Your Weekly Tune Up
Building Alberta's regional airport network
Alberta's government is investing $1.13 million to support the development of regional airports across the province. This investment will facilitate the growth of the province's regional airport network, enabling the seamless movement of people and goods, and creating more opportunities for municipalities and local industry to thrive. The Medicine Hat Regional Airport will be receiving the following: Feasibility and Business Case for Airport Growth and Development of $150,000.
Interest-free limit of the Advance Payments Program increases for 2024
Agriculture Canada recently announced the interest-free limit of the Advance Payments Program has been set at $250,000 for the 2024 program year. This is the portion of advances on which the Government of Canada pays the interest on behalf of producers.
This change will save approximately 11,950 participating producers an additional $4,916 in interest costs on average, for a total savings of up to $58.7 million.
NEW Brooks-Newell Region section
Keep scrolling through this newsletter towards the bottom to see our added section targeted toward Brooks-Newell news!
While relevant information is still dispersed throughout the newsletter, this new section will provide you with targeted news and updates specifically tailored to the Brooks-Newell Region.
Advocacy in Action
Expanding physician training across Alberta
Alberta's government is investing $224.8 million through Budget 2024 to help train more physicians in rural areas.
Rural communities across Alberta are facing a shortage of physicians, forcing rural Albertans to travel long distances to seek medical care. The government is working with post-secondary institutions to train more physicians in rural areas because students who learn in rural communities are more likely to stay and work in them after completing their training.
2024 growing season: Minister Sigurdson
Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson issued the following statement on how Alberta's government is preparing for the upcoming growing season:
"Alberta's agriculture industry puts food on tables, creates jobs and contributes to our province's economy, growth and prosperity.
"As we prepare for what may be another dry growing season, our government is taking steps to support producers by ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to succeed."
Next Level Events
Construction Prompt Payment and Adjudication Seminar
When: Thursday, April 18, 2024 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
The seminar, hosted as a joint initiative between the Medicine Hat Construction Association and Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, will provide current information on construction adjudication, introduced to Alberta in August 2022 under the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act (PPCLA) and the Prompt Payment and Adjudication Regulation (the Regulation).
The focus will be to enhance awareness on some procedural fundamentals, the benefits of using adjudication, the operations of ARCANA (AB) (currently Alberta's only appointed nominating authority), and some suggestions regarding possible amendments of the PPCLA and its regulations. Check out more details and register here
Business, Brainstorming & Beers
Join the Chamber at locations around Medicine Hat to discuss whatever needs discussing at your business. Whether it's business growth, workforce challenges, new business opportunities, regulatory hurdles, or anything else, we are all about finding solutions. Come have a drink with us and solve the world's problems!
Thursday, April 18th @ 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Moxie's Grill & Bar
Registration here
Art Room Gallery at RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate - Member Evening
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate and The Art Room, invites you to a member-exclusive evening of fine art created by local artists, networking, food & drink.Â
Visit the new Art Room gallery at RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate and meet the four contemporary southern Alberta Artists who make up this group. This collaboration is new to Medicine Hat and sure to be a destination for art lovers, local business supporters, and visitors to our City. The Artists will be in attendance along with RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate Realtors.
Chamber of Commerce Luncheon: Premier Danielle Smith
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a luncheon and presentation/ Q&A with Premier Danielle Smith on May 2nd at 11:00am - 1:30pm. Register here.
Event Agenda:Â
11:00 - Doors open and networking
11:30 - Welcome & Introductions
11:45 - Buffet Lunch served
12:15 - Premier Danielle Smith: Presentation followed by Q & A
1:00 - Closing Comments
Enriching Your Business
There's a reason Chambers Plan is Canada's #1 plan.
Contact JoAnne Letkeman,
Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor,
403-504-2166 ext 1.
Fueling the Business Community
• NEW MEMBERS •
We would like to welcome three businesses to the Chamber Family! Pamper My Senses Wellness Day Spa | TheraPinay Massage | Connect First Credit Union
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!
Chamber of Commerce Board Applications
As part of the Board of Director's succession planning for the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, nominations are held each year to actively seek out dedicated, community-minded individuals whose common goals and principles coincide with the Chamber of Commerce and the organization's mandate. The Board of Directors assist in stimulating a strengthened and vibrant economy in our region through our connections, support & influence and help further our mission in the Medicine Hat & District area.
