Annual Chamber newsletter details advocacy efforts
The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce publishes an annual newsletter detailing it's advocacy efforts for the past year, as well as sharing important information about programs and events.
To download CLICK HERE
Business Minister visits Truro & Colchester members
Nova Scotia's Business Minister Geoff MacLellan joined the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce for a luncheon on Jan. 31. The Minister provided an overview of many issues impacting business in the province.
Video captured at youth symposium event
The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce was pleased to partner with Truro & Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity, Department of Education, and Futureworx to host a Business and Youth Symposium last fall. The youth of today are our future workforce and entrepreneurs and it was great to connect with them.
Here is how some of them view the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JDWTC36DPE
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Advocating for business, the Chamber is seeking input from members on a pressing issue. Earlier this month the Nova Scotia Minimum Wage Review Committee provided its report making recommendations to Labour Minister Labi Kousoulis. If implemented this would bring the minimum wage from its current $11 an hour to $12.65 by 2021. As of Oct. 1, Nova Scotia had the lowest minimum wage in the country, while Alberta had the highest at $15 an hour.
Kousoulis will make a decision on the minimum wage in early January. As the voice of business for the region the Chamber plans to provide a submission to the minister for consideration and invite all businesses to share their opinions on the potential impacts for them if this recommendation was to be implemented. To share, email [email protected]
Take our survey - CLICK HERE
2018 Small Business Awards
Oct. 12, 2018
For immediate Release
Outstanding local businesses to be honoured with 2018 Small Business Awards
TRURO - The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce has announced this year’s Small Business Week award recipients.
“The Chamber received more than 30 nominations from the community to recognize the many small businesses in this region deserving of an award,” said Chamber President Joanne McRae. “These were quality nominations and the vetting committee deliberated each one at length. We congratulate all our nominees wishing them great success in the future.”
McRae said Business Growth was one of the seven categories that stood out for receiving the greatest number of nominations.
“We are so pleased to see businesses in Colchester and Truro area thriving and growing,” said the president. “The jobs they create have a tremendous impact on the overall economic growth of our region.”
The award recipients of 2018 are: New Small Business of the Year, Levels Game Loft; Small Business Achievement, Blenkhorn Auto Recyclers Ltd.; Small Business Innovation, Ditch Doctor Atlantic Ltd; Export Achievement, PURE Paint Laboratories; Excellence in Community Development, Aggregate Equipment Atlantic Ltd; Small Business Growth, Coldstream Clear Distillery; and Agriculture/Agri-Small Business, Searle's Gardens and Florals. The seven awards are sponsored by Community Credit Union, PWC, RBC, Nova Scotia Business Inc., Town of Truro, BDC and MNP LLP, respectively.
Recipients will be honoured at this year’s Small Business Week Award Luncheon, Oct. 18, 12 p.m., at the Holiday Inn and Conference Centre. All nominees will receive recognition for their contributions to the local economy during the luncheon. Guest speaker will be Sandra Quesnel, program manager for the Yarmouth Association for Community Residential Options. Mitchell Johnston, owner of 360 Bin Cleaning and the 2017 Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce Start-up Legacy Award, will also be speaking about the growth of his business in the past year.
The chamber will also present its second annual Legacy Start-Up Award at the luncheon. The award includes a $2,500 cash prize along with more than 20 hours of mentorship from member award partners. This year’s award partners are: Alliance HR Consulting Services, Atkinson Accounting Ltd., Burchell MacDougall Lawyers LLP, Caldwell Roach Insurance, CBDC-NoBL, Colchester Printing Company Inc., Hub Now, White Leblanc Wealth Planners.
To reserve seats at the luncheon, contact the Chamber of Commerce office by calling 902-895-6328 or email [email protected]. Seats cost $25 for chamber members and $30 for future members (plus tax).
The Chamber will be hosting Small Business Week activities from Oct. 15 to 19.
Watch the chamber website www.trurocolchesterchamber.com and Facebook page for a schedule of chamber-hosted events and details on other Small Business Week events in the area.
Call for Submissions- Business Start-up Award
Call for nominations 2018 Small Business Awards
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Chamber asks for a delay in second reading of proposed kennel development By-law
News Release
August 29, 2018
Chamber asks for a delay in second reading of proposed kennel development By-law
TRURO – The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce is asking Colchester County Council to delay the second reading of a proposed temporary By-law impacting the development of kennels.
