Local Business Partnership and Innovation

 

Simply For Life's "Grocery Store Tour" Gives Nutritional Insight to Clients

Sobey's Robie Street Professional Dietitian Jennifer Ferguson (left) explains the do's and don'ts of
shopping for the healthiest foods to Simply for Life clients. The Grocery Store Tour in March was
organized by Amy and Jason at Simply for Life on Prince Street, and gave would-be shoppers an insider's look at how to scrutinize nutritional labelling for everything from fibre, salt and fat content to calories and vitamins.  Special thanks to Jennifer for a job well-done and to Simply for Life / Truro.  It was a very educational evening.


New Board Takes Oath

Board members took their oath of office at the Chamber's March, 2014 AGM. The event was held at Saltscapes Restaurant in the Truro Power Centre, with the swearing in being done by Chamber solicitor Elisabeth Sieber.  Pictured (standing for the oath of office) in the photo above are from left, Kim Langille of Healthy Habit Health Food, Andrew Lake of Will-Kare Paving, David Alan Miller of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Alex Stevenson of T-D Bank, Matthew Robblee of Caldwell-Roach Insurance, Don Locke of RBC and Jackie Johnston of Truro Mall.   Thanks to all who attended and a special thanks to guest speaker Carl Sparkes of Devonian Coast Wineries Ltd.  The event was sponsored by our friends and strong community event supporters at RBC Truro.  Special thanks to RBC's Bruce Young as well, for his speaking skills and the generous donation of his time and energy for this important event.


Jost Owner Sparkes A Hit at AGM

Carl Sparkes, owner of Devonian Coast Wineries, which is the parent company of Nova Scotia's most established vineyard, known as Jost Vineyards, easily held the attention of his business audience at the Truro & Colchester Chamber's AGM Luncheon at the Truro Power Centre in March.  Sparkes talked of his experience among Canada's business elite, and said too often in the boardrooms of the nation, he hears how Nova Scotians undersell themselves on the national and international stage.  Sparkes told the crowd they live and do business in a place that is the envy of the world, and they need to step up to the business opportunities that present themselves in the coming years.

The Chamber's new board for 2014-15 was also sworn in at the event.  For more, visit this link.  http://trurocolchesterchamber.com/list-of-officers


Stewiacke Business Expo a Major Hit

A large crowd of about 200 people turned out for the Chamber's
Stewiacke Business & Lifestyles Expo in late-February.

More than 35 businesses registered, and as you can see at the bottom photo below,
the Stewiacke Shotokan Karate Club put on an excellent demonstration.

Special thanks to Stewiacke Foodland, Stewiacke Home Hardware, Stewiacke KFC, Pro Travel Network, Nelson House Bed and Breakfast and Focus Yoga and Massage for the prize donations.   Accolades are also due for Mayor Wendy Robinson and Heather Hamilton of Breakwater Training and Business Solutions.  See photos below.

 

 


Chamber Reacts to Ivany Report

Chamber Applauds Commission’s Report on Province’s Economic Future

Feb 12, 2014

 

The President of the Truro + Colchester Chamber of Commerce sees some good possibilities emerging from the final report created by the provincial Commission on the New Economy.

Stephanie Jones says her 450 business members can take heart in suggestions from the report that this province move to triple immigration levels over the next 10 years.

“We know that immigration brings new ideas and a new vibrancy to the economy, “ says Jones.  “Regions of this country with the highest immigration are the economic powerhouses of Canada, and we need to get in on that success by working with Ottawa to increase immigration.  Our rapidly-aging population trends can be reversed by increasing the birth rate and bringing in young, entrepreneurial immigrants.”

Jones also likes New Economy Commission Chair Ray Ivany’s suggestions that Nova Scotians are too suspicious of successful entrepreneurs, and that our culture looks unrealistically to governments for all the answers.

Ivany’s remarks to municipal leaders that they need to stop competing with each other in order to lure in businesses from other jurisdictions to “grow the economic pie” in their own back yards also resonates with the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce.

Jones says she agrees with Mr. Ivany that Nova Scotia municipal leaders are “world caliber” at fighting to bring in an “economic win,” instead of celebrating when a new business sets up in any Nova Scotia jurisdiction.

“I would advise our municipal leaders to pay close attention to the increased role for business that Mr. Ivany’s commission is recommending,” says Jones.  “The old ways of doing things are going to have to change if Nova Scotia’s 10-year plan is going to succeed. The suggestions in this report that we work to double Research and Development and increase exports by 50 per cent have to come ahead of paltry political battles.”

Jones also likes the report’s suggestion that we enshrine its goals in legislation so that future governments can’t let provincial partisan politics get in the way of Nova Scotia’s progress.


Terms and Conditions

INTRODUCTION
This Privacy Statement describes the web site terms of use practices for the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce (TCCoC or Chamber) and how we collect and use personal information.
By using this site, you consent to the terms of this Privacy Statement and to the use of your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Statement.
"Personal information" is any information about an identifiable individual, but does not include business contact information including the name, title, business address or business telephone number of an employee of any organization.

PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED ABOUT YOU
TCCoC does not collect personal information about individuals except when such individuals specifically provide such information on a voluntary basis. Depending on what you request, such information may include your: email address, phone number and company name.
TCCoC only collects personal information as necessary for the purposes for which you provide it to us and for the provision of Chamber products and services in accordance with this Privacy Statement.
To help us provide better customer service, TCCoC may collect anonymous information, such as web page traffic from visits to our websites. This information is in an aggregate and anonymous form. We do not use cookies to identify repeat users.

USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

TCCoC may use personal information as permitted or required by law, and as reasonably necessary for us to provide products and services, and to carry out TCCoC procedures as they apply to you, such as:
a)    Processing applications for membership;
b)    Processing applications for member benefits;
c)    Processing registrations for an event;  
d)    Processing applications to participate on a Chamber volunteer committee;
e)    Processing payments to the TCCoC;
f)    Listing contact information for your company in the Chamber’s e-directory, unless you request that no such listings be made; and
g)    Communicating with you in respect of TCCoC matters including applications for membership, invoicing and provision of receipts, e-mail newsletters each week, updates and surveys.

SHARING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THIRD PARTY ACCESS
The TCCoC does not provide third party access to your personal information except in the manner set out in this Statement, as required or permitted by law, and as reasonably necessary for TCCoC to provide products and services, and to carry out TCCoC procedures as they apply to you, such as:
a)    Publication in the Chamber’s e-directory and other listings of member contact information
b)    To facilitate your receipt of services from Member Benefits and event sponsors;
c)    To enforce the terms and conditions on the Chamber's web site, or protect the rights, property, or safety of the TCCoC, our visitors or others, or to collect a debt from you.
Your personal information is not otherwise disclosed beyond the TCCoC without your consent and is shared internally only when it is required as part of the performance of the duties of the individual seeking access.

ACCESS TO AND CHANGING AND REMOVING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
The TCCoC will use reasonable efforts to allow you to update or correct previously submitted personal information that you state to be erroneous. Upon your request, the TCCoC will functionally delete your information from its databases, and you acknowledge that your member services may be affected accordingly. However, it may be impossible to delete your entry without some residual information because of backups and records of deletions.

RETAINING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
We retain your business information as long as you remain a member of the TCCoC.  If your membership ends, we may use and disclose your information as required and permitted by law, to conclude any outstanding matters relating to your membership with us, and to seek your input and advise you about products and services of TCCoC that may interest you.  If you do not wish to receive any such further information, please contact us.

SECURITY
The TCCoC is committed to protecting your personal information and has taken measures to avoid the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under our control. The appropriate physical, technical and administrative measures have been put into place to protect the quality and integrity of your personal information, and to keep information that is stored in our systems protected from unauthorized access.
This ends “Terms of Use” posting.  


Commercial Space

Commercial Properties for rent, lease or sale in Colchester Region

To request your commercial property for sale, lease or rent be added to this section of the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce, click here to fill out the COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LISTING form. Completed forms should be emailed to [email protected] .  There is no cost to submit a listing.

The Chamber is not responsible for any errors appearing in submitted COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LISTING  forms posted to its site. The Chamber reserves the right to with hold  posting  COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LISTING forms or to remove any posts at any time without notice. Submissions will be posted until December 31, 2016 unless otherwise requested to be removed. For more information email [email protected].

 

Commercial Property Resources

Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce realtors, developers and other members in good standing, are welcome to provide their website to the Chamber to be posted on its Commercial Property page at no cost.

Realtors

There are a number of Commercial Real Estate Agents operating locally that can help you identify commercial property in Truro and Colchester region.  Please use the links below to access Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce realtor websites.

RYCO HOLDINGS LTD.

COLDWELL BANKER OPEN DOOR REALTY

REMAX FAIRLANE REALTY

ROYAL LEPAGE TRURO REAL ESTATE

PROPERTY GUYS.com

TRURO MALL -STRATHALLEN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC

THE CARLETON BUILDING


Development Agencies

Downtown Truro Partnership

Truro Business Park

 

Developers

RYCO HOLDINGS LTD.

MILLBROOK - TRURO POWER CENTRE

TRURO PROFESSIONAL CENTRE

PFI INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

THE CARLETON BUILDING

TRURO CENTRE LTD.

OLD FLETCHERS FARM LIMITED

ALLISON LAND SURVEYS LIMITED

BRENTWOOD DEVELOPMENT LTD.- The Hub Centre


 

TRURO HEIGHTS INDUSTRIAL PARK

Parking Lot Space


Boardroom Rentals

Marigold Cultural Centre


Event, Classroom or Workshop space

Marigold Cultural Centre


Michaud Resigns, Hay + Jones Take Over Shared Presidency

Past Chamber President Returns to Helm
at Truro + Colchester Chamber of Commerce

August 14, 2013

TRURO - It’s back to the future at the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce.  President Mike Michaud is resigning as President of the 440-member organization to pursue a career offer in the U-S.   As a result, Past President Don Hay is coming back to the President’s Chair for the rest of this calendar year.

