Hello everyone,

We are asking that businesses who would like to participate in the “Shop Where Your Heart Is” envelope prize draw reach out to us. Upon inquiry, we will be sure to inform you of all of the rules and to supply you with “Shop Where Your Heart Is” envelopes. It is mid-October and we want to ensure we have the campaign rolling, especially for the upcoming months. 

If there are any questions regarding the prize draw or the campaign, please contact us.

Thank you for your support and don’t forget to encourage people to shop local this holiday season. 

Hello everyone,

For a four-month period, from October 2021 to the end of January 2022, the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is operating a “Shop Where Your Heart Is” Campaign. We will be doing so in partnership with the DBIA (Downtown Brockville Improvement Area) and the City of Brockville. Throughout the four-month duration of the Campaign, we will be encouraging consumers to shop locally to support and strengthen our local economy. 

The first initiative of the “Shop Where Your Heart Is” Campaign is a monthly prize draw that will run for the entire four-month period of the Campaign. Each month from the 1^st to the 29^th, consumers will have the opportunity to shop local and be rewarded for it. 

In order to be entered into a draw to win a prize at the end of each month, consumers must submit three receipts from purchases they have made at local businesses that month in an envelope provided by the Brockville Chamber. “Shop Where Your Heart Is” envelopes will be supplied to local businesses and you can ask to collect one upon your purchase. In the case that the business does not have envelopes provided by the Chamber, you can visit the Chamber office to submit your receipts and we will happily provide you with one. 

Envelopes containing your three receipts and contact information (name, phone number) can be dropped off at the mailbox located outside of the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce Office – 3 Market Street West, Suite #1, Brockville, Ontario. From there, envelopes will be collected and each person’s name will be entered into a prize draw. 

The deadline to submit your envelope containing three receipts from local purchases is the 29^th of each month. On the 1^st of each month, the winner of the prize draw from the previous month will be announced. 

If YOU would like to have “Shop Where Your Heart Is” envelopes in your store and to participate in this community-driven initiative then please make an inquiry. We ask that you inform consumers of the details required for the opportunity to be entered into a draw upon their purchase. This will allow for us to encourage them to continue shopping local in order to be rewarded.

Finally, if there are any questions, whether a business or consumer, please do not hesitate to contact Josh Hare (student@brockvillechamber.com) or Pamela Robertson (pjrobertson@brockvillechamber.com) at the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce office.

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce 

3 Market Street W, Suite #1, Brockville, ON, K6V 7L2

613-342-6553

As of today September 22, Ontario requires proof of vaccination to access select settings.

Download or print your vaccination receipt at ontario.ca/proofofvaccination

Businesses, access posters for your business at: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/.../2019_guidance.aspx...

Proof of vaccination requirements will come into affect in higher-risk indoor settings. The following areas will be affected:

• Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout);
• Nightclubs (including outdoor areas of the establishment);
• Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres;
• Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport;
• Sporting events;
• Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments;
• Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas;
• Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs;
• Racing venues (e.g., horse racing).

This requirement does not apply to outdoor setting areas and where people receive medical care, food from grocery stores and medical supplies.

Guidance for businesses is available from the Ontario Ministry of Health webpage. Your vaccine certificate can be downloaded using your health card.

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has now extended job-protected unpaid infectious disease emergency leave (IDEL) until January 1, 2022. To read more about the extension, visit the COVID-19 temporary change to the Employment Standards Act webpage.

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce and South Grenville Chamber of Commerce held a All Candidates Debate on Wednesday Sept 8 at the Brockville Art Centre for the riding of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. 

Unfortunately Lorraine Rekmans from the Green Party could not attend. 

Thank you to Sue Watts from Employment and Education Centre  for moderating the All Candidates Debate

Thank you to YourTV Brockville and Gananoque for broadcasting the event live on Sept 8 plus recording the event. 

The Brockville Vaccine clinic is MOVING. It will no longer be at the Memorial Centre. Starting Friday, August 27 it will be held at the Health Unit office in Brockville at 458 Laurier Blvd.

