Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce logo
Serving Stratford, St. Marys, Township of Perth East, Township of Perth South, and the Municipality of West Perth
 
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NewsMarch Chamber News 
 
March is a month of baited breaths as we all wait for the Federal and Provincial budgets.  Both jurisdictions have intimated more spending on certain programs, tax adjustments for small business and continued focus on jobs.  The added uncertainty of NAFTA renegotiation may be somewhat more subdued as a result of the Prime Minister's successful visit to Washington and the statement from President Trump that NAFTA may only need "tweaking" with regards to Canada.  The possibility is still present that more extensive infrastructure spending in the US and renewed US consumer confidence will have a beneficial effect on Canadian exports, which would be positive for Stratford & District.
 
Our Chamber in concert with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has recommended to the Ontario Government that the upcoming budget prioritize the reduction of obstacles to business competitiveness, meet the challenge of mounting input costs, such as electricity prices, and continue to promote innovation and regulatory reforms in a technology driven economy.
 
The day following the introduction of the Federal Budget in the House, we will be hosting a breakfast with BDO. Bill Braun will provide a review of tax updates and implications contained in the budget.  We will let you know more about that event when the date for the budget is announced.
 
In our area, hiring remains strong and new businesses are opening.  In January, a new chick hatchery, Trillium Hatchery, was announced - a $20 million investment, 65,000 sq. ft. building on Wright Boulevard with groundbreaking in the spring, which will see a state-of-the-art operation utilizing innovative technology.  This again reinforces our region's prominent role in emerging technologies in a range of sectors, this time agriculture.
 
A reminder of several upcoming events.  Your Chamber will again host the State of the City address by Mayor Dan Mathieson on April 13th at the Stratford Country Club.  This is always a well-attended event and provides insight into how far we have come and a vision for the upcoming year.  On April 6th, the Annual General Meeting of the Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce will be held at the Queen's Inn. Tickets for both events are available through the Chamber website or office.
 
Finally, we look forward to sharing the official Business Excellence Awards nominees in next month's newsletter. The winners will be announced at the BEA Gala on May 4th.  Again this year, the event will be a wonderful evening, so please plan to attend.

Brad Beatty
General Manager  

Welcome New Members
Please take a moment to welcome these new members to the Chamber. Check out their pages and show your support for local business!

Events


Want to present an award at this year's BEA Gala?

We have ONE spot left for a Gold Partner. Call or email us today for details.
519-273-5250, manager@stratforddistrictchamber.com.

This event always sells out FAST. If you want to guarantee that you get tickets before they go on sale to the public, consider being a silver partner. Book by March 10th to get your company's name printed on the ticket.

March's Business After Five is at
The Bruce Hotel
Wednesday, March 8th, 5:15-7:00

The Bruce Hotel is excited to welcome the business community to the March Business After 5. Since opening its doors in May 2014, The Bruce Hotel has quickly become a destination for those coming to Stratford for one of the many fantastic events, on business, or looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The Bruce Hotel offers unparalleled service in the heart of Stratford. The staff of The Bruce Hotel and Executive Chef Arron Carley look forward to hosting Chamber members and providing tours of their beautiful hotel, restaurant and meeting spaces.
Join the staff and board of the Chamber and the The Bruce Hotel for some prizes, hors d'oeuvres, drinks and lively networking. Chamber members can attend for FREE!
Click here to register
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
Life Lessons with Ginny Dybenko
International Women's Day breakfast with 
the CFDC Chamber Ladies Learning Group, the Zonta Club of Stratford, and the Stratford Perth Centre for Business
Friday, March 3rd
6:30 am at the Stratford Country Club

SORRY YOU MISSED THIS ONE, BUT THERE ARE STILL TWO MORE WOMEN'S DAY EVENTS YOU CAN ATTEND!
 
Wednesday March 8th, 7-9pm, hosted by the Stratford AC & UW-Stratford Campus, Kelly Hoey is one of the most sought after speakers, a tech investor and been named one of the 100 most influential women on twitter, and one of the 20 most Awesome People in the NY Tech Scene - Forbes has lauded her "1 of 5 Women Changing the World of VC/Entrepreneurship" 

Click to Register for this free event  

Wednesday March 8th, 5pm at Revival House, Celebrate social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women with the Multicultural Society of Perth Huron! $30 includes a 3 course family-style dinner.
Advance tickets can be purchased at Revival House or Molly Blooms at www.visitperth.ca, 519-273-3424. Proceeds will benefit with Multicultural Society.


Spotlight on our Corporate Partner: 
 Re/Max a-b Realty Ltd.
 
RE/MAX a-b Realty was recently named Stratford's Favourite Real Estate Brokerage in a poll by the Stratford City Gazette.
 
Celebrating over 40 years serving Perth and Huron Counties, RE/MAX a-b Realty has now grown to include Oxford County. Employing 62 realtors and six administrators in five locations, RE/MAX offers services for all real estate needs, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and leasing.
 
RE/MAX a-b Realty particularly shines in their community engagement. They were the highest volume contributor to the Children's Miracle Network for this region in 2016. As an official Miracle Office, a portion of all home sales goes towards the charity. Their Charity Golf Classic tournament has raised over $175,000 for Stratford and area charities since its inception 11 years ago; and RE/MAX employees actively participate in such causes as the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake, The Heart and Stroke Foundation's Big Bike Ride, and various initiatives for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 
 
With their commitment to the community and local causes, it's easy to see why RE/MAX a-b Realty is Stratford's Favourite Real Estate Office/Brokerage.
 
Find them online at www.stratfordhomes.ca

13th Annual State of the City Address with
Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson
Thursday, April 13th, 6:45am, 
Stratford Country Club

Join us as Mayor Dan Mathieson discusses the upcoming goals, future direction and planning challenges that the City of Stratford is facing and working towards addressing in its next fiscal year.
A question and answer period will follow the Mayor's address.  A full buffet breakfast is included in the ticket price.
memberevents
  
The Rotary Club of Stratford is pleased to announce their 13th Annual Charitable Golf Tournament will be held Wednesday, June 14th at the Stratford Country Club. They have appreciated the great support they have received in the past from sponsors. Please visit www.rotarystratford.com  for more information on sponsorship opportunities and golf registration or contact Ken Nesbitt, Stratford Rotary Golf Chair at 519-271-5279. Deadline is June 1st.


Stakeholder Meeting #2
City of Stratford Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review 

Dear Stakeholder:
 
The City of Stratford is preparing a new Comprehensive Zoning By-law which will replace the current Zoning By-law No. 201-2000.  As a leader in the community you/your organization has the insight needed to ensure this new Zoning By-law reflects the needs of the community.  
You are invited to attend a a second stakeholder meeting on March 9, 2017 at the Stratford Rotary Complex (Community Hall B), 353 McCarthy Road West, Stratford from 3:00-5:00pm. Please provide your RSVP if you plan to attend the Stakeholder meeting to Jeff Leunissen (jleunissen@stratfordcanada.ca) at (519) 271-0250 Ext. 221 by March 2, 2017.



PF Solutions is hosting a series of computer workshops between now and June.
 
SRG helps people find job opportunities where they can grow. We give them the skills and knowledge they need to be great and match them with top companies looking to build productive workforces.

For example, we are currently accepting applications for an experienced full-time Esthetician and hairstylist, and a part-time hairstyling apprentice. For details about these positions contact SRG at Stratford@srghr.com with your updated resume.

Check out our blog for work and life tips, tricks and options. www.SRGhr.com/blog
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Phone: 519.273.5250
Fax: 519.273.2229

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Thank you to our corporate partners:

St. Marys logo
St. Marys logo
Stratford Hyundai logo
St. Marys logo
St. Marys logo
St. Marys logo


Stratford Hyundai logo