January 15, 2008

Chamber News

You said it!

We’re back, and welcome to 2008 E-news. We hope everyone enjoyed a long winter’s nap at some point over the holidays. We took some extra time to talk to chamber members and ask them how we could improve E-News. Afterall, it’s a service for members - and how you spend your time is money, too. (‘Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.’ – Greek Philosopher Theophrastus.) Thanks for so much positive feedback! E-news would also like to thank the Hants Journal for giving the Chamber some extra visibility by publishing some of its material in the past year and hope this trend continues. On-line might be on all the time, but nothing beats the printed word, literally. Not everyone is on the internet or on email, so kudos to them.

Something you told us you loved the most was reading opinions of other local business-owners on key issues such as the economy, political happenings and what the future holds for our area. So in honour of that, we are launching a new feature called, “You Said It”, where we select a business person from the area and get their feedback on a particular issue. (We like to give credit where credit is due, and thank daily NS business E-news publication, ALLNovaScotia.com for the title.)

Another change readers asked to see in the upcoming year is the for the events calendar to be streamlined to business events only. As the body who collects and edits E-news every two weeks, I could not agree more. Of course, the events calendar was something new we tried on this past year, but each issue was a struggle to include so many worthwhile community and cultural events, and where does it end? We’d rather you look to other media sources– such as the Hants Journal, AVR and What’s Going On? for these events listings, because it’s their job to publicize these, (and their business relies on providing you information too). In the meantime, we’ll focus on bringing things to your attention in our region that matter to your business, because that’s what we’re all about. Afterall, networking means business!

See and Do

Something else the Chamber tries to do for its members is to keep an eye on new promotion opportunities for local business. If you missed the early deadlines to appear in the Doers and Dreamers Guide, and the Destination South West Nova Guide, then you’re in luck! See and Do maps will be launched in the spring of 2008 for regions for the Annapolis Valley. Similar to the Junior Chamber maps done in previous years, these maps are full-colour featuring the best to entertain, eat, shop, stay, relax and play in each area with an option to also have the ad activated on the web version. Better is that these will be promoted and distributed together to tourism partners and entry points across the province in early April - just in time for tourist season. Now that the Kings and Annapolis County maps are now completely sold out, the Annapolis Valley East Map (Hantsport-Summerville) will be accepting bookings until January 31st. Complimentary ad design is available. Rates are based on size and range from $75-$300. To place your ad or additional info, please contact Heather at info@whcc.ca or on 790-4009.

The Boys in Red

Memorial donations to Bathurst, NB boys and teacher who lost their lives last Friday night can be made to the Boys in Red account at any branch of the CIBC. For those who wish to send cards or letters, the School’s address is 640 King Avenue PO Box 710 Bathurst, NB Canada E2A 3Z6.

West Hants News

High Tide Project Powers Hope

Hearty Chamber congratulations to Minas Basin Pulp and Power for a winning bid to continue as a major player in North America’s, and ultimately the world’s, energy sector. Last week the Hantsport company was awarded an opportunity be one of three companies to test tidal-turbines in the Bay of Fundy in a pilot project that is the first of its kind on the continent. Minas Basin will also build and manage the infrastructure each of the companies will need to get electricity to the power grid that will be called the Fundy Institute. Tidal power has been harnessed before in Nova Scotia, at a 1970s-era facility that can produce up to 20 megawatts daily. But that facility is fundamentally different from what is being proposed. "That power plant is essentially a hydroelectric dam; it's barrage technology," explained Matt Lumley, a spokesman for the province's Department of Energy. "In this case, it's as if windmills were being dropped into the ocean." Following an environmental assessment to measure what kind of an impact this will have on the local fishing industry among other concerns, Minas Basin will install Maryland-based UEK's hydrokinetic buoyant turbine. The turbine will be dropped into the water and float freely until it finds the optimal current and then anchors will fix it into position. Each of the three winning companies, which also include NSPI and a BC company named Clean Current, will be investing millions of dollars into the turbines. This investment will be buoyed by the Province’s commitment to provide $5 million for the project, and $3 million from Encana Corporation in the form of a no-interest loan from its Environmental Innovation Fund. Sustainable career creation is sure to rise and it’s hoped the project will meet more than 15 per cent of the province's energy needs in the near future. “This is a demonstration facility - a centre of excellence," Energy Minister Richard Hurlburt said in remarks prepared for a morning news conference in Parrsboro. "One day in the future, when somebody buys a tidal device on the other side of the world, we want them to ask 'Is it built to the Fundy standard?" Founded in Hantsport by Roy Jodrey in 1927, Minas Basin Pulp and Power has generated power since 1938.

