2017 gala award finalists announced
Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce announces 2017 gala award finalists
TRURO – The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its 2017 gala award finalists.
Central Equipment Inc., owned by Anthony Waugh and Chad Bower, has been selected as the recipient of the Community Credit Union Business Excellence Award, and Jack and Andrew Roop of Roops Esso have been selected to receive the BDC Business Persons of the year Award.
“Central Equipment Ltd. and Jack and Andrew Roop join an impressive list of business leaders to be recognized by the Chamber at its annual gala dinner and awards,” said Chamber President Alex Stevenson. “They are committed to providing excellent customer service and employment opportunities in Colchester County, along with supporting community events and organizations.
The awards will be presented on April 27 during the Chamber’s 127th annual gala dinner celebration at the Holiday Inn. The cost is $50 (+HST) per seat for members and $55 (+HST) for non-members. To reserve seats call the Chamber office at 902-895-6328, or email [email protected].
The Community Credit Union Business Excellence Award recognizes leadership achieving a demonstrated growth in sales, workforce investment, community involvement, support of the local business community, commitment to the environment, innovation and job creation.
Central Equipment Inc. is celebrating 59 years in Lower Truro this year. The business employs more than 20 people, dedicated to providing top-of-the-line products and customer service, while supporting the community in a number of ways from volunteering with 4-H, to serving with fire departments and providing companionship to residents in special care homes, and more.
The BDC Business Person(s) of the Year Award acknowledges a founder, owner, CEO, president or manager who has achieved significant success showing strong leadership skills contributing to the growth of the business.
Jack and Andrew Roop “grew up” in the family business working alongside their parents who took over ownership in 1971. Jack joined the family enterprise in 2004, followed by Andrew 2006. The brothers have continued to expand the business offerings that began as a service station which includes a convenience store, Tim Hortons Drive-thru and NSLC agency store.
The Roop’s business employs up to 38 full-time and part-time employees during the summer tourist season in rural Colchester County.
Nominations for the Chamber awards were open to all businesses in Truro and Colchester County.
The gala awards dinner will feature guest speaker Cathy Bennett, CEO of Bennett Group of Companies, recipient of several Top CEO awards and recognized as one of the top 25 Women of Influence in Canada. Bennett is currently serving as the Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the accomplishments of local business at the Chamber’s gala, which is open to members and future members.
Business fraud topic of chamber Lunch and Learn
TRURO – Business fraud will be the topic of an upcoming lunch and learn hosted in Truro by the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce.
A new report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says the increasing frequency of cyber attacks is costing Canada billions of dollars a year, hindering the ability of business to compete in the global economy.
“Small businesses, which account for about 98 per cent of the Canadian economy, often lack financial resources and technical expertise to protect themselves, making them susceptible to cyber attacks,” said chamber president Alex Stevenson. “Businesses need to be informed of the risks to protect themselves and their customers.”
The chamber is pleased to host guest speakers Leah White and Jaime Rudolph of Grant Thornton at a Lunch and Learn in Truro on April 12 to discuss real cyber fraud cases and share how businesses can protect themselves against attacks.
White, a Partner, and Rudolph, a senior manager, are responsible for operational advisory services across the Atlantic region. They facilitate enterprise and business-level risk assessments, evaluating fraud prevention and detection programs and controls, and have extensive experience conducting risk and control advisory services for a variety of organizations in both the private and public sectors. They frequently present on fraud-related topics and facilitate workshops to help identify red flags of fraud when reviewing typical financial reports.
White and Rudolph will break down fraud to the basics, and deliver real-life stories offering valuable information on detecting the red flags and protecting your business from employee or cyber fraud.
During the lunch and learn a special guest from the office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness will also share information about its new Business Navigator program.
The lunch and learn will be held at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, noon (12 p.m.), Cost $20 per person. To RSVP, call 902-895-6328 or email [email protected].
Changes to building code positive for forest industry
TRURO - A recent announcement the province of Nova Scotia will align its building code with the National Building code is positive news for the forest industry and the overall economy of the province, say area chambers.
“This is a positive change that has the potential to boost timber sales in this region while supporting the overall economy of the province,” says Alex Stevenson, President of the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce. “At a recent carbon pricing discussion hosted by the Chamber, panel experts outlined how locally sourced timber used in construction can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the timbers store naturally captured carbon for the long term.”
The changes that came into effect April 1, allow for the maximum height of timber structures to increase from four to six storeys. The Fire Safety Act and Regulations will also be changed to enhance safety requirements for the taller wood buildings.
This will offer flexibility to designers and developers in their choice of building products in structures up to six storeys, while promoting the broader use of wood which can be locally sourced, providing valuable employment and economic spinoffs while offering sustainable ‘green’ building solutions.
“Our sawmills are vital to the rural economy but they are often at the mercy of ever changing lumber markets in North America and off shore,” says Jack Kyte, Executive Director, Pictou County Chamber of Commerce. “The announced changes offer the opportunity to increase lumber sales right here in Nova Scotia and provide more stability for producers.”
Eight percent of the province’s annual wood harvest is done in Colchester County and nine per cent in Pictou County.
Nova Scotia forests cover four million hectares, or 75 per cent of the province. The forest industry provides 11,500 direct and indirect jobs to Nova Scotians, contributing an economic impact of $2.1 Billion and $800 million to the provincial GDP.