A Note From The Board of Directors

The Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce 2024 Board of Directors extends heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support. We deeply appreciate your dedication through membership, active participation, and generous sponsorship, which play a vital role in sustaining and fostering the growth of our thriving local business community.

We wish you, your families, and your friends a

very Merry Christmas and a successful New Year.

Chamber President's Report for 2024

2024 Chamber Wrap Up and 2025 Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce Memberships

Chamber Office

The Chamber Board of Directors continues to meet in person and by Zoom meetings. Our next Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 21, 2025, beginning at 8:00 a.m.in the

Town of Renfrew Upstairs Boardroom.

127 Raglan St. S., Renfrew, ON K7V 1P8 Phone: 613-432-4848 ext. 181 Cell # 613-717-0395

info@renfrewareachamber.ca www.renfrewareachamber.ca

The 2025 Chamber Membership Renewal invoices have been issued by email. If you did not receive your renewal invoice, please contact Gail at the Chamber office.

tel. (613) 432-4848 ext. 181

info@renfrewareachamber.ca

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This year, guided by our Strategic Working Plan, we have enhanced our membership offerings to deliver even greater value. A notable addition is our new Member-to-Member program, designed to boost engagement and benefits for our members. Thank you to the following members for offering a Member-to-Member discount!

BICN Printing & Design Boutique - 15% off in house services, some conditions apply please see In store for details.

Gourleys Outdoors is offering 10% off hunting and fishing supplies, some conditions apply see in store for details.

Personalize it is offering 10% off. Some conditions apply, see in store for details.

Renfrew Burnstown Castle is offering 5% off lumber, and 10% off all other products, some conditions apply, ie sale items.

myFM - details coming soon.

To learn more about becoming a Business or Executive Member, please contact the Chamber office at info@renfrewareachamber.ca or call 613-432-4848 ext. 181.

Congratulations to Brent Villamere! Brent's name was drawn live on Tuesday December 17th during the Board of Directors meeting. A big thank you to everyone who purchased a Chamber sticker and to our incredible Chamber members for generously donating the prizes. The next Chamber Sticker Draw is set for June 2025, and prizes are already starting to roll in!

Live Draw

The Calcutta Cooler Bag full of prizes for the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce Sticker draw keeps growing!

Sneak Peak at what you could win

if you purchase a Chamber sticker!

Gourley’s Outdoors - $300.00 Gift Cards & Koozies

Gourley’s Outdoors  - Calcutta Cooler Bag - $150.00

Renfrew Burnstown Castle – Milwaukee Heated Jacket

Renfrew Medical Esthetics - $200.00 Gift Certificate

Renfrew Wolves Hockey Organization – Game Tickets

Downtown Renfrew BIA - $100.00 Gift Card

Town of Renfrew – ¾ Zippered Sweater

Ontrac Employment Resource Services - Gift Bag

Renfrew Public Library - Four Novels

Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce Member Benefits

Did you know that as a member of the Chamber has its rewards!

Discounts from Esso, Freight and Group Insurance are a few of them. Contact the Chamber office for more information.

See below for some information on a couple of benefits that are available to Chamber Members.

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Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan



Learn More about the Chambers Plan Group Insurance

Welcome to Canada's #1

Group Benefits Plan

Exclusive Group Benefits for Chambers Members



https://www.chamberplan.ca/

Chambers Plan Employee Benefits

Chambers Plan is the #1 employee benefits plan for Canadian small businesses,

and it’s offered as an exclusive benefit for our chamber members.



More than 30,000 small to midsize businesses choose Chambers Plan to protect their employees with comprehensive group benefits. It's built for chamber members with 1-50 employees, including self-employed entrepreneurs, home-based businesses and farms.

Learn More

For more information or a free quote, feel free to contact

our designated advisor Heather Allin.



Heather Allin, CEBS

Broker

Email: heather@doucettinsurance.ca

Phone: 613-253-2410

      www.chamberplan.ca https://doucettinsurance.ca/ info@doucettinsurance.ca

You can also contact the Chamber office for more information regarding this plan. info@renfrewareachamber.ca

Compliant Policy Manual Done for You!

A 75-page HR Policy Manual from HR Covered

valued at $1500—it's yours at no cost!

Schedule a brief consultation to get your manual!

BOOK APPOINTMENT



Newsletter – December 2024 – HR Covered

Follow the link to view the services offered to our members.

You will have access to Newsletters, Blogs, and Webinars.

HR Covered Services

Partnerships, Funding, Events and Seminars

We excited to launch our new Downtown Renfrew BIA Corporate Gift Card Program.

Introducing a great way to reward your employees, whether you’re thanking employees or strengthening relationships, our gift cards demonstrate your appreciation, not only to the receiver, but also to your local businesses.

The program allows you to reward your employees with the only gift card that can be used exclusively at over 50 Downtown Renfrew businesses.

You can purchase your gift cards at https://gohello.ca/ybesvc

If you would like more information regarding the Corporate Program, please contact Wanda at

613-432 4848 ext185 or email info@downtownrenfrewbia.ca

Community Futures Development is please to annouce their new Community Development Officer, Michele Gagon. Follow the link to read more:

Please see the attached announcement regarding our new Community Development Officer. Michèle Gagnon will join the RCCFDC team effective January 6th, 2025.

Enterprise Renfrew County is excited to announce a variety of upcoming free webinars happening in the new year.

For more information on each webinar and to register,

please visit: https://www.enterpriserenfrewcounty.com/workshops-events. 

January 16, 10:30am to 11:30 – Succession Planning with BizBridge

January 21, 10am to 11am – Découvrez les services d’appui aux entrepreneur-e-s francophone de la FGA

January 30, 10:30am to 12pm – Sole Proprietor Tax Essentials

February 13, 10:30am to 12pm – HST Prep for Your Business

RESOURSES

The Ottawa Valley Business Hive, located within Renfrew Town Hall at 127 Raglan Street South, Renfrew, serves as a central hub for valuable resources accessible to businesses in Renfrew and the surrounding area. Our office partners include the Downtown Renfrew Business Improvement Area (BIA), Enterprise Renfrew County, the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), and the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce.

For information, services, and more, feel free to reach out to any of our business partners:

• Downtown Renfrew BIA: info@downtownrenfrewbia.ca
• Enterprise Renfrew County: ercinfo@countyofrenfrew.on.ca
• Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC): info@rccfdc.org
• Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce: info@renfrewareachamber.ca

Additionally, office and boardroom spaces are available for rent based on availability, with updated costs reflected in the Town of Renfrew Fees and Charges Schedule.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce - Access to up-to-date information that affect Canadian Businesses. Visit the Canadian Chamber of Commerce website.. http://www.chamber.ca

Did you know that membership with Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce has its rewards. Through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, members are eligible for discounts with Esso Esso Fuel Savings, Chamber Members Save Big on Shipping and have a variety of Resources. Programs and Services

Find out more about how we make decisions by reviewing the Operational policy manual, Employer Classification Manual, and Adjudication support documents. You’ll also find useful forms and fact sheets on a variety of topics, including benefit payments, and rights and responsibilities. Follow the link for access to these resources.

Resources for Businesses

Did you know since 1901, the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce has been an active and progressive non-profit voluntary organization promoting the civic, commercial, industrial and tourist development progress of this great community.

Did you know that the Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce is composed of the Township of Admaston / Bromley, Township of Greater Madawaska, Horton Township and the Town of Renfrew. We have representatives of each municipality on our Board of Directors. For more information for each municipality please follow the links below to access the

Township of Greater Madawaska Horton Township Township of Admaston / Bromley Town of Renfrew