Your Weekly Tune Up
Drought response strategy update
Alberta has updated its drought response plan to provide localized assessments for each river basin, enhancing regional water management strategies. The revised plan categorizes drought stages from 0 (no drought) to 4 (severe drought) to tailor responses to specific regional conditions, supporting more effective water conservation and management across the province. Learn more and review the Alberta Drought Map
Electrical system upgrades coming to South Ridge, Hamptons, Vista
Residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the South Ridge, Vista and Hamptons neighbourhoods will soon have an upgraded electrical system.
Work will begin Wednesday, August 14 to replace underground power lines along a section of South Boundary Road SE. Once replaced and upgraded, these lines - called feeder cables - will improve the electrical system's reliability, redundancy and the quality of service to affected customers in this area. No service disruption is expected from this replacement work. This project will require a temporary closure of the South Boundary Trail between South Ridge Drive SE and Vista Drive SE. Read more here
Enhancements to the Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive
The federal government has recently improved the Canadian Entrepreneurs' Incentive, designed to better support small business owners, including those in the tech and farming sectors. The updated plan includes lowered ownership and engagement requirements, broader eligibility, and a quicker rollout, with the incentive cap set to reach $2 million by 2029. Stakeholders are encouraged to email their comments on these enhancements to consultation-legislation@fin.gc.ca by September 11, 2024. Learn more
Investing $5 million in lithium extraction innovation
Alberta is funding a $5 million project through the TIER program to support E3 Lithium's technology, which converts oil and gas wastewater into lithium.
This initiative aims to place Alberta at the forefront of lithium production while supporting economic diversification and job creation in the energy sector. Learn more
Advocacy in Action
Class 1 Experience and Equivalency program revision
To address truck driver shortages and assist Ukrainian evacuees, Alberta has revised the Class 1 Experience and Equivalency Program. This update allows evacuees with CE licenses to acquire their Class 1 driver's licenses more quickly, aiming to alleviate the province's ongoing shortage of about 4,000 drivers. The program includes exemptions from the Mandatory Entry-Level Training for those with significant experience and reduced training hours for others. This aligns with ACC's policy, Driving Our Economy Forward: The Need for More Class 1 A Professional Drivers.
Joint Letter to Ministers on Potential Labour Disruption in Class I RailwaysÂ
The Canadian Chamber is calling on the government to intervene and do everything necessary to avert a disruption in Canada's Class I railways that could have a severe impact on our economy and supply chains.Â
A work stoppage at both major railways would significantly limit Canadians' access to goods and products, driving up prices and exacerbating affordability challenges. The letter to Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister MacKinnon and Minister Rodriguez is urging them to take immediate action to protect Canadians and uphold Canada's reputation as a reliable trading partner. Read the letter
Clarity for Designated Industrial Zones
Since 2019, at the request of members of the Chamber of Commerce, we had undertaken research on opportunities for a designated industrial zone, seeking to understand the benefits and barriers, knowing it was one of the provincial Government priorities to pursue. In 2020 the Chamber of Commerce adopted a policy focused on Investment Attraction for Industrial Zones, which received support through the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and was renewed once again in 2023. The policy recommendations can be viewed online and included that the Government of Alberta:
 1. Work with municipalities to clarify the process of obtaining an industrial zone designation in support of expanding the number of industrial zones across our province;
 2. Assist and facilitate qualifying municipalities to better understand the requirements associated with streamlining regulatory approvals;
 3. Create a "concierge service" for large industrial projects to remove barriers and guide them through the permitting and regulatory processes while requiring high standards for safety and environmental performance;
 4. Consider a contractual agreement approach that provides longer-term certainty on regulatory compliance costs, including but not limited to carbon pricing;
 5. Provide investment attraction support programs that are open-ended, predictable, and transparent, with fair and equitable opportunity to any company that meets the eligibility criteria with investment supports that address the unique circumstances of each investment.
We have remained in contact with the Government of Alberta on updates over the years, including most recently in May of this year where they provided more information on the criteria for establishing a Designated Industrial Zone located here: Industrial Heartland Designated Industrial Zone | Alberta.ca and provided the following resource to assist in the creation of designated industrial zones in Alberta: criteria for provincial designation of industrial zones - Open Government.
The provincial Designated Industrial Zone team with the Government of Alberta also put together a simplified version of the documents in a checklist format, which they were pleased to provide us this summer. We are pleased with the collaboration and ongoing communication with the Government and the most recent criteria and checklist for municipalities that has is now available online: Criteria for a Designated Industrial Zone (DIZ) (alberta.ca)
Next Level Events
Chamber Membership Info Session - Brooks
Join members of the Chamber team, Naomi, Business Development Coordinator for Brooks-Newell and Lisa Dressler, Executive Director, in Brooks at the Fire Hall to go over how you can benefit from your Chamber membership and everything that's available to you through the services we offer!
Whether you're an existing member or considering membership and want to find out more (or maybe not even sure if you have a membership and want to find out), we hope you'll join us! Let us know your coming here
Little Owl Learning Centre Grand Re-Opening
Join us in celebrating Little Owl Grand Re-Opening! After extensive renovations to enhance their program, they are ready to showcase to the community. There will be live music, face painting, bouncy castles, a BIG giveaway prize, and plenty of fun for everyone! The ribbon cutting will be at 10:15 AM: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/chambercalendar/Details/little-owl-learning-centre-grand-re-opening-1186502?sourceTypeId=Website
Committee Meetings Starting Up Soon!
