Your Weekly Tune Up

September is Recovery Month

For the past six years, Alberta’s government has commemorated recovery month. Alberta has funded more than 10,000 new addiction treatment spaces and expanding the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program, Alberta’s government has now opened three recovery communities, with eight more on the way. If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction or facing mental health challenges, don’t wait to reach out. There is help available by calling Alberta 211, the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program or Counselling Alberta. Find out more. The Alberta government is supporting 12 post-secondary institutions in creating 761 new seats in programs dedicated to in-demand mental health professions. Impacted programs include psychiatric nursing, psychology, social work, child and youth care, and addiction counselling. Find out more, including seats added to the local Southeast Alberta region.

'A Bit About Us' Presentation

On August 20th our Executive Director presented to the Medicine Hat Rotary Club with some history and information about the Chamber of Commerce. To learn a bit about us, check out her presentation here.

How can you get involved:

1. Connect at our events:
https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/chambercalendar. These events are in addition to our government meetings, networking events such as coffee and conversations, and business, brainstorming and beers and our many committee meetings.

2. Get involved in a committee such as community connections or our Legacy Task Force. Our other committees include our Business Advisory Committee, Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee, Health and Wellness committee, Community Connections, Urban Development Industry, Large Industrial Manufacturers committee, Leadership Development Committee, along with our Downtown Collective, and Redcliff Collective. Most of our committees are exclusive to membership, but a committee such as the Legacy Task Force is open to past Directors and Presidents of the Chamber.

3. Support our Legacy Projects to commemorate our 125th: https://www.southeastalbertachamber.ca/chamber-legacy-fund/. If you decide to contribute to our Legacy Fund, built to fund initiatives that will grow future entrepreneurs and business leaders, we will recognition you as a Legacy Fund Donor and you have the benefit of contributing to a fund within the Community Foundation of Southeast Alberta.

4. Use your influence to talk about the work we are doing and spurring a community together as people of action. Find out some of our advocacy work through our current priorities: https://www.southeastalbertachamber.ca/our-voice/ and policy positions:https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/policies, as well as some of the work we have completed in the past:https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/policywins. We'll have a new annual report published at our AGM in November, but you can check out our previous publications here: https://www.southeastalbertachamber.ca/publications/, including past policy achievements:https://www.southeastalbertachamber.ca/2023annualreport/advocacy/

WestJet Roundtable

Join the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce and the Medicine Hat Regional Airport for a WestJet roundtable in Medicine Hat. WestJet will outline their plans for the community with the upcoming transition to WestJet Encore. Business and community leaders will have the opportunity to provide feedback, ask questions, and discuss how these changes will impact the local economy and connectivity. This is a key opportunity to engage directly with WestJet on matters relevant to your business and the broader community.

We are pleased to welcome the following representatives from the WestJet team:

Jared Mikoch-Gerke, Director of Alliances and Airport Affairs
Christina Iversen, Direct of External Affairs
Tara Jago, Senior Manager of External Affairs

For more information, the agenda, and registration, check out the event on our website here.

Advocacy in Action

Will a Rail Disruption Impact Your Business?

There's been a fair bit of news lately with our railways. The Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) is engaging Alberta's business community to understand impacts of rail disruptions. Your participation will take less than a minute. Share how this disruption could affect your business

The ACC urged Members of Parliament to secure stability in Canada’s rail services and sent a letter to Members of Parliament for Alberta, emphasizing the significant role railways play in transporting goods worth $380 billion annually, stressing the importance of railway reliability for Alberta’s businesses and Canada's trade reputation. Read the ACC letter; Read the Statement from the Canadian Chamber.

You can also view the joint statement from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of Canada, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. View the Canadian Chamber and U.S. Chamber of Commerce call on Canadian government to take action and the joint letter to the Prime Minister and Ministers.

2024 Leadership Breakfast | October 22 @ 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Join us for our annual Leadership Breakfast bringing together representatives from all levels of government in our region. Connect with us and our elected leaders, in an open dialogue and capitalize on the chance to influence the conversation.

In addition, attendees will have the chance to ask questions on issues that are of importance to them. This event provides an avenue to have an open dialogue with those who are in decision-making positions. For more details, registration and to see who will be there you can check the event out on our website here.

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Next Level Events

Committee Meetings Starting Up Soon!

September is here 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 (first one is September 9th)!

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

Save the date for the next Municipal Mingle!

You are invited to the fourth Municipal Mingle: an in-person public engagement event, scheduled for Thursday, September 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Towne Square.

This in-person event is an opportunity to interact with representatives from various City departments and ask questions about existing and new initiatives. There will also be food trucks, games, a snow plow, sander, and fire truck on-site!