In an agreement that’s been several weeks in the making, Vice President and McDonald’s Restaurants owner Stephanie Jones will take over as next year’s Chamber President 3 months earlier than usual, to facilitate the departure of Michaud for the U-S.

“I want to thank the local business community and our community leaders for the opportunities I’ve been given over the past few years as a Chamber Executive volunteer,” says Michaud.  But unfortunately, my career comes first, and I will be taking a job offer in Maine later this month.”

Don Hay takes over as Chamber President effective this week, and as mentioned earlier, Jones will take over as President of the Chamber on January 1st.

“I know Mike Michaud will do well with his sales and marketing career in Maine,” says Hay.  “He served on the Chamber Executive with me for several years and we will miss his presence at the boardroom table. “

Jones sees no major hiccups for the business community under this new arrangement, noting that Don Hay is a seasoned and respected member of the business community, and both she and Hay have worked closely together at the Chamber Executive levels over the past couple of years.

“I’m happy for Mike and his new career, and I know this Chamber will continue to grow and serve our business members and the non-profit community who continually show their support for what we’ve been able to accomplish,” says Jones.   “Change is never easy, but it’s a challenge that give us renewed vigour to take on the challenges that may lie ahead.”


Task Force on Economic Development

Chamber to Spearhead Economic Task Force for Central Nova Scotia

Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce has agreed to spearhead a task force aimed at revamping or replacing the Colchester Regional Development Agency.  (CoRDA)

At a meeting of business and political leaders this morning, a consensus was formed to:

  • work together for cooperation and continuity in economic development across Colchester, Truro, Millbrook and Stewiacke
  • build upon existing infrastructure, possibly examining the re-making of CoRDA’s services into an agency for the future
  • issue a call for a joint meeting of the Towns of Truro and Stewiacke as well as Colchester County to come together and build a real consensus with the help of a Chamber-led task force of business and community leaders
  • investigate the best way to access provincial money that’s been set aside to help the process
  • hold an economic summit in September to make it all happen, before access to provincial money is no longer available

 

Chamber  President  Mike Michaud is pleased with the crowd of established business people and younger entrepreneurs who took part in the two-hour Town Hall-style meeting at the Dal-AC Campus this morning.  There was also a good showing of local and provincial political leaders.

Michaud says one notable absence was Colchester County Mayor Bob Taylor, but he’s hoping that absence can be changed in the days ahead.

“It’s kind of shocking that Bob Taylor chose not to participate in such an important event,” says Michaud.  “However, there were several Colchester County Councillors on hand today, who I’m sure will carry the message to Colchester’s Mayor that we’d like to work with him. “

Michaud is concerned that a provincial election call this fall could wipe out any promised money to help build upon the economic success that CoRDA and others have achieved over the past two decades for this region.

Michaud says the clock is ticking, and it’s time all political and business leaders got in the game.

“The time for finger-pointing and territorialism is over.  A region with all the advantages that Colchester County, its towns and Millbrook has to offer shows we need to come together to take advantage of the growth that lies ahead,” he says.  “With only 52,000 people, we’re not large enough to continually divide ourselves and miss out on provincial money that’s designated to help us.”  (Regional Enterprise Network funding ear-marked this year by the Province of Nova Scotia)

The Task force of business and community leaders expects to hold its first meeting next week, to begin planning for a multi-municipal business summit in September.


Economic Summit

July 8, 2013

TRURO – The Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce is inviting business and political leaders to a collaborative meeting designed to come up with a solid economic development plan for the Truro-Colchester Region.

In order to take action on the opportunities that lie ahead, Chamber President Mike Michaud and his board members are planning an “Economic Summit Meeting”, which will be held this Thursday, July 11th at the NSAC Alumni Theatre, located in Cumming Hall, from 8 am until 10 am.

“As business leaders, we’re concerned about the path our municipal government partners are planning to take in order to further the kinds of business training, business and events attraction and immigration success stories that have been key to our growth,” says Michaud.  “Most of that success has been spearheaded by CoRDA (The Colchester Regional Development Agency) over the past 2 decades, and with CoRDA’s future up in the air, it’s sending the wrong signal.   We need a solid plan to make sure these services stay within the community.  Our future growth depends on that. “

The Chamber has spent the past three weeks speaking with business leaders, municipal politicians and provincial players in the economic development field.

Michaud says he’s getting the thumbs up from key players that it’s time to hold a meeting that will bring everyone together in order to chart a solid course for our economic future.

Chamber Past-President Don Hay says he wants to emphasize the importance of Thursday’s event, “as we work together to chart a course for sustained and planned growth in Truro and Colchester County.”

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For more information,

Mike Michaud – 986-2888

Don Hay – 890-8293