IN THIS ISSUE               15 FEB 2008

Message From Michael Chong, MP
Roberta Reports
New Members

Chamber Events

Minding Our Business

The Business EYE newsletter has been replaced by a new publication called Minding Our Business - published by The Wellington Advertiser, since January 2008.  This publication is being mailed to all businesses registerd with Canada Post within Centre Wellington.  If you have a 'No Junk Mail' agreement with the post office you are missing out on some great information.
If you haven't received a copy, you can pick one up at the Chamber Office (400 Tower Street South, Fergus) or at The Fergus BIA office, Elora BIA office or The Wellington Advertiser office.
Check it out!

Networking Breakfast

Wednesday, February 27th, 7:30 am at the Elora Mill Inn.  While attending this breakfast your eyes will sparkle as you see the business case for smoothing out your rough diamonds and keeping your eye on the prize.  Carly O’Brien, Director & Lead Facilitator of The Achievement Centre – Excel  will calculate with you, the cost of underperformance. In the coming economic times, those who know how to ‘Mine the Riches from Within’ will grow and prosper.  Seating is limited, so book soon!
Cost is $15.00 for Members and $20.00 for Future Members.
RSVP chamber@cwchamber.ca or call 519-843-5140 by Febraury 22nd.

Business After Hours

Wednesday, March 5th, 5:30 pm you are invited to join us at the Wellington County Museum for a presentation by Libby Walker on 'If These Walls Could Speak".  The exhibit, featured throughout the Museum, provides glimpses into the lives and activities of the people who lived, worked or visited here.
There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP to Libby Walker at libbyw@wcm.on.ca or call 519-846-0916 by February 29th.

Community Events

Guelph Wellington Small Business Enterprise Centre

Will be hosting an 'E-biz Forum' on Tuesday, March 4th at Pike Lake Golf and Country Club (located on Road #89 between Mount Forest and Harriston).  Between 12:30 pm and 5:00 pm
Keynote Speaker is Grant LeClerc of CNW TECH talking about e-business.  There will be break out sessions at 2 and 3:30 with your choice of session a) or b).
Nominal cost of $25 per person.  If you register by Feb. 22nd you will receive a $5 discount!
For more informatin contact Business Enterprise Centre at 519-826-4701 or call toll free 1-866-744-8344 or visit www.guelphbusiness.com

Sensational Elora 

A Festival of the Senses - an information session to find out about this delightful event and how you or your group can become involved is going to happen on Tuesday, February 19th , 7:00 pm at Elora Centre for the Arts.  This is a new and exciting festival for October 2008. 
If you haven't RSVP'd already please do so by email to sensationalelora@gmail.com.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington Bowl for Kids

Sunday, February 24th at Woodlawn Bowl, Guelph. 
This is a fun event for family and friends to join and raise funds for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Centre Wellington.  Great Prizes are also available.
For pledge sheets and information call 519-787-0106

Royal Canadian Legion Spaghetti Dinner

After bowling and raising funds for Big Brothers and Big Sisters, you can relax and enjoy a hearty spaghetti dinner at the Fergus Legion!  Doors open at 4:30 pm and one sitting of dinner at 5:30 pm.  Adults $10.00, Children 5-10 $5.00.
Tickets available at Royal Canadian Legion, Blair Street, Fergus or by calling 519-843-2345

Updates from OCC and CCC

Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) click on http://occ.on.ca

Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) click on www.chamber.ca

Message From Michael Chong, MP

A common request in our office is for information about financial assistance for small businesses from the federal government.

The Government of Canada offers a range of services available to assist entrepreneurs which you may find useful.  To begin, I suggest that you visit the Canada Business website, at www.canadabusiness.gc.ca , for a comprehensive directory of information on federal, provincial and municipal government services, business information guides, programs and regulations.

Industry Canada has developed a tool to help entrepreneurs find appropriate sources of funding.  The Sources of Financing website, at www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/sources , enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to interactively access objective information on appropriate forms of public and private sector sources of debt and equity financing.  This information is provided through a searchable database that generates a comprehensive customized report for you and your business on relevant sources of financing.

Industry Canada also delivers the Canada Small Business Financing (CSBF) Program to help small businesses obtain term loans of up to $250,000 to finance the purchase or improvement of fixed assets such as land, buildings and/or equipment.  Small businesses may apply for CSBF loans by presenting their business proposals directly to the lender of their choice.  There are over 1,300 eligible lenders (including all major chartered banks and credit unions).  Financial institutions, however, are responsible for meeting with entrepreneurs, reviewing their business plans and for making all decisions related to loans.  For more information on the CSBF program, please consult www.ic.gc.ca/csbfa .

