Posts by growthzone
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Partners with Ford City Business Improvement Association
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Ford City Business Improvement Association. These two organizations represent hundreds of local businesses and are working together with the goal of providing even more savings and benefits to their respective members. “This is an exciting opportunity for Ford City BIA members to experience some of the benefits of Chamber membership” said Chamber CEO Rakesh Naidu. “It’s a great way for our organization to reach out to so many unique local businesses and introduce them to what the Chamber does, and how it can benefit our local small & medium sized businesses.”
“Ford City is a truly unique area of our city which is part of what makes our BIA so special.” said Ford City BIA Chair Shane Potvin. “By partnering with the Chamber, we will make our BIA an even better place to invest and grow a business while supporting the great businesses that already call our area home.”
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce reacts to 2024 Federal Budget
Windsor, April 18, 2024 — The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce approaches the 2024 Federal Budget with cautious optimism as it reflects on the government of Canada’s promises and priorities. The Chamber sees key benefits that will help our region while looking beyond to greater challenges of the local and national economy.
“We are pleased with some key elements that will be positive for our region” said Rakesh Naidu, Chamber President & CEO. “New funding to reduce the costs of electric vehicles and funding to develop charging infrastructure are a key part to making sure that the transition over to EVs is as smooth as possible for consumers and businesses.”
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Partners with Elavon to Provide Members with Merchant Services Savings
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Elavon to provide Chamber members with discounts for merchant Services. Elavon is an industry leader used by major retailers such as Costco Canada to provide payment and other merchant services to businesses and organizations.
“As more and more business is dependent upon the convenience of the cards in our wallets, this is an essential need for any small business that serve the public” said Chamber CEO Rakesh Naidu. “The Chamber is always looking for ways to provide members with great value for their membership and this new partnership will support our member businesses with greater savings on enhanced merchant services.”
Read MorePost-Pandemic Business Confidence Continues to Decline: Chamber Report
High inflation, interest rates and housing costs continue to drive pessimism in Ontario’s economic outlook, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) eighth annual Ontario Economic Report (OER). Despite this, many businesses surveyed remain confident in their own outlooks, with 53 percent expecting to grow.
“Business confidence in the economy has plunged from 29 percent at the height of the pandemic to just 13 percent two years later – driven by the rising costs of living and of doing business,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “There are bright spots – particularly in growth sectors such as mining – thanks to strategic investments, population growth and improved labour market resilience. In 2024 and beyond, productivity must be our priority.”
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Joins Chamber Perks App to Provide Additional Benefits to Members
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that it has joined the Chamber Perks App. This app provides Chamber members with the ability to share discounts and special offers with our community, as well as take advantage of our various member savings programs.
“The Chamber Perks App makes our Member Savings Programs and member-to-member deals more accessible than ever before” commented Chamber CEO Rakesh Naidu. “Having this app in your pocket means access to hundreds of potential deals and thousands of dollars’ worth of savings for our members and their employees.”
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Announce Business Excellence Awards Finalists
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce announced details of its signature event, the Business Excellence Awards (BEAs), presented by Windsor Star.
‘The Premier Business Event of the Year’, recognizing outstanding businesses, individuals and community groups, the 2024 Business Excellence Awards (BEAs) will be held in person Wednesday May 15th, starting at 6:00pm.
The event includes a Red Carpet Arrival, Awards Show in the Chrysler Theatre showcasing 12 categories, and an elegant dinner in the Skyline Ballroom at the St. Clair College Centre For the Arts.
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Launches First Annual Business Confidence Survey
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to introduce its inaugural Business Confidence Survey. It is reaching out to businesses throughout the region because for their insights on economic and policy matters. This survey is open to all businesses, regardless of Chamber membership status, and its primary objective is to pinpoint and give priority to the challenges the Windsor-Essex business community faces.
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Successfully Advocates for Businesses at Canadian Chamber AGM
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is delighted to have the support of Chamber network partners across Canada for its policy resolutions submitted for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s (CCC) 2023-2026 Policy Compendium. These resolutions are aimed at streamlining the immigration to workforce pipeline and updating tax provisions for commercial vehicles.
“After reaching out to our Chamber partners locally and across Southern Ontario, we are pleased to see support for our policy resolutions at the national level,” said Chamber CEO Rakesh Naidu. “The resolutions we put forward are designed to help bolster the Canadian workforce and address with the challenges businesses across the country are facing.”
Read MoreWage Increase Needed to Combat Affordability, but Predictability for Businesses is Key
Today, Rakesh Naidu, President & CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce released the following statement in reaction to the Government of Ontario’s minimum wage increase which came into effect on October 1, 2023.
Read MoreWindsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Responds to Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) Announcement
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased by the announcement that the Federal Government is giving businesses an extra year to repay their Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans.
“While these loans were a lifeline for businesses during the pandemic, many are still recovering from its effects,” said Chamber CEO Rakesh Naidu. “In the wake of COVID-19, many businesses are still dealing with high inflation, labour shortages, and supply chain challenges. The CEBA loan repayment at the end of the year was a challenge that many businesses might not have been able to handle.”
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