Port Colborne - Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce

Business After 5: April 27 2011 at Pro Style Flooring

Chamber members and guests are welcome to register to attend our next BA5 event taking place on April 27.

LOCATION:  ProStyle Flooring

ADDRESS: 427 Main Street East ( just past the Highway 140 intersection)

WHEN: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Please call or email the PCW office to register to attend:905-834-9765 or office@pcwchamber.com

Chamber Members Making News

• Eddie Chau / Mar 31, 2011

Port Colborne’s Downtown BIA is gung-ho about promoting business.

But when city council quietly approved a zoning amendment to permit four ground-floor dwellings in the Winchester Arms restaurant it concerned some of the BIA’s members.
“The BIA is about promoting the downtown area as a tourist area,” said BIA chair Bob Porter. “We have strong feelings in preventing such permissions (for residential dwellings) to be granted.”
The zoning amendment in question involves 239 King Street, the site of the Winchester Arms. In fall 2009 Winchester Arms owner John Lee approached the city for an zoning bylaw amendment to permit the construction of 14 accessory apartments in the building in an effort to boost his struggling business.
At the time the proposed rezoning was met with objection from business owners and some members of council. This year, an amendment was made to the original plan to construct four accessory units on the ground floor and one in the basement.
The remaining 189 square meters of space will continue to be used for the restaurant a report stated.
“Concerns were brought up at our last BIA meeting about it,” Porter said of the issue. “St. Catharines council had passed a bylaw which prohibits construction of ground floor dwellings.  We hope Port Colborne could do the same.”
Porter noted an incident two years ago when city council turned down an application for the development of a residential unit on the ground floor of a commercial building on King Street. He doesn’t understand how one can be turned down while another was approved.
Porter said a letter will be sent to council next week regarding the concerns.
City planning director Dan Aquilina said the proponent submitted a revised plan in 2010 with the reduction in room numbers. The revised proposal conformed with the region’s policy plan along with the city’s official plan.
Ward 3 Coun. Bea Kenny was a member of the last council which was concerned about the original development plans. While Kenny was part of current council which voted in favour of the new proposal, she doesn’t want to see prime commercial property turned into residential units.
“In my opinion this does not fit in what we want for our downtown business district.”
Ward 1 Coun. Dave Elliott said there is a current bylaw which does not permit residential units on ground floor of commercial operations. But for any planning application a zoning amendment can be requested by a developer.
“Each case has to be judged for its own merits,” Elliott said. “Because there’s still a restaurant on the ground floor, it’s still has commercial purposes. That’s why I supported it.”
As a council representative on the downtown BIA, Elliott said had he known the concerns of the organization, he would’ve handled the decision differently.
Elliott said he will consider the BIA’s perspective for future applications.

Niagara Board of Trade established

By MARYANNE FIRTH/Tribune Staff Posted March 27 2011

WELLAND — Though it hasn't spoken up yet, one voice for Niagara businesses has already been created.

Niagara chambers of commerce have been working in unity to create the Niagara Board of Trade, an organization that will address regional issues, said Dolores Fabiano.

The executive director of Welland-Pelham Chamber of Commerce said that while Niagara's chambers have long been discussing regional issues, the board of trade offers a more "structured form to provide that one voice."

News of the Niagara Board of Trade broke shortly after it was announced a business advocacy group had gained approval from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to incorporate as the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce. The new chamber will focus on issues that affect businesses across Niagara, while operating in concert with local municipal chambers.

The municipal chambers "have been meeting and will continue meeting" to develop the board of trade, Fabiano said.

The next meeting between Niagara chambers to discuss moving forward with the initiative will take place on April 5, she added.

Though she's met members of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Fabiano said she knows little detail about how the newly formed group will operate.

"From what I've read it does seem like a duplication of services," she said.

"Certainly we don't need two."

When it comes to the need to address regional issues in Niagara, there's a "sense that all chambers in the region are on the same page," she said.

