Your Weekly Tune Up
StartUp Canada: Essential Support for Indigenous Entrepreneurs
There are over 50,000 Indigenous-owned businesses across Canada, contributing $48.9 billion annually to the country's economy. Despite this, the majority of Indigenous entrepreneurs rely on their personal savings to start and build their businesses and face continuous barriers to support and funding. In celebration of National Indigenous History Month, Startup Canada has put together a list of resources and organizations offering support and tools to help Indigenous entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. Access the resource guide
City of Medicine Hat honours National Indigenous Peoples Day
The City of Medicine Hat honours National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to honour the rich history and traditions, diverse cultures and important contributions of Indigenous peoples in our community.
The day is recognized annually on June 21 within National Indigenous History Month. This aligns with the significance of the summer solstice for Indigenous peoples, who have held cultural celebrations on the longest day of the year for centuries.
The City of Medicine Hat celebrates the strengths and resilience of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit cultures and acknowledges the vibrant tapestry of Indigenous history that enriches this community.
The recognition includes visual arts exhibits and events at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, an event that took place at City Hall on June 21, a themed Block Party at Towne Square that took place on June 22, the Ancestors Reburial Project and more. Learn more about these and other educational opportunities by visiting medicinehat.ca/nipd.
You are invited to attend an upcoming webinar hosted by the Government of Alberta to learn more about the Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus Program.
Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus
As part of Budget 2024, the Alberta government announced the Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus. The Moving Bonus is a provincial program that offers a one-time $5,000 refundable tax credit to attract individuals to move to Alberta and work in key trade and construction related occupations.
You can gain a competitive advantage for your organization with an incentive, paid to eligible individuals who move to Alberta. The webinar will include information on:
- Who is eligible to apply.
- What types of occupations qualify for the program.
- How much funding an applicant can receive.
- The application and reimbursement processes.
A live question and answer session will follow the presentation.
Upcoming webinar date: Thursday June 27, 2024 @10:00 am to 11:00 am
Additional information and to register click HERE.
For more information on the Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus Program, please visit: alberta.ca/MovingBonus.
City conducting community survey as part of Land Use Bylaw refresh
The City of Medicine Hat is in the process of refreshing its Land Use Bylaw, and is looking for residents to submit feedback through a community survey on its Shape Your City page. https://www.medicinehat.ca/en/news/city-conducting-community-survey-as-part-of-land-use-bylaw-refresh.aspx
Advocacy in Action
City launches Clean Energy Improvement Program
Today, Medicine Hat residents have a new financial tool to support energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to their properties with the launch of the City's Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP).
https://www.medicinehat.ca/en/news/city-launches-clean-energy-improvement-program.aspx
Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) Launches for 2024-25
The Government of Alberta has made improvements to the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) to make it easier for small- and medium-sized enterprises and non-profit organizations to promote Alberta exports through international travel to formal outbound trade events. Changes were made to reduce red tape, improve consistency and clarify program criteria. The revised program is now live and open for applications for travel taking place after April 1, 2024.
For more information, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-export-expansion-program
Simplifying private sector pension plan rules
The Alberta government has updated rules for private sector pension plans, mostly for the construction trades, to ensure continued security for the recipient's future. Two amendments were made to the Employment Pension Plans Regulation that will provide more flexibility for the almost 180,000 hard-working members across 20 target benefit pension plans. These changes align Alberta with other provinces and follow similar changes made by British Columbia in 2022.
Read more here: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=90553523F3632-D4EE-3B4D-A65D21C14BD4FCD4
Development of the East Ring Enhancement Project
The City is proposing the upgrade of 24 kilometres of existing electrical transmission line to allow for a future increase in voltage from 69 kilovolts (kV) to 138 kV. The 40 year old transmission line requires upgrades to support projected growth in commercial and residential electricity use. The Project is slated for completion in 2029.
Visit their project website, MedicineHat.ca/EastRing to:
• sign up for email updates,
• see answers to frequently asked questions,
• see drone footage of the options, and
• review detailed mapping.
We value your input and encourage you to share your thoughts. Learn more about the project here.
Next Level Events
2024 Downtown Chili Cook-Off
Join us at this year's Downtown Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, July 13th!!
Bowl sales from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, or until chili runs out. Tasting bowls are $5 and hand-made pottery bowls from the Pottery Association are $10... plus money from each of their bowls is donated to AJ's Loan Cupboard!
Free face painting from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, free bouncy castles from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, AND don't forget the eating contest at 2:00 pm.
Awards ceremony at 3:00 pm... who will this year's chili winners be?? In the meantime, check out the 2023 winners and other details here!
Grand Openings: Support your community
Why attend a grand opening? It's a chance to network, make connections, support local and small businesses without having to give anything but your time, plus there can be coffee, snacks, giveaways, draws, etc!