In other energy news, NSPI is getting a mixed reception for some recent business decisions. Not being received warmly is the news the company is reducing its corporate funding of the Good Neighbours program it partners up with the Salvation Army to provide low-income families help with heating costs. The power utility announced yesterday it will be investing in a four-month study to see if it can distribute electricity from two generators placed in Newfoundland’s Lower Churchill River.

Railway study awarded

Opus International, a global New Zealand company with an office in Fredericton, was awarded a tender by the Kings Community Economic Development Agency to study the economic impact associated with the loss of the rail line between Hantsport and Port Williams. Recently, E-News reported the Windsor-Hantsport Railway Company (WHRC) ceased rail-based operations along that route. This decision was prompted by the deterioration of the rail-bed infrastructure and a lack of resources necessary for upgrades to the line west of Hantsport. Three major companies and a handful of smaller ones rely on the railway service to New Minas. These include ACA Co-operative, Co-op Atlantic, and Frito-Lay Canada. Since the railway shut in the summer, goods have had to be trucked, resulting in higher transportation costs for the companies and approx 3,000 – 5,000 truckloads on the highways. The 16-week study is estimated to cost $41,980.

What’s Going On?

Readers of What’s Going On?, the free community bulletin circulated to over 5,000 households throughout more rural areas of East and West Hants, will soon see some new improvements to its publication and website, www.whats-going-on.ca. “Community groups, businesses, and tourism operators will now be able to add their website links to what is surely the most comprehensible list of community websites available in the area, including links to other local media sites,” says Christine Withrow of What’s Going On Printing, which publishes the bi-weekly bulletin. “One thing we have always noticed, being in the business we are in, is the lack of one place where people can access and self-update this information efficiently and locally,” says Greg Desveaux of Avondale Media, a marketing services company that has partnered up with What’s Going On Printing for just over a year now on various projects. “It’s a great fit for this publication, which is a favourite staple in local mailboxes for light reading and general community information.” he said. “We’ve done our best to gather as many as we can over the past several months and encourage others who don’t see their site on there to jump on board.” Withrow agrees and is very pleased with the results. “When you’re running a business, there seems to be an increasing number of other things sucking up any income,” she says. “Avondale Media has ideas and skills I don’t and never seriously considered that I could have access to, assuming they would be beyond my financial ability,” she said. “Trading services with them for the past year has proven to be a successful experiment for both of our small businesses,” she said. “They share my philosophy that working together, and not trying to compete, is the way to go in our rural part of the world. Everyone wins.” Part of that good feeling was also a firm promise to start slow and phase in improvements, which is unheard of in the internet and media industry which thrives on constant change. “We approached this cautiously because we genuinely care about this area, the publication’s loyal readers and advertisers, Christine’s family business and, of course, also think highly of her personally,” said Mr. Desveaux. “We’re a family-run business too. Partnering up is good for modest growth, and there is something to be said for not rushing into too much too soon, creating high expectations and then not being able to live up to them,” he said. “Or worse, changing it to something we know people don’t want,” adds Christine. Over the past year, Withrow said this enabled them to see what worked, what didn’t and what could be done to kick it up a few notches. Another new section will expand the publication’s already popular list of community events the publication circulates by allowing them to post events free of charge with no account membership obligations. Visitors will also be able to vote in online polls on local and regional issues. The new site will be launched with the publication’s next issue in the week ahead.

Avondale Media - http://www.avondalemedia.ca
What’s Going On Printing - http://www.whats-going-on.ca