"Moving forward with one voice is good, in fact it's great … We're thrilled we're at the point where we can provide structure and form to that."

No representatives from Port Colborne-Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce could be reached for comment on Friday.

mfirth@wellandtribune.ca

Chamber Members Making News

Grit calling close 3-way Welland riding race

Federal election to take place in May

By ALLAN BENNER/Tribune Staff / Updated 1 hour ago

WELLAND — Malcolm Allen says a "very serious charge" of contempt of Parliament against the federal Conservative government ultimately led to its downfall.

And now, the New Democratic Party MP for Welland riding is ready to fight for the opportunity to continue to represent his constituents after the next federal election, likely to be held May 2 or May 9.

"The House of Commons is our parliamentary institution for all Canadians, which deserves to be respected," Allen told The Tribune Friday, shortly after a non-confidence motion was passed in Ottawa by a vote of 156 to 145.

"Clearly, (the Conservatives) were found to be lacking in respect for the House itself." ( for the full story click here )

Chamber Members Making News

Salvation Army Thrift Stores Accept E-trash

As of April 1, 37 Salvation Army thrift stores across Ontario, a number of them in greater Toronto, will recycle old electronic and computer hardware.

The Salvation Army is part of a new environmental program, run by the Ontario Electronic Stewardship ministry association, which is dedicated to diverting e-waste from landfills. OES will pay transportation and recycling expenses as well as an incentive fee of $165 per tonne to The Salvation Army.

Salvation Army thrift stores have been certified to collect TVs, computers, mice, keyboards, monitors, printers and fax machines.

“This is exciting and is an extension of what Salvation Army thrift stores are doing in lower mainland, B.C.,” says John Kershaw, managing director of Salvation Army National Recycling Operations.

The Salvation Army is deeply embedded in community service and this partnership will allow us to channel more resources into existing programs and services.

 

State of the Region Address

Regional Chair, Gary Burroughs gave his "State of the Region" speech to highlight the successes and issues facing the region.

This year's speech was on March, 25, 2011 - held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, at White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa.

Watch the Speech on Cogeco

• Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 7 p.m. (Not in Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie)
• Sunday, April 3 - 5 p.m.

Introduction and Welcome

It is my pleasure to be here today, with so many guests from all corners of Niagara. With this many people gathered to hear my remarks, I certainly hope I don't disappoint. First of all, I would like to thank all of the Chambers of Commerce for hosting this opportunity to share my perspective on Niagara, and where I see the Region in the year ahead. I would also like to acknowledge the many members of Regional Council in the audience today - seems to me like we have enough representation to hold a Council meeting here. I see that most of them are seated together and I hope they are listening attentively - I am sure there will be questions later. (for full speech, click here State-of-the-region-address-march-2011 )

 

Economic development task force set

By MATTHEW VAN DONGEN/QMI Agency Posted March 25 2011

THOROLD —

Niagara's regional chairman has created a task force and set a 30-day deadline to come up with possible solutions to the region's never-ending economic development debate.

Gary Burroughs caught some regional councillors off-guard Thursday night by announcing the creation of a small task force of politicians, staffers and business leaders to tackle the uncertain future of Niagara Economic Development Corp.
Council met for a brainstorming session March 10 to talk about the fate of the beleaguered agency, which some politicians want to fold into a regional department, or axe altogether.
Burroughs said Thursday he wanted to inject some urgency into a debate that has dragged on over more than two years.
"You can blame me for the task force," he said after the meeting. "I see this as a way to move forward. Economic development can't wait for another term."