#DownSizing #AlmostThere #VaccinesSaveLives

The Brockville Vaccine clinic is MOVING. It will no longer be at the Memorial Centre. Starting Friday, August 27 it will be held at the Health Unit office in Brockville at 458 Laurier Blvd.

#DownSizing #AlmostThere #VaccinesSaveLives

Ride the River Route starting August 30th, 2021!

A new public transit service to popular employment areas from Brockville to Cardinal along County Road 2.

Starting in Brockville, the bus continues east and brings commuters to and from popular workplaces in Brockville, Augusta, Prescott, and Edwardsburgh Cardinal in a 2-hour loop, 6 times per weekday.

More details click this link 

MEDIA RELEASE 

August 20, 2021 

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of the businesses, organizations, and individuals who make a difference in our community. 

The President of the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce, Orlando Spicer, is proud to announce the recipient of this year’s President's Award, The 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation. 

The President’s Award, introduced in 2009 is an optional award that can be handed out at the discretion of the current Chamber President each year. The 1000 Islands CDC is the ninth recipient of this award. 

Established in 1990, the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation is a community-based, non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, staffed by a small team of dedicated professionals, and supported financially by the Government of Canada. They work cooperatively to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit in support of job creation through business loans and access to capital, counseling and mentoring of small businesses, and community economic development. 

The 1000 Islands CDC is perhaps best known for securing and investing tens of millions of dollars in local and regional economic development programming to assist public and private-sector job creation initiatives. This funding has been made available through multiple sources but primarily through the generosity of the Federal Economic Development Agency For Southern Ontario (FedDev). 

There is little doubt that the 1000 Islands CDC has always been in tune with and responsive to the needs of the community at large. Nobody can predict what priorities will emerge or what resources will be available but each of us has an obligation to do the best we can to help. Executive Director Tom Russell has regularly encouraged volunteerism and community engagement as a way of life and as a path to small-town survival. He continues to champion the causes of small business and, in the past several months, has worked with his team to secure several million dollars of support for those negatively impacted by Covid-19. All tolled, since the beginning of the pandemic, over $5 million dollars has been provided with more than half in non-repayable grants to help keep our community afloat. The 1000 Islands CDC is a small organization that has always delivered big results. 

We look forward to recognizing the 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation at the Awards of Excellence Gala being held on Thursday, September 30th at Sunnidell Golf & Learning Centre where we will also be announcing the recipients for: Business of The Year, Small Business of the Year, Community Excellence Award, the Tourism Award, and the Ben TeKamp Award. 

Contact: Orlando Spicer

President – Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce

613-342-6553 

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce represents more than 400 members and has been the community's business advocate since 1906. Our mission is through proactive leadership in advocacy and networking; we support and grow business to build a strong economic community.

The Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce names 

Zach Benson

The 2021 Young Professional of the Year

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of the businesses, organizations, and individuals who make a difference in our community.

We are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2021 Award of Excellence for Young Professional of the Year, Zach Benson.

Zach has operated his business for 3 years now and actively uses his platform to promote physical development as well as strong mental health while supporting young athletes. Mental health is currently at the forefront of many local discussions and Zach recently provided a free seminar for local youth on Mental Health Awareness. He provides a positive impact for the youth he trains, supports and mentors. He works tirelessly to promote lifelong health practices, creating confidence, promoting physical longevity, and encouraging the highest quality of life.

Zach partnered to create Podium 4Life Foundation to support the mindset and mental health of local youth. He has held fundraisers to provide financial assistance to local families looking to support their children in staying active and healthy. He continues to explore new partnerships with local clubs and sports organizations to grow athletics in our area including football, baseball, track, golf, basketball, soccer speed skating, and hockey.  Recently, the Brockville Soccer Club allowed him to use their fields for his athletic development camp as well as a brand new 7 on 7 touch football league. His new high-performance facility opens in mid-September!

He also offers an informative podcast—Athletic Insights, which highlights former professional athletes as well as local elite athletes as guest speakers.