Curves

No better time than the winter to take comfort in wrapping up in big, woolly sweaters and coats. But we all know it’s not a new year without at least a secret resolution to chisel and refine those curves! Likewise, local fitness centres are right there with you, offering slimmer price tags on memberships. “It is without question our busiest time,” says Curves manager Christine Hubley, “It’s also the best time to join if you want to take advantage of cost savings, but you know, it’s good whenever the motivation strikes you,” The national franchise dropped its sign up fees by 50% in addition to another discount the local franchise is offering. For the month of January, Curves is offering ladies a chance to save as much an additional 30% on set up fees for annual membership, a total reduction of about $140 from $200.00 to $69.00, plus monthly membership. “We consider it a lifetime commitment and as a result, have a lot of long-term members who have put in over 1,000 workouts,” says Hubley. The facility offers women strength-training on a circuit for 25 minutes, together with a stretching room to cool down for a total of a 30 minute workout – making it an attractive option for time-stretched women needing a little help in maintaining motivation to stick with it. For co-ed work outs, of course, the Locker Room one block over on Stannus Street is celebrating 21 years in business in Windsor. Offering a number of group classes, personal training, yoga, and pilates, the Locker Room also boasts plenty of nautilus machines in a comfortable atmosphere. Members may bring a friend to sample classes for free with a week-long trial membership. Membership discounts are also available.

Curves for Women: 131 Gerrish St. Phone: (902) 798-0055 - http://www.curves.com 
The Locker Room: 99 Stannus St. Phone: (902) 798-8220 - http://www.thelockerroom.ca


Regional News

Apples form core of Agriculture sector

While some parts of the agricultural sector have experienced hard times lately, Scotian Gold says the apple industry isn’t bad. Last week Scotian Gold announced that the 2007 apple crop was the largest to come through the doors of the Coldbrook-based co-op in its 50-year history. The apple industry in the Annapolis Valley still serves as the basis for many successful farms. Scotian Gold has expanded from handling slightly more than 20,000 bins of fruit (14 million pounds) in 1993 to over 50,000 bins (35 million pounds) in 2007. Technology and consumer tastes, Lutz said, change rapidly. Today’s consumers want firm, crisp Valley apples year-round, not just for a few weeks in the fall. To make this possible, Scotian Gold has embarked on a regular program of building the most up-to-date storages possible, and has continued to do so right up to this fall when new concrete tilt-up storage was completed. The new construction adds an additional 5,700 bins of capacity, allowing Scotian Gold to handle 52,000 bins of fruit this fall in controlled atmosphere and common refrigerated storage. (Source: The Advertiser)
 

PCs to be recycled
 

Nova Scotia is joining the growing list of provinces to develop and implement regulations to effectively deal with electronic waste and divert it from landfills. (The regulations include a disposal ban on electronic waste.) In 2003, it was estimated that Nova Scotians disposed of more than 4500 tonnes of electronic waste.The first phase of the Electronic Product Stewardship Regulations, which were given the legislative green light last year, will come into effect on February 1, 2008. "I am particularly impressed by the willingness of the electronics industry to take on the responsibility for this important aspect of the province's solid-waste management plan," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "It was a pleasure to work with the industry on this important project. When the program begins, consumers of electronic products will be able to take back their waste electronic products to return collection facilities across the Nova Scotia, although the department’s website is not clear on precisely where these collection facilities will be quite yet. At first glance, it appears to be the responsibility of electronic equipment manufacturers and retailers to inform where items can be returned. The first phase of products will include desktop pcs, laptops, monitors, and televisions. "Additional products will be collected after February 1, 2009 for the second phase. Other provinces to have implemented regulations are Alberta, BC, Ontario and Saskatchewan. For more info click here

Flaherty not throwing caution to winds of slowing economy

Heading into pre-budget consultations with business leaders this week, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said that there's no substance to worries that the country will head back into a deficit situation if the economy slows. The Minister’s comments came as a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) warned that the federal treasury could easily record a deficit if economic growth slows more than the government expects."We have anticipated some economic slowing in Canada for months now, which is precisely why we took dramatic action on Oct. 30 [to cut business taxes]," Flaherty told reporters at a Vancouver news conference. As for the future, the finance minister said he will "keep spending within the rate of growth of the economy, and quite frankly, I hope to do more than that … I want to make sure we keep the budget in surplus." The CCPA says the tax cuts announced last October give Ottawa little wiggle room to stay in surplus should the economy turn sour. The centre's report outlines four possible scenarios for the economy and even under its least pessimistic version — inflation-adjusted growth of one per cent this year and 1.5 per cent next year — the budget surplus would vanish in 2008-09 and become a $2.4 billion deficit by 2009-10. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Monday that there's no substance to worries that the country will head back into a deficit situation if the economy slows. "Although our economic fundamentals are solid, we need to focus on the various risks and challenges that confront us," Flaherty said in remarks posted on the Finance Department web site. "These include the impact of an economic slowdown in the U.S. and ongoing turmoil in financial markets, the continuing need to adjust to