Your Weekly Tune Up
City of Medicine Hat Substation-11 application denied
City officials received word on June 12, 2023 that the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) has denied the application for a new substation in the southwest area of Medicine Hat (known as MHS-11).
In 2019, the City of Medicine Hat began the process of site evaluation and related cost estimations for a new substation in the southwest area of Medicine Hat to meet growing electrical needs. On June 1, 2022, the City of Medicine Hat filed a regulatory application for approval to construct the substation on either a preferred location (near Highway 3 in Medicine Hat's south) or an alternate location (near South Boundary Road at the entrance to Desert Blume).
The AUC denied the application on the grounds that neither site is in the public interest. The regulatory process included a public hearing which began on March 13, 2023 where the AUC reviewed the application and submissions from three intervening parties.
The decision will significantly delay the ability to increase a secure power supply in the city's south, where electricity constraints may impede development. Development applications will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis and the City will continue to work collaboratively with the development community to minimize the impacts of the decision. The process of gaining regulatory approvals and establishing a new substation can take five to seven years. The full AUC report can be viewed at: Https://www.auc.ab.ca/regulatory_documents/decisions/. Read the release online.
City simplifies market pod rentals at Towne Square
The City has restructured its market pod rental procedures at Towne Square with the goal of boosting business opportunities and improving accessibility. The new, simpler process helps to reduce obstacles and offers cheaper rates to encourage a variety of businesses to utilize the Towne Square venue to showcase their products and services. Market pods at Towne Square are available to small retailers, artisans, artists, and non-profit or charitable organizations and can be rented for $50 per week from Wednesday - Sunday. For more information on how to rent a market pod at Towne Square, please visit: www.medicinehat.ca/townesquare
Destination Canada Launches New Tourism Corridor Strategy and Highway 3 made the list
The Sustainable Journey from Prairies to Pacific leverages Highway 3 which is a key interprovincial corridor linking the large urban hubs of Southern Alberta and British Columbia's lower mainland. This corridor will integrate the existing key strategies and experience themes in Alberta and British Columbia to produce a collection of potential investment opportunities, as well as infrastructure enhancements to grow demand and manage visitation in the long-term. Find out more: https://www.destinationcanada.com/en/news/destination-canada-launches-new-tourism-corridor-strategy.
Canada opens new economic immigration streams
Through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), Canada is tapping into talent that is too often overlooked by creating more opportunities for skilled refugees and other displaced individuals to immigrate and to use their education, training and experience to continue their careers in Canada. Candidates can continue to apply through existing regional EMPP economic pathways. Learn more and Apply online
Advocacy in Action
Hiring Intentions Survey
The ACC network launched its latest Alberta Perspectives Survey, and has partnered with industry partners and the Government of Alberta to identify hiring challenges employers may be facing and answer important questions like: Do businesses have access to the appropriate skills and talent? What challenges do employers face when hiring workers? The Survey will take 4 minutes and results will be publicly available in the #ABPerspectives insight community Hub. Take our survey before the June 30th deadline.
https://www.albertaperspectives.ca/c/r/ab-hisjune2023-chambers
Next Level Events
The Medicine Hat JazzFest is celebrating its 27th anniversary from, June 19 to 25.
There are lots of money-saving options to take part in JazzFeset this year! There are free concerts every day from Tuesday, June 20 to Saturday, June 24 at 2:00 PM on the front lawn of the Esplanade. Everything from a participatory drum circle, to Winnipeg power band Apollo Suns to a jazz jam! There are also two free shows on Thursday and Friday, June 22 and 23 at the Strachan Road Servus Credit Union with local band, The Johnny Javier Quartet.
The Festival Pass gets you over $400 worth of tickets for just $189.50, and includes every event at JazzFest. There are ticket combo packages that include back-to back shows for a savings of $10 on the regular price. There are also three shows for school children at just $4/child.
Winner of an Alberta Chamber of Commerce Business Award in Arts and Culture and two Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in tourism, the Medicine Hat JazzFest is now an established part of the cultural, tourism and economic life of Medicine Hat.
Visit the web site www.medicinehatjazzfest.com for full details. All tickets at www.tixx.ca.
Learn from the Experts is THIS WEEK!
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is putting on "Learn from the Experts", an event where businesses are welcome to come learn, chat, ask questions, eat and drink! This is for people who are thinking about starting a business, own a business less than 2 years old, or anyone who owns a business and could use a little advice.
There will be speed-dating style one-on-one time with all the experts and an opportunity to hear from Community Futures Entre-Corp and APEX Alberta about the supports available in Medicine Hat. Come have a beer and learn how to make your business thrive!
Join us June 22nd, 2023 at Medicine Hat Brewing Company Inc @ 3:30-5:30pm. Stay after for the band that is playing as part of the Medicine Hat Jazz Fest starting at 6:00pm!
Enriching Your Business
Fuelling the Business Community
New Members!
We would like to welcome Bare Skin Co, On Side Restoration, and Palliser Primary Care Network to the Chamber Family!
We continually look forward to helping our members during their business journey and wish each the best in all future endeavors. We are extremely happy to have such amazing members, and are very glad that we can serve a part in that journey! Keep your eye out for more new member posts moving forward!
Safety Buzz Campus Recognized at the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) proudly hosted the 32nd annual Alberta Business Awards of Distinction (ABAD) on the evening of June 15th. This esteemed event recognized and celebrated the exceptional achievements of organizations and entrepreneurs who have made remarkable contributions to Alberta's business landscape.
ABAD 2023 brought together industry leaders, esteemed guests, and influential figures to honour the recipients in thirteen distinguished categories with Safety Buzz taking home the Small Business Awards of Distinction. The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce congratulates the Safety Buzz team on this prestigious award. View the full announcement online
The 2023 Southeast Alberta Vital Signs survey is now live!
Please help the Community Foundation circulate this far and wide! The survey will be open until the end of August and the report will be launched in October! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHvi-T8jeQNewyenvWzEj8gxVTtsEGHeARWOzHWpuyJ75uTQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Fill Up On Funding
TELUS Is Searching for Game-changing Business Owners
Apply for your chance to win $125,000 in funding, advertising and technology to fuel your business growth in TELUS's #StandWithOwners program. Since 2020, TELUS has committed $3.5 million to #StandWithOwners, providing funding, technology and recognition to help them thrive in a digital world. Application deadline is September 6. Apply today
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