For businesses in designated rural areas, like Centre Wellington, Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) can provide financial assistance (loans, loan guarantees and equity investments), technical advice, counselling, information and referrals.  Locally we are fortunate enough to have The Wellington-Waterloo Community Futures Development Corporation (WWCFDC) office located in Elora.  www.wwcfdc.com.  The staff is excellent to work with and their phone number is (519) 846-9839

If you have any further questions or if you need assistance with any Federal issues, please contact me through our Fergus Constituency Office. 519-843-7344 or chongm@parl.gc.ca

Roberta Reports

My name is Roberta Scarrow and many of you know me, at least in name, by the emails I send to the Chamber Membership.  Welcome to my first column.  I am looking forward to the next few months of activity at the Chamber in my role as Interim General Manager.  I welcome any ideas or suggestions that you may have to help us provide a more beneficial service to you. 

As many of you know Deb Dalziel has taken a temporary assignment to the Township Tourism effort for the next 3 months.  We will definitely miss her bubbly presence in the office.  Have fun at the Township Deb!

The end of January also drew to a close the long-term employment of Kym Burton (Information Services Coordinator).  After 9 years, Kym won the Administrative Assistant position for Mapleton Township – so while we will miss her very much – we send a bunch of good wishes her way as her career path unfolds.

With the valuable assistance of our front line Information Services team in Fergus - Eleanor Pearce (Tuesday and Thursday), Margaret Molitor (Monday) and Robyn Mulder (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) and the weekend staff of Michael, Brendan and Tara – we will carry on and continue to provide excellent service to the public.  This group truly is the champion for business and visitor information services to Centre Wellington.  Drop by and visit sometime; you might be surprised at what information we have to offer.

As our Chamber membership continues to grow we want to know what you think about the services the Chamber provides.  If you are a new member or a renewing member of the Chamber and you want to tell us about your business – please take fingers to keyboard (or pen to paper) and let us know.  We encourage you to write about the item you are passionate about – for example tax planning – you may want to write about some common mistakes that small businesses make or suggestions for how businesses can maximize their taxes.  You are welcome to add a tagline something like…for more information about this contact your tax professional or I.M. TheAuthor at 519-xxx-xxxx.  Please keep your article to a maximum of 350 words.  If you are so inclined, you are welcome to write a series of articles.  We want to know about your business and the great family of businesses that contribute to the Centre Wellington economy!  Contact Roberta at the Chamber 519-843-5140 or email me at rscarrow@cwchamber.ca

You’ll be hearing lots more about the Awards of Excellence event on Thursday, April 24th with the theme ‘Centre Wellington – Working in Concert!’ – music and working together are magical.  Tickets will be available sometime in mid-March.

Get ready to tee-off on Wednesday, June 11th at Ariss Valley our 10th Annual Golf Day will be bigger and better than ever.  The registration fee will include a box lunch, dinner, golf carts and 18 holes of golf.  What a great way to spend the day.  We have a new team leading the Golf Committee and they have some great ideas.  Dan Allen and Gary Beck will soon be looking for Hole Sponsors, team registrations, etc.  We extend thanks to Terry Reeves of Howes and Reeves, who have generously agreed to supply a Hole-In-One vehicle for our golf day.

Remember that shopping local, whenever possible, supports businesses like yours in Centre Wellington!

New Members
 

The Garden's Edge
John and Marg Gollinger are happy to announce the opening of their new venture.  They will install decorative, durable, concrete edging and walkways quickly and cleanly for residential or commercial landscape projects.  A variety of styles, patterns and colours are available as well as walkways and lighted curbing.  Free consultation and estimates.
7189 14th Line, Alma, ON  N0B 1A0
519-846-5574
Email info@the-gardens-edge.com
Website www.the-gardens-edge.com

Hooligans Cafe
Kathie Little has been open for 9 months now and is pleased to have earned the Eat Smart Award of Excellence.  They offer Fair Trade Organic Coffee, cappuccinos, light lunches and great desserts. Eat in or take away.   Wheelchair accessible and abundant parking with High Speed Internet access all located in a cozy environment.
105 Queen Street West, Fergus, ON  N1M 1S6
Phone 519-787-2100   Fax 519-787-2105