We look forward to celebrating the Young Professional of the Year Award with Zach’s family and friends at the Awards of Excellence Gala being held on Thursday, September 30th at the Sunnidell Golf & Learning Centre. We will also be announcing the recipients for Business of The Year, Small Business of The Year, Community Excellence Award, the Tourism Award, and the Ben Tekamp Award.

Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance online or at the Chamber office. 

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce represents more than 400 members and has been the community's business advocate since 1906. Our mission is to foster a competitive business environment in the Brockville region that benefits the people of this region through the growth of jobs, wealth, and quality of life.

The Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce Names

Shelley Bacon

2021 Business Person of the Year

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of the businesses, organizations, and individuals who make a difference in our community.

We are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2021 Award of Excellence for Business Person of the Year, Shelley Bacon.

When Phillips Cables closed the doors to their Brockville plant in 1996, Shelley helped to lead a small group of employees to form their own company, specializing in armored ca­bles. The company has seen exponential financial growth and performance, going from $0 revenue to $200 million in sales in just twenty-five years. Now with 3 plants in Brockville and Prescott, employing nearly 300 fellow area citizens, Northern Cables is one of the most talked-about local business success stories this area has seen in the last fifty years!

Shelley shares his talents with the Professional Engineers of Ontario and also as the chair of the St. Lawrence Corridor Economic Development Commission. Shelley is instrumental in attracting new businesses to the area and helping scale up existing businesses.

He also works diligently each year with the Rideau Science Fair, encouraging young stu­dents to thrive for success; to follow their dreams, and to never give up.

We look forward to celebrating the Business Person of the Year Award with Shelley's fami­ly and friends at the Awards of Excellence Gala, being held on Thursday, September 30th at Sunnidell Golf & Learning Centre. We will also be announcing the recipients for Busi­ness of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Community Excellence, Tourism, and the Ben TeKamp Memorial Award.

Media Release

The Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce Announces the 2021 Awards of Excellence, Citizen of the Year

JoAnne Sytsma

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of the businesses, organizations and individuals who make a difference in our community.

We are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2021 Award of Excellence for Citizen of the Year, JoAnne Sytsma. JoAnne has made outstanding contributions benefiting the well-being of our community through her many long-term commitments with various organizations. She is a shining example of a person who is true to her convictions and steadfast to her values. She believes in our community, its potential, and the people who make up our community. She works sometimes as a leader, sometimes quietly behind the scenes, to make Brockville and area a better place for everyone. No matter what her formal role may be, she always works as a ‘champion’ for our community.

Hours upon hours of her time and energy have been dedicated to all aspects of service from administration, to logistics, marketing, promotion, fundraising, recruiting , networking, participation and making donations, all to better the lives of others in Brockville and the surrounding area, and to move forward a cause. She has given her all to organizations such as the Brockville & Area Food Bank, Girls Inc, Climb for CARE, Career Services, Brockville Power & Sail Squadron, Care & Share Golf Committee, Feed Ontario, 100 Women who care, Our Kenyan Kids as well as her own family business, Dedicated Shunting Services, and her newest investment, the Village Store in Athens, to mention only a few of her accomplishments.

JoAnne demonstrates a seemingly effortless ability to inspire and motivate others to her level of contribution. Her intense motivation, energetic commitment and giving nature continue to inspire others to participate and give. She is a determined, goal oriented person who brings others together for the greater good.

We look forward to celebrating Citizen of the Year, with JoAnne’s family and friends at the Awards of Excellence Gala being held (drive-in cinema style) on Thursday, September 30^th at the Sunnidell Golf & Learning Centre. We will also be announcing the recipients for: Business of The Year, Small Business of The Year, Community Excellence Award, the Tourism Award and the Ben TeKamp Award.

Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance at www.brockvillechamber.com

The Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce represents more than 400 members and has been the community's business advocate since 1906. Our mission is to foster a competitive business environment in the Brockville region that benefits the people of this region through the growth of jobs, wealth and quality of life.