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Thursday, June 24, 2021
Lethbridge Chamber receives federal shop local funds
The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce will receive over $139,000 of federal shop local funding — funding that will expand the chamber’s ongoing efforts to encourage patronage of community businesses. “This funding represents an opportunity to launch the biggest campaign that we’ve ever had to promote and support local businesses in a real and tangible way,” says Cyndi Vos, CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. “Thanks to this funding from the federal government, we now have four brand new initiatives
Monday, June 21, 2021Lethbridge Chamber applauds Provinces’ reopening plan.
Lethbridge is back in business on July 1! After 15 months of uncertainty, starts and stops, and difficulty for all Albertans, the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce is excited to see an end to Covid-19 restrictions in the province as of July 1. “We recognize that this pandemic is not over, and that we in Alberta are extremely lucky at the speed by which we’ve seen vaccines roll out,” said Cyndi Vos, CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. “Vaccination is clearly working. Lethbridge has had a high rate of
Monday, May 31, 2021Lethbridge Chamber has policy success at Alberta Chambers of Commerce AGM
The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce saw six policies adopted at the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Annual General Meeting, held over two days on Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28. The six adopted policies were: Strengthening Alberta’s Electricity Transmission Intertie Infrastructure, The Business Cost of Cybercrime, A Pathway to Fixing the Affordable Housing Crisis in Alberta, A Systems Approach for Provincial Transportation, Small Scale Renewable Energy, and Environment and Parks Water for
Tuesday, May 18, 2021Lethbridge Chamber, Alberta Chambers and Alberta Health helping businesses access COVID-19 testing
Effective May 17, 2021 the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce will be participating in a one-of-a-kind partnership with Alberta Chambers of Commerce and Alberta Health that will make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to access rapid testing kits. Alberta is the first province in Western Canada to offer rapid antigen testing kits to all chambers of commerce provincewide to help identify pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic cases and isolate them early. This program allows local businesses to
Wednesday, May 12, 2021Helping local businesses access COVID-19 testing
The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce will be participating in a one-of-a-kind partnership with Alberta Chambers of Commerce that will make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to access rapid testing kits. Alberta is the first province in Western Canada to offer rapid antigen testing kits to all chambers of commerce provincewide to help identify pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic cases and isolate them early. This program allows LOCAL businesses to work directly with LOCAL Lethbridge Chamber staff.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021Chamber raises questions about vaccine rollout
Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout has lagged behind other developed nations, risking economic recovery both in the short- and long-term. Bloomberg News figures suggest that Canada had administered roughly five vaccine doses per 100 people, compared to 31 in the United Kingdom, 23 in the United States, and 7 in Germany. "Business survival and economic recovery hinges on a fast and effective vaccine rollout," said Cyndi Vos, CEO, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. "The more business that close, the fewer jobs
Wednesday, March 03, 2021Government of Alberta Announces Scaled Back Stage 2 Reopening
The Alberta government announced Monday that the Stage 2 reopening plan would start with a scaled-back approach to easing restrictions. Initially Stage 2 included the potential reopening of facilities that included banquet halls, community halls and conference centres, and the further reopening of fitness facilities. Instead, Premier Jason Kenney, Health Minister Tyler Shandro and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said on Monday that they would begin with libraries reopening at 15% of fire
Monday, March 01, 2021Chamber reacts to provincial budget
Lethbridge, AB - The provincial budget, tabled last week by Finance Minister Travis Toews, displays the severe hit our economy took over the past year, and simultaneously the need for bold thinking as we chart our path towards a full, inclusive recovery. In fiscal year 2021-22, the provincial deficit is expected to hit $18.2 billion and the total debt to reach $115.8 billion. “COVID-19 remains a threat to the health of our communities and our businesses, and we were encouraged to see short-and-medium term
Thursday, February 18, 2021Alberta adds pandemic supports for struggling businesses
The Alberta government announced yesterday that they will be making an additional $10,000 available to small- and medium-sized businesses that have seen severe revenue drops because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses that show a 60 per cent reduction in revenue will be eligible to be granted 15 per cent of their typical monthly income, up to a maximum of $10,000. Applications for a piece of that funding will open in April. The support is available to companies with fewer than 500 employees and does
Monday, February 01, 2021Chamber welcomes more certainty for businesses
For Immediate Release Lethbridge, AB - The Government of Alberta announced a phased approach to relaunching the economy, including specific hospitalization counts that would trigger reduced restrictions on job creators and families on Friday, January 29, 2021. “The Lethbridge Chamber is pleased to hear that the Government of Alberta is continuing a thoughtful, phased-in approach that protects job creators as well as the consumers who rely on their services,” says Cyndi Vos, CEO, Lethbridge Chamber of
Monday, January 18, 2021Chamber Applauds Expanded Supports and a Measured Reopening
The Government of Alberta will ease some public health restrictions starting today, Monday, January 18, 2021. The Province will allow businesses offering personal and wellness services to reopen by appointment only. In addition, up to 10 people will be allowed to gather outdoors, and up to 20 people will be allowed to attend funerals. “We are pleased to see these restrictions being lifted and people getting back to work. This is great news for small businesses, at a time when they desperately need it,”
Thursday, November 12, 2020Chamber welcomes launch of Universal Broadband Fund
Lethbridge, AB - The Government of Canada announced the launch of the Universal Broadband Fund yesterday – a critical step in the delivery of better broadband access throughout the country.The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce has been working with the City of Lethbridge to advance broadband coverage for several years. The Chamber’s policy “Digital Broadband the Key to Economic Prosperity” which spoke to the need for Canadian communities with weak or no connectivity online, especially in rural and remote
Thursday, November 05, 2020Several incentive programs introduced to help businesses
As part of economic recovery efforts, Lethbridge City Council on November 2 approved a series of Development Based Incentive Programs to support investors as well as business owners and their employees.Many of the ideas originated at meetings of the Lethbridge Recovery Committee of Council, where ongoing discussions with the business and development community have identified potential opportunities that fit Lethbridge.The six areas of focus include: Real Estate Sales and Leases; Affordable/Social Housing
Thursday, September 17, 2020Government Support Programs Update
Supports for BusinessGovernment Announces Extension of Rent Relief for Small BusinessesThe Government of Canada announced this week that the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program will be extended for the month of September. The government also announced this will be the final extension for the CECRA program. Read moreAdvancing the growth of food producers and processorsTo advance the growth of food producers and processors, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and Jobs, Economy and
