Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce elects new officers
March 15, 2019
News release
Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce elects new officers
TRURO – The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated 129 years serving the business community at its Annual General Meeting held March 13 in Truro. A new slate of officers and directors was elected by the membership which will see Ron Smith, Manager of Business Development, Old Fletcher Farm Property Limited, a division of Masstown Market Limited, step into the president’s seat.
More than 80 people attended the meeting where Smith spoke about the positive growth across many sectors taking place in this region
“Our community shows continuous improvements and growth in commercial, industrial, residential and social infrastructure,” said Smith. “The last number of years have shown large-scale investment in both public and private construction projects from our rural areas to our revitalized downtown cores. Each project offering more and more opportunity to retain and attract people to live and work in Colchester County.”
Smith has served on the Chamber board for four years and was elected to serve a one-year term as President. He said during the next year the Chamber will continue to focus on membership growth and supporting the needs of business.
“Serving with the Chamber has presented the privilege to meet one-on-one, in groups and en masse many of our local business people, community proponents and interested citizens, all willing to work together and strive for a more inclusive and prosperous Truro Colchester,” said the newly elected President. “It is amazing to see behind the scenes what many of our local business people have contributed in time, resources and pure financial gifts to help this area prosper, often below the radar and without acknowledgement.”
Outgoing president Joanne McRae, CPA, CA, Senior Manager with MNP, said there were many Chamber accomplishments to celebrate during the past year and looks forward to continuing her work with the board in the role of Past President.
“During the past year, we have continued to collaborate with government of all levels, local businesses and organizations, the Truro and Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity, and other Chambers in the region to ensure the voices of our members and businesses from the area are heard and their interests are protected as our region continues to grow and flourish,” said McRae.
At the end of 2018 there were 431 members in the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce making it the largest Chamber in Nova Scotia outside metro.
Other newly elected executive and directors are: Vice-President Mathew Mossman, Sales Manager at Cat Country and Big Dog Radio; Treasurer Amanda Pothier, owner of Atkinson’s Accounting; Solicitor George White, Patterson Law; and directors Dr. David Gray, Dean of Dalhousie Agricultural Campus; Karen Baillie, Elegant Steps; Karen Gillespie, Nova Scotia Community College; Bob Brown Lynds Industrial Services; Nancy Johnstone, Lock and Stone Property Management; Peter Thiesen Pulse Property Services; Connie Baird, Party Time Rentals and Sam Abushenaf, PuroClean Restorations; David Ritcey, Community Credit Union; Julie Taylor, Skin Decision; Trina Langille, Warmth By Design; and Phil Smith, Home Hardware Stores Ltd., Eastern Dealer Support Center.
The Chamber’s Annual Awards and Dinner Gala will be held on April 25 at the Holiday Inn.
The Chamber has issued a call for nominations for BDC Business Person of the Year and the Community Credit Union Business Excellence awards.
To reserve a seat at the gala or for more information about award nominations, call 902-895-6328 or email [email protected]. Deadline for nominations is April 1, 2019.
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Newly elected executive and directors are, front row, from left, Treasurer Amanda Pothier, owner of Atkinson’s Accounting; Solicitor George White, Patterson Law; Past President Joanne McRae, CPA, CA, Senior Manager with MNP; Ron Smith, Manager of Business Development, Old Fletcher Farm Property Limited, a division of Masstown Market Limited; Vice-President Mathew Mossman, Sales Manager at Cat Country and Big Dog Radio, and Executive Director Sherry Martell. Second row, Connie Baird, Party Time Rentals; Nancy Johnstone, Lock and Stone Property Management; Phil Smith, Home Hardware Stores Ltd., Eastern Dealer Support Center; Peter Thiesen, Pulse Property Services; Karen Gillespie, Truro Campus, Nova Scotia Community College; and David Ritcey, Community Credit Union.
Other elected directors are: Dr. David Gray, Dean of Dalhousie Agricultural Campus; Karen Baillie, Elegant Steps; Bob Brown Lynds Industrial Services; and Sam Abushenaf, PuroClean Restorations; Julie Taylor, Skin Decision; Trina Langille, Warmth By Design. PHOTO BY BRENNAN GILLIS
2019 Chamber AGM Package
Download material for the 2019 Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce AGM
TCCC-AGM 2019 SupportingDocuments
Chamber hosting Spring Ice Breaker at Raging Crow
Join us at our new Spring Ice Breaker social event!
March 26th, 4-6pm. Raging Crow Distillery, North River
To encourage shopping local, we are welcoming members currently offering a Member-to-Member (M2M) discount to bring information or promotional materials about their offers to showcase at this special social event. This will give members a chance to “break the ice” with one-on-one conversations and learn about current offers while having the opportunity to take a break from winter weather and network.
It is also an opportunity for members considering participation in the program to find out more details.
Raging Crow Distillery will be providing samples of their products and light snacks will be provided.
This is a free event open to Members (including all employees) and their friends.
Come break the ice with us to learn more about other businesses in the network that can help you save money and strengthen your local business connections.
RSVP to [email protected] by March 20. M2M participants should let us know in advance if they require table space.
Share Your Bright Idea!
Young entrepreneurs (under age 25) are invited to apply to the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce to showcase their products and services at the WTH Youth Expo, April 27, 2019
Selected applicants will join us at the Chamber's expo booth.
How to apply: Send us a 200-word essay detailing your business. It may be submitted here, emailed to [email protected], dropped off or mailed to 605 Prince St., Truro, NS, B2N 1G2
Deadline: April 5, 2019
Those selected will be contacted by a member of the Chamber's Youth Engagement, Investment and Retention Committee by April 12 to confirm participation.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION
Chamber AGM March 13
The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce will host its AGM on March 13. The official meeting will be held at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon at noon.
We are very pleased to have Bill Hay, Chairman of Trucorp Investments Limited as our luncheon guest speaker.
To register for the AGM (no cost) and/or lunch*, $25+hst ** for members, call (902) 895-6328 or email [email protected].
*Please advise of any dietary restrictions, **Cost of luncheon for non-members, $30+hst
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
advocacy-slider2
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.
