questions about the CEWS and provide resources needed to apply.

Session #7: September 23, 2020: 10:00 AM
Session #8: September 25, 2020: 1:00 PM
Session #9: September 28, 2020: 11:00 AM
Session #10: September 30, 2020: 10:00 AM

If you are interested in participating in one of these sessions, please email
Matthew Hohnsbehn  with the session # and a confirmation email will be sent containing the WebEx link and other important information. 
So. Let’s keep things REAL.
Digital Economy Response Program DER3
Work [and life as we know it] has been interrupted.
FULL RESTART.
This program is here to HELP. It’s a hyperlocal BACK-TO-BUSINESS initiative for businesses who want to consider entering or expanding in the digital economy.

14th Annual ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit Goes Digital
 The 14th Anniversary ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit is scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, October 27, 28 & 29, 2020.

The Economic Summit is an annual gathering of business, community and government leaders sharing ideas, asking questions, networking, learning about new initiatives, and exploring opportunities. Anyone is welcomed to register and participate in the broad range of sessions which revolve around VIEA’s core principles of collaboration to add vitality to the Vancouver Island economy: READ MORE...
SMALL BUSINESS BC
  • EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS | NETWORKING | EXHIBITS
Build. Grow. Thrive. – Virtual Event
Small Business BC, alongside our partners at Envision Financial, is pleased to announce the return of an event that will bring our community together to learn, network and share their experiences – Build. Grow. Thrive. Read More...
BUY LOCAL COWICHAN
#CowichanStrong invites all Cowichan businesses to be showcased on Buy Local Cowichan. 
FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
We sincerely hope that you, your families, your employees, coworkers and all around you are safe and healthy in these extraordinary times. The Ladysmith Chamber has worked hard to monitor the many announcements related to federal, provincial and local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and make information pertinent to business readily available to you on our website, newsletters and Facebook posts. We have also tried our best to monitor how your businesses have adjusted to the current crisis to make this information available to the public through our Facebook page. (If you have not already Liked and Followed our Page, you may need to do so in order to tag us.)
CHAMBER PARTNERSHIPS
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is proud to work closely with the BC Chamber and local area Chambers
33 Roberts Street, PO Box 598 Ladysmith,
BC V9G 1A4 Canada
250-245-2112
Hours: Monday - Friday 10am-4pm