Burrough said the task force members would "build on the themes" identified by a consultant in the March 10 planning session.
Those themes include:
Agreement that the current regional economic development system isn't working.
"Unified action" is needed, whether through a single entity or some other means of "working across jurisdictions."
Create a "one-stop shop" to support business.
The need to diversify Niagara's economy.
Burroughs emphasized the task force wouldn't be expected "to come up with all the answers." But he said he's hoping the group will come up with possible "objectives" for regional economic development that regional council could chew on.
Some councillors said the task force was too small, and too soon.
St. Catharines Coun. Bruce Timms said council needed more than a "nice imagination session" to voice concerns about economic development. He said any task force needs to take into account councillors' concerns, as well as those of city economic development organizations, before attempting to come up with solutions.
Mayor Brian McMullan called the move a "good first step" and "positive from the perspective that we really need to get a move on."
The proposed task force includes two regional staff members, Couns. Debbie Zimmerman and Al Caslin and business representatives John Fisher of Walker Industries and Meridian Credit Union president Sean Jackson.

New website showcases Niagara's higher-level careers

By JULIE GRECO , STANDARD STAFF
March 25 2011

Niagara's professional, management and executive career opportunities are now only a click away.

Through Careersniagara.ca,the Niagara Workplace Planning Board hopes to connect high-level professional career-seekers with Niagara employers.

The website was launched Thursday at Niagara Employment Expo. Vanessa Bilenduke, co-ordinator of the event, said the site addresses a challenge commonly faced by dual-career families.

"If a husband gets a really great position in Niagara and they want to move here, it often depends on where his wife can also get a position in her professional field," she said.

"A lot of people have to turn down positions and turn down moving to Niagara because the (needs of ) dual-career families aren't being met." Brent Stirling, sales and marketing co-ordinator for careersniagara.ca,said senior-level, white-collar positions can be difficult to find in the region.

"It is tough in Niagara to find those types of jobs.... There are fewer of them. But we're doing our best to get them on the website and get the talent brought back to Niagara," he said.

Stirling also noted that local employers find it challenging to fill these positions.

"Top-level businesses are finding a disconnect between the jobs that are available in Niagara and the job seekers," he said.

"We're hoping that we've created an avenue for these people to find those jobs through careersniagara.ca

Niagara businesses gaining a new voice

By PETER DOWNS , STANDARD STAFF /March 25 2011

Not everyone in the region may want to hear it, but Niagara businesses have a new official voice.
A fledgling business advocacy group has been granted approval by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to incorporate itself as the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.

The new chamber aims to operate in concert with local municipal chambers, but focus on issues that affect businesses across the peninsula, said one of the key players behind the initiative.

"We're all looking after our own little piece of the pie. The problem is the pie's shrinking and we need to work together or we're dead in the water," said Mike Watt, vice-president of Walker Industries.

"Parochialism is really killing us here and we need to act together."

But not all local chambers are welcoming the addition of a regional organization.

The Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce has questioned whether the new group will help businesses or create another layer of bureaucracy that will make matters more complicated.

"If you start up another group, the message could get diluted," Niagara Falls chamber chairman Tim Parker said.
"We have to formulate a plan, outlining the goals and the finances behind it."

Watt acknowledged the initiative got a "mixed" reception from local chambers during discussions over the past year or so of planning.

"A lot of the chambers are for it and a couple of them are not quite sure whether they want to be part of this or not," he said.

The St. Catharines-Thorold Chamber of Commerce is convinced the new body will help represent business interests across Niagara.

"I really believe the biggest issues facing businesses in Niagara are regional issues," chamber chai rman Dave DiFelice said, pointing to taxation and economic development as examples.
"They're issues that are very difficult for municipal chambers to address."
The regional chamber will undoubtedly change the playing field for the local chamber, but it's too early to say how, DiFelice said.
"I think it will cause us to evolve, exactly how is a question we'll have to get some direction from our membership on," he said.

The new chamber is not meant to replace local groups, but to complement them, said founding member Steven Megannety.

"We do not want to take away their roles because we think they do their functions ... so well. Why would you want to change that?"
Attracting jobs to Niagara -- regardless of which municipality will land them -- will be a key focus of the organization, said Megannety.