Let's get the cycle of supporting each other going, we hope to see you at one of these upcoming business milestones 🙂
Check out our Grand Openings calendar here!
2024 JazzFest THIS weekend!
The Medicine Hat JazzFest is just around the corner, and there are lots of options to catch the jazz! Incredible artists are getting ready to travel the country, with major jazz festivals happening all across Canada. And from June 25th to the 30th, many of them will be right here in Medicine Hat!
The festival pass is perfect for those that really want to dig in. For $150.25, you can see everything that takes place at JazzFest all week long. That's over $300 worth of tickets for half the price! Tuesday through Saturday evening performances all feature double bills with two headlining artists performing back-to-back in one ticketed event. And included in that is the popular dance party in the Super T aviation hangar at the Medicine Hat Airport.
This year's dance party includes local favorites The Hip Katz and Calgary's Sabor a Cuba Latin Band. Those tickets for the evening double bills are $46.25 each. Another exciting new offer this year is a Youth Ticket Price. Anyone 25 years old and younger can get into any JazzFest event for just $20!
From Tuesday, June 25th through Saturday, June 29th, free performances take place on the front lawn of the Esplanade at 2:00 PM each day. Many of these feature headliner performers. Two are participatory, with a drum circle on Tuesday and an open jam session on Saturday.
Full details are available at https://medicinehatjazzfest.com/
Tickets at https://buy.tixx.ca/eventperformances.asp?evt=1454
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 these businesses to the Chamber Family! JTB Services | Sew-A-Way AB | Cypress Canine Society | Yoga Revolution | Funny Farm Canine
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!
D3h Rates: Chamber Members get Hotel Discounts
Welcome Chamber members to the D3h family! As a member, there are various rates ready and loaded for you at hotels across Alberta and Saskatchewan!
All the information you need on how to book it on the confirmation pdf here. Have a pleasant stay 🙂
2024 Battle of the Businesses
Last Friday your Southeast Alberta Chamber team participated in the Battle of the Businesses andddddd.... lost. Real bad! Though we didn't win first place again this year, we had a great time competing against other teams while raising money for Halo Air Rescue. What better way to spend a sunny afternoon?
Thank you to Just Be TC and all the other sponsors, and great job to everyone on raising money for Halo! For more info on the event, check out the link here. Want to learn more about Halo? Check out the link here.
Will we see you in 2025?? #BOTB2025
Fill Up On Funding
Applications are now open for Medicine Hat's Clean Energy Improvement Program
Today, Medicine Hat residents have a new financial tool to support energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to their properties with the launch of the City's Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP).
Thanks to funding from the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities through the Green Municipal Fund's Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) program, homeowners may apply for low 3.25% interest financing from the City for eligible upgrades like light fixtures, windows, doors, adding solar panels, increasing insulation, installing a tankless hot water system, furnace, heat pumps and more. Repayment is conveniently added to their property tax bills during a span of up to 20 years, depending on the expected life of the improvement.
Venture-Capital Ready for Women
Through Small Scale Food Processors Association's Venture-Capital Ready: Investment Training for Women Entrepreneurs (VC Ready) program, you will be supported by agri-food industry specialists to prepare for challenges, create your pitch strategy, and have the opportunity to present to potential venture-capital Investors. https://venturecapital.ssfpa.net/Â
Government of Canada - Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program
Providing funding towards projects focusing on EV charger deployment in public places, on-street, in multi-unit residential buildings, at workplaces, and for vehicle fleets. Projects are selected through a competitive process. NRCan's contribution will be limited to fifty percent (50%) of Total Project Costs up to a maximum of 10 million dollars per project. The next annual RFP is planned for Spring 2024.Â
Brooks-Newell Region News
Business Beautification Program
Brooks Newell Region Economic Development, along with Community Futures Chinook, is pleased to offer businesses in the Brooks Newell Region an opportunity to receive a beautification loan and grant to enhance the appearance of a business.
Businesses can apply for up to $10,000 in funding of which 80% would be an interest free loan and 20% would be a grant. Successful applicants could receive up to an $8,000 loan and a $2,000 grant. Click here for the brochure.
Any business within the defined boundaries of the City of Brooks, County of Newell, Town of Bassano and Villages of Duchess and Rosemary may apply. More information here: https://www.brooksregion.ca/business-supports/grantsÂ
City of Brooks Council Summer Schedule
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Come back next week to see this week's answers, and congrats to another quarterly winner... Camille with Kenco Construction Inc. Next winner will be announced August, so stay tuned!
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.
Other Events
June 15 - Sept. 7 | Block Party @ Towne Square | More Info
Support your community | Grand Openings Calendar
Useful Links
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