September is just around the corner, and that means one thing... committee meetings are back! Check out our Chamber Calendar for who is meeting when and where: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/chambercalendar
Interested in joining a committee OR even starting one up? Reach out to us, we would love to talk about it with you! https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/contact
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 Kopper Electric, Crossroads Clinic Association, and Space Arcaders Ltd. to the Chamber Family!Â
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!
Esplanade artefact to be featured in BBC documentary
The Mike Mountain Horse Story Robe, an Indigenous artefact currently housed at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre will be featured in an upcoming series on the British television station, BBC Two. "The Mike Mountain Horse Story Robe has become a popular item in our collection because of the unique materials used to tell the story of one soldiers' experience during the war," says Xanthe Isbister, Director and Curator of the Esplanade Galleries and Collections. "I think the piece serves as a great reminder that Indigenous Canadians were also on the front lines fighting for our freedom." Read the full news release from the Esplanade online.
Scotiabank Charity Golf Classic for MH Women's Shelter Society
Join Scotiabank and others at this Charity Golf event happening Thursday, September 5th at the Medicine Hat Golf & Country Club. It is $175 per golfer or $700 per team; any funds raised through registrations and sponsorships prior to August 31st will be matched up to 50% though Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltraLink.
Lunch at 12:00 PM, shotgun start at 1:00 PM, and dinner with awards at 6:30 PM.
Register now: Scotiabank Group Presents the 22nd Annual Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society's Charity Golf Classic (zeffy.com)
Disclaimer: * To qualify for the promotion, you must sign up for a new payment processing account with Elavon Canada between July 1st and August 31, 2024. Merchant accounts must be activated and actively processing payment transactions by September 15, 2024 for a minimum of one week and be in an open status at the time of the incentive credit. A one-time $150 credit will be applied to your Elavon statement within 90 days after the first deposit date. Limit one credit per customer. Cannot be combined with another offer. Elavon reserves the right in its sole discretion to modify, suspend or terminate the promotion at any time without additional notice. Restrictions may apply. Services provided by Elavon Canada Company.
Elavon Limited Time Promotion: $150 Statement Credit Offer for New Chamber Members
Throughout the months of July & August, any new member who signs up through our Chamber Referral Program will receive a $150 statement credit! How Members Can Participate:
- Submit a web inquiry through the Elavon Chamber landing page (https://join.paymentstart.com/cachamber).
- Our dedicated sales representatives will promptly reach out for a consultation within 24- 48 hours.
- Complete the sign-up process by August 31st, 2024, and members will be qualified to receive $150 Statement credit
Our point of sale solutions allow you to securely accept payments. From credit and debit cards to Google Pay and Apple Pay, you can feel confident that each transaction will be secure. We also have a selection of payment solutions that are equipped with the latest technology to assist you with your business needs, including inventory management, staff timekeeping, invoicing, and more!
Visit join.paymentstart.com/cachamber to learn more.
Fill Up On Funding
The Historic Downtown Great Big Giveaway!
Show your love for some of our local Downtown businesses and potentially win great prizes, enter Tourism Medicine Hat's Historic Downtown Great Big Giveaway! Shop at participating Historic Downtown businesses for a chance to win a grand prize of $1,500 in cash! How to enter:
- Shop at participating Historic Downtown businesses for a chance to win $1,500 cash. Each purchase* is an entry.
- With each purchase, you're also entered to win a gift card from the participating business.
- Bonus Giveaway! Post a photo of the business where you shopped, tagging @tourismmedicinehat, to be entered into a bonus draw for a $500 gift card to a Historic Downtown business of your choosing.
Terms and conditions apply. Learn more
Funding available for Canadian agri-food companies
Could your agricultural export operations benefit from extra funding? The AgriAssurance Program is designed to empower small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by enhancing their ability to meet essential export market requirements through robust assurance systems.
This program facilitates compliance with market standards and fosters resiliency and trust within the industry. Visit the site to learn more
EDC Insights: Are you protected against currency fluctuations?
Have you ever bought something on Amazon, thinking the price was great, and then realized you were on the ".com" site? Then you switch to the ".ca" and the price skyrockets. It's depressing. Now, imagine it's a multimillion-dollar deal. You can see how currency fluctuations can slash a transaction's profit margin.
EDC's Foreign Exchange Facility Guarantee (FXG) is a powerful tool that protects your profit margins, increases your access to working capital, and much more.
Brooks-Newell Region News
2024 Brooks Home + Leisure Tradeshow
We are excited to bring Southeast Alberta's largest and longest running tradeshow to Brooks this fall. Booths are still available and selling fast, Oct 4,5,6 at JBS Canada Centre. Booths start at just $625 (members get 10% discount) and included pipe and drape, table, 2 chairs and dedicated power outlet. Limited bulk space is available for anyone wanting a larger show presence and more square footage. Food vendors are welcome. Artisan and home based business's can purchase space in our dedicated artisan market for a reduced price.
Learn more and Register here: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/chambercalendar/Details/2024-brooks-home-leisure-tradeshow-1094191?sourceTypeId=WebsiteÂ
Business 2 Business Succession Survey
The Brooks Newell Region is committed to supporting local businesses! They're offering FREE professional services to help you create a solid succession plan. Ready to get started? Take the succession survey:Â https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q27TF5B
Check out the FB post here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=951921506975928&set=a.571326438368772
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the August 19th 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.
Other News
Government of Alberta- Culture and Status of Women Grants
Labour Market Notes - Labour market conditions continue to ease
Labour Market InSight - Underlying strength in Albert's labour market
Other Events
June 15 - Sept. 7 | Block Party @ Towne Square | More Info
Support your community | Grand Openings Calendar
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