Bonus! Attend Municipal Mingle and enter in a draw to win two tickets to Sam Roberts Band and the Strumbellas and local band Vanity Trip live at Co-op Place on September 13, 2024. Read more in the City of Medicine Hat’s latest ‘Neat to Know”

Grand Opening for Gavin Burns with World Financial Group

Join us in celebrating the grand opening of the Medicine Hat office space for Gavin Burns with World Financial Group! Light snacks, refreshments, a meet and greet, and a free session on how to master your money! Two times so no worries if you can't make one or the other. Check out all the details here.

Doors open @ 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Ribbon cutting happening 12:15 PM

Session #1: Master your Money @ 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Session #2: Master your Money Class @ 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM

Coffee & Conversations

Join the Chamber Thursday, September 19th at 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM to enjoy coffee and conversations about your business, our business, or life in general! This is a great opportunity to connect in the mornings if your afternoons and evenings are too busy. You can stop by for a quick hello or stay and chat for a while; everyone is welcome! This month's location... Station Coffee Co. downtown!

https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/chambercalendar/Details/coffee-conversations-1085674?sourceTypeId=Website

CLICK TO VIEW ALL EVENTS!

Enriching Your Business

There's a reason Chambers Plan is Canada's #1 plan.

JoAnne Letkeman, Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor
Medicine Hat & District | (403) 504-2166 ext 1.

Scott Walls, Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor
Brooks-Newell Region | (403) 892-9675

Look at what else your Chambers Plan includes here!

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Value Added Benefits

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Fueling the Business Community

• NEW MEMBERS •

We would like to welcome Dunmore Auto Wreckers, V-Nails & Spa Inc. and Bad Guy Motors 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!

Banner Ads_$100 statement credit_Sept-Oct 2024_CCC_dates

Elavon Limited Time Promotion: $100 Statement Credit Offer for New Chamber Members

Accept payments, any time from anywhere! Elavon offer a variety of point-of-sale solutions that make it easy for your business to securely and efficiently accept payments the way that your customers want to pay. Open a new payment processing account for your business by October 31, 2024 and you will be eligible to receive a $100 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 October 31^st, 2024, and members will be qualified to receive $100 Statement credit

Visit join.paymentstart.com/cachamber to learn more.

Fill Up On Funding

CFSEA Launches Fall Grant Cycle

The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta opened their Fall 2024 Community Grants applications. All registered charities, qualified donees, and non-profit groups are welcome to apply. The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta has four rural community funds – Cypress County Community Fund, Brooks & District Community Fund, the Rural Community Fund of Forty Mile, and the Prairie Crocus Community Fund (including Special Areas 2, 3, 4 and the MD of Acadia. Grant applications from these regions will be reviewed by local advisory committees familiar with the area and needs within their community.

All applications will be reviewed by the Grants Committee which is comprised of Board Members and knowledgeable community members. The committees consider all eligible applications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. CFSEA prioritizes impact and equitable regional support. If you want to learn more about CFSEA’s Community Grants, email grants@cfsea.ca and visit the Community Grants page at www.cfsea.ca. Deadline to submit an online application is September 16th at noon.

Northern and Regional Economic Development Program Opens September 16

The Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) Program funds initiatives led by Alberta municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations that promote regional economic development and diversification.

The Program in Alberta has updated its terms to accept applications for projects lasting up to three years, with funding ranging from $10,000 to $300,000. The application window now extends an additional month, closing on December 6, with applications opening on September 16. To date, the program has supported 144 projects. Indigenous-led applications are eligible for up to 75% funding, while others may receive up to 50%. Learn more and find out about what’s changed.

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Business Opportunities

The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) seeks to increase the number of viable businesses in Canada owned and controlled by Indigenous people. The AEP funds a broad range of entrepreneurial pursuits and aims to build capacity, reduce barriers and increase access to capital, by forging partnerships that will increase economic opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

Learn more about this program here.

Brooks-Newell Region News

Business Beautification Program

Do you want to give your business a makeover? Regional 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!

The purpose of this program is to encourage and provide Brooks Newell Region businesses with an opportunity to improve the appearance of their business.

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. Learn more on our website, or visit Community Futures Chinook!

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=Website

Annual Sustainability Award is Open for Nominations!

Do you know a business in Brooks that has...

Demonstrated environmental sustainability is a core business goal,
Used products/materials (could be recyclable or second-hand) that reduces their environmental impact,
Made upgrades or changes that reduced waste, energy or water consumption,
Implemented methods to become more environmentally sustainable,
Created a product or service that is environmentally sustainable, or
Worked with other sustainable businesses or organizations?

EcoBrooks wants to recognize them! Fill out the nomination form before the November 1^st deadline and give that business the chance to win! Find out more

Crossword Puzzle

Crossword Puzzle Answers

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.