The Chamber has engaged with its members and municipal officials on the issue which has resulted in the submission of several recommendations on the proposed Municipality of the County of Colchester Kennel Development By-law.
“At this time, we are asking that County Council delay the second reading of the proposed By-law in order to allow time for consultation to occur with local businesses that will be affected, as well as to establish a timeline to be included while the land use By-laws are reviewed,” said Chamber president Joanne McRae.
Of particular concern to Chamber members is the lack of timeline associated with the implementation of the proposed By-law which council has indicated would be temporary.
Based on feedback from its membership, the Chamber believes if a By-law of this nature were to remain in effect for an indefinite period of time, there is potential for wide-spread negative impacts to local business of all kinds, from real estate to existing kennels, veterinarians, breeders, groomers, pet supply businesses, trainers, boarding facilities, dog daycares, kennel clubs, professional dog handlers and many others.
“It is unreasonable to expect business to wait an undetermined timeframe for the county to lift a moratorium directly impacting their livelihoods,” said the President.
Colchester County has attracted high-caliber canine events drawing thousands of people to this area and has been home to dogs trained as international champions. The pet industry is a multi-billion dollar business and needs the support of Council to continue to provide economic benefits to this region.
Since 2013 the pet industry has grown 3.8 per cent and was worth more than $7 billion in Canada, with 52 per cent of households having a pet. Colchester County boasts a wide variety of pet-related businesses and is well positioned for economic growth.
The Chamber provided several recommendations to council including a need to clearly outline how proposed new legislation would be enforced and the estimated cost to tax payers.
The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce is committed to working cooperatively with government to better educate businesses about their legislative obligations and look forward to engaging with the government on this critical issue in future.
The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business in this region for 128 years. It represents more than 400 member businesses and advocates on their behalf at all levels of government on issues of political, economic and social importance.
Read letter submitted to the Municipality of the County of Colchester
Chamber Hosting Roundtable on Federal Agriculture Policy
Chamber Hosting Roundtable on Federal Agriculture Policy
The Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a roundtable this month seeking input on agriculture related issues.
The roundtable will be held on Aug. 29 at the Marigold Cultural Centre at 10 a.m.
Foothills MP John Barlow, Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food (Associate) and member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food., and Bow River MP Martin Shield will be in attendance.
Barlow and Shield are touring the Cumberland-Colchester region to meet with local stakeholders to discuss federal agriculture policy, such as its effectiveness, issues that are faced by industry and how it could be improved.
Pre-registration is required to attend this session, email [email protected] or call 902-895-6328.
Impact Investing Pilot Program Launches in Nova Scotia
(August 13, 2018 – Truro, NS) Social enterprises across the province of Nova Scotia may be eligible for a boost – thanks to an exciting, new pilot program being launched in partnership between Nova Scotia’s credit unions, their trade association, Atlantic Central and the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council.
Launching today, the Impact Investing pilot program will invest up to $25,000 into eligible Nova Scotia social enterprises who are making a real impact in their communities. Social enterprises can be a not-for-profit, a Co-operative or a privately owned enterprise that has a social mission and are delivering social impacts. Applicants must be providing a service that meets a need in their community or is helping under-served populations.
“The capital available through the program is intended as an investment in our communities” says Dianne Kelderman, President and CEO of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council. “The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council and credit unions have a long history of giving back to the places we call home, so this is a natural fit and an extension of what we already do”
Interested social enterprises are encouraged to apply for funding by visiting their local credit union or connecting with the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council. Enterprises must prove that they are financially sustainable and have support within their local area.
Applications for the pilot will remain open until September 17th with funding recipients being announced later this fall.
Documents and further information can be found at www.novascotia.coop
About Atlantic Central
Atlantic Central is the trade association that represents 50 member-owned credit unions across Atlantic Canada.
About the Nova Scotia-Cooperative Council
The Nova Scotia Co-operative Council is the economic development arm of the Nova Scotia Co-operative and Credit Union system. The Council represents 322 Co-operative businesses who employ over 11,000 Nova Scotians and have over $5.2 billion at work in our provincial economy.