"We don't care where the jobs go," he said. "We need to have more economic development throughout the region. That's the key to the adventure."
-- With files from QMI Agency

Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce off the ground
Thursday, Mar 24, 7:35am By:Bullet Media

The Steering Committee for the new regional business advocacy group today announced it has incorporated a new organization after gaining the approval of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for the creation of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.

  "We have been in discussions with the local Chamber network for the past eight months," said Steven Megannety, a founding member of the new chamber.

"We understand clearly how each Chamber perceives their role within their respective municipality, and we are not interested in challenging that. We are, however, committed to building a regional voice for business in Niagara."

The announcement of the formation of a regional business association last week has struck a cord with many business owners, entrepreneurs and regional associations, Megannety said in a release.

"We received a lot of positive feedback," added Mike Watt, Vice President of Walker Environmental.

"It's time for a stronger regional business voice – and that message has resonated with businesses."

In the coming weeks, the Steering Committee will be releasing details of its organizational structure, continuing its meetings with municipal chambers, and appointing a board of directors.

Strength in Numbers

Port Chamber urges more cooperation in southern tier

 Eddie Chau, NiagaraThisWeek staff /Mar 10, 201

With more members there is a stronger voice.

That’s what Port Colborne-Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce president Mike Sload believes when it comes to working together for the better of the community. At the chamber’s annual general meeting March 9, Sloat said members from several chambers in the southern tier recently got together in order to get people involved at a committee level. 
“The stronger we are the better we are,” Sloat said.  
At the AGM, various members discussed what the chamber has in store for the upcoming year.
Alfred Kiers of RailRoad Gardens discussed the topic of various organizations wanting support from the chamber for functions. Kiers noted any petitions brought forth by any organization should be brought to his attention on behalf of the chamber.
Kiers noted a working relationship between the chamber and the City of Port Colborne. He said the chamber will host a Meet The Reps night in the future which will give members a chance to meet with the mayor and council of each municipality.
“It would be a great chance to discuss issues with them,” Kiers said. 
Tracy MacLeod of Davies on Clarence said the Chamber will have a revamped and redesigned newsletter which is published quarterly. 
“I’ve looked at other chambers to see what they’re doing (with their newsletters),” said MacLeod. “It will have a totally different look.”

Port chamber AGM. The Port Colborne Chamber of Commerce recently met at its Annual General Meeting March 9. Pictured are, back row: Bill Bouck, Alfred Kiers, Stephen Thompson, Patti Stirling, Dave Elliott, Dave Hawkins, John Mayne and Bob Porter. Front row: Betty Konc, Lynn Goulet, president Mike Sloat, Tracy MacLeod, Midge Butson, Donna Martens Gamm and Josh Cottrill. Absent are Frank Dedonato, Sandra Summerhayes, Greg Poisson and Bob Peressotti.

Patti Stirling of StirlingWorks said she’s working on an updated website for the future. Stirling said she was looking for chamber members to help with the website and hoped they would join the website committee.
Unlike other websites she’s seen where members have to login with a password, Stirling hoped the Port Colborne-Wainfleet chamber website will be user friendly.
One of the chamber’s signature events is Lobsters and Laughs, a major fundraiser for the organization. MacLeod said the event will take place this year on June 19 at Sherkston Shores.
MacLeod said details are still being finalized but it will be a success.
Another signature event is the Chamber’s annual golf tournament. Royal LePage representative and Ward 1 Coun. Dave Elliott said this year’s event will take place tentatively on June 13 at the Port Colborne Golf and Country Club. 
“Last year’s event was well run,” Elliott said. “Last year we charged $85. We have to push the price to be under $100.”
Elliott said once the admission price is above $100 you won’t attract golfers. He said $85 admission is in keeping with the price of regular golf tournaments in the area.
Proceeds from this year’s tournament will benefit Port Cares and Community Living.