We are currently looking for energetic, enthusiastic and progressive Board members who have the desire to sustain and grow a strong business environment in our community. Successful candidates should be prepared to assist the Chamber of Commerce in accomplishing its goals and objectives and be willing to contribute to formulating policies for the betterment of our business community and advocating for those positions on behalf of our region.Â
In addition, we encourage individuals who are interested in becoming involved in the Chamber of Commerce to volunteer by sitting on a committee or task force as a way to gain experience and become familiar with our organization and our mandate prior to becoming a Board of Director.
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with the Chamber of Commerce, please take a moment to fill out our Volunteer Form.
To ensure the Chamber maintains a fair and democratic process, we rely on and encourage our members to provide us with potential nominees for our Board, which are then elected by our members. If you or someone you know is interested in working with the Chamber of Commerce Board to accomplish our vision and mission and would like to submit their name for election to the Board, please fill out the online nomination form or download the nomination package HERE.
Any nominee shall be a member in good standing for a minimum of two years, free of any conflict of interest and be willing and able to attend board meetings. In addition, it is highly desirable that candidates should be able to demonstrate a familiarity with the Chamber of Commerce's activities and a level of involvement that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the Chamber of Commerce's goals and objectives.
All nominations are due by Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 12:00 noon. Should you have any questions, please contact the Chamber office at 403.527.5214 ext 222 or president@medicinehatchamber.com.
Fill Up On Funding
NewGrow Grant Opportunity
NewGrow is a program aimed at supporting new/ existing businesses in the Brooks Newell Region. Businesses make a pitch to a panel of judges and compete for funding.
The funding is a grant (not a loan, and no matching funds are required) and is intended to break down barriers and stimulate business growth in the Region, hopefully leading towards better business retention and expansion.
The NewGrow program gives community entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to start up or expand a business or create a new product, service or invention through a business plan and public pitch competition. All participants who take part in NewGrow will have a chance to receive an award package including up to $10,000 in funding plus valuable business services, promotions and mentorship.
You can propose any type of business, new product/service or business expansion/enhancement, as long as it meets a few simple requirements as listed in the NewGrow Program Parameters.
Application packages due: May 24th, 2024 | Pitch night:Â May 31st, 2024
More information here
Alberta boosts funding for Indigenous businesses
Budget 2024 increases the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund to $30 million to support Indigenous community-owned businesses over the next three years.
Indigenous communities face significant barriers when trying to access funding from traditional financial institutions. Supporting the development of Indigenous businesses is a key part of Alberta's commitment to economic reconciliation. Alberta's government is collaborating with Indigenous businesses as partners in prosperity to ensure the success and sustainability of Indigenous communities across the province.
Read more here
Brooks-Newell Region News
City of Brooks received a grant from MCCAC
The City of Brooks is pleased to announce that a $50,000 grant was received from the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) that was used to purchase an electric ice resurfacer this year.Â
Read more here: https://www.brooks.ca/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=391
Brooks Trade Show this Fall!
Each year, the Chamber invests time and resources into creating quality trade shows for our communities, and we are proud to host our inaugural trade show in Brooks. With thousands of consumers visiting the shows over the course of three days these trade shows give an incredible opportunity to gain exposure for your business, demonstrate and sell products, and showcase your services. As an added bonus, Chamber members receive 10% off the price of trade show booths! Bringing businesses together under the JBS Canada Centre roof provides a fantastic experience for everyone.Â
Take a look at more details regarding becoming an exhibitor here!
New Calendar on our Website: Brooks-Newell
We have a new calendar up on our website! The Brooks-Newell Calendar is a great place to look for any events happening in that region, and there are some up right now so make sure to take a look!
Have an event you would like to add? Submit it through the little plus sign on the page, or email communications@medicinehatchamber.com with the details.
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the April 2nd crossword puzzle.
Remember that subscribing to our weekly email gets you access to the crossword puzzle. Anyone who sends us their answers will get their name put into our quarterly draw.
The prize? Receive 5 promotional credits with us (for members) or credit towards a membership (for non-members)! Oh and bragging rights that you're a crossword master.
Useful Links
Find more updates on our social media
