Hello, Rebecca

September is here, and so is back-to-school, and back to events. We have a full roster of events on tap for September - take a look below, and come join us!

We know the Labour Market crunch is affecting everyone, and it's top of mind for us, too. Creativity and innovation are critical to finding solutions - we're working with The Niagara Workforce Planning Board on their Engaging SMEs project, and there's still time to join the first Design Labs session next week. Contact Rebecca for more information about this unique and innovative approach.

The Municipal Election is less than two months away, and we want to know what issues are important for your business. Check out our Municipal Election Question Portal, submit your questions, and join us at The Casablanca Hotel on Thursday, October 6 to engage with your local candidates. (Cogeco YourTV Niagara will be taping the Mayoral Candidate debate portion of the event, so if you're interested in some great exposure for your business, we'd love to chat with you about event sponsorship...contact us.)

Speaking of issues that are top of mind...check out our new Taking Your Pulse section below. One question, multiple choice answers, 30 seconds. Engage with us!

-Grimsby Chamber Team

Wed, Sep 14 - Health & Wellness

Lunch & Learn (in-person)

Kinetic Elements Dance and Tammy Snow-Johnston Fitness are teaming up to share some easy-to-implement Health and Wellness tips to keep you moving and reduce stress every day.

Register Here

Wed, Sep 28

Employee Attraction & Retention

Lunch & Learn (virtual)

Employee Attraction and Retention are top of mind for many of us right now. Join the three West Niagara Chambers as we hear from Essential HR and Garrett Group to learn ways YOU can attract the talent you're looking for, and keep them happy in the long run.

Register Here

In the meantime, you can read some tips here from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services on finding and keeping employees.

Thurs, Sep 29

BA5s are Back!

We know you’ve been missing these great networking events, and we thought it fitting to bookend the pandemic with an event at the Library and Art Gallery. Our last BA5, just before COVID hit, showcased these two incredible institutions, so it made sense that our first BA5 back included this important community connection.

Register Here

Thurs, Oct 6

Meet Your Candidates

We know how important it is to be connected to the issues that shape our community. Submit your questions here, and join us at The Casablanca Hotel to engage with candidates in advance of the October 24 municipal elections.

(Looking for exposure for your business? Become an event sponsor!)

We want to know what's on your mind as we start September. 

Take 30 seconds and answer ONE question.

Grow Your Business Online 

The Government of Canada and Ontario Chamber of Commerce have partnered together to deliver Government of Canada grants to small businesses that want to grow their business online.

To learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and to register, click here.

Questions about the Canada Digital Adoption Program? Contact the OCC's CDAP team.

DOUBLE WSIB HEALTH & SAFETY REBATES

The WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence program (HSEp) is a voluntary incentive program that rewards businesses for investing in health and safety. It provides businesses of all sizes and health and safety maturity with the building blocks to improve workplace health and safety.

The program allows you to focus on the health and safety issues that matter most to you. There are 36 health and safety topics available to choose from, and for every topic you complete, you'll earn a rebate on your WSIB premiums.

Through the program, you'll receive financial rebates on your WSIB premiums in recognition of your efforts to complete health and safety topics. The size of the rebates WSIB will send out will vary from business to business. The minimum rebate for each topic is $1,000, and the maximum is $50,000 (or up to 100 percent of the amount a business paid for the prior year's WSIB premiums).

But, for a limited time only, smaller businesses (1-99 employees) will receive double the rebate for every program topic they complete up until December 31, 2022. Plus, WSIB will give smaller businesses enrolling in the program before December 31, 2022, an immediate $1000 just for signing up. That's on top of the rebates you'll get for completing topics! In some cases, you can get back more from the WSIB than you paid in premiums!

Don't miss out on these great financial incentives that WSIB is offering. To learn more, you can watch this 20 min pre-recorded video or visit the WSIB's website at www.wsib.on.ca/healthandsafety

Carbon Neutral and Net Zero – What Do They Mean?

Whether you are buying a coffee, booking a vacation or making investments, the jargon around sustainability can be confusing and overwhelming, making it hard to know if you are making the right choices.

The World Economic Forum has just published an article that looks at some of these terms and digs deeper to investigate whether they remain meaningful tools in the fight against climate change - and consider whether new words are needed to help us in our efforts to save the planet. 

Loans of Up to $50,000 to Women Entrepreneurs

and Business Owners

Last week, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, announced that Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) will be providing loans of up to $50,000 to women entrepreneurs and business owners this fall through the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund.

WEOC will deliver the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund through its regional loan fund partners. They will work with women entrepreneurs at every stage of the application process and deliver top-quality wraparound business support, including helping applicants with the development of viable business plans and providing advisory services, training and loan aftercare. 

Seven Low-Cost Ways to Lower Your Business’ Carbon Footprint

There are multiple reasons why Canadian business owners are seeking low-cost ways to cut emissions, from reducing operating costs and lessening their environmental impact, to elevating their reputation in the eyes of customers and employees.

Our friends at BDC have come up with ideas for SMEs to lower your carbon footprint. 

There's still time to join the Niagara Workforce Planning Board's Engaging SMEs project.

Hiring and retaining newcomer talent is an important way to diversify your workforce for high performance outcomes, and address the labour market crunch facing nearly every industry.

Reach out to Rebecca for more details, and be part of this unique design labs project that is being rolled out in just six communities across Canada - and Grimsby is one of them! (First session is next week.)

Let's innovate together!

Prepare now: 9 steps to get ready for a fall COVID surge.

With labour in short supply, workplaces can’t afford to ignore any threat to employee health and productivity. Start taking these steps now.  

Maximize Your Membership with Lenovo!

Lenovo Labor Day Deals are here!

Through 9/11/22, members receive exclusive discounts up to 68% on Lenovo’s huge portfolio of award-winning tech, as well as top brands like Fitbit wearables, Logitech headsets, and more.

Shop Deals: www.lenovo.com/ca/en/chambers

Call: 1-888-315-7408 (M-F: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET, Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET)

Be sure to check the website often – special offers change frequently. 

The Moto Social is coming to Grimsby! Tuesday, September 13 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Simply Moto is hosting this free social occasion, organized by the Moto Social Hamilton team, and it's open to everyone, bike or no bike. Join the friendly, low-key crowd and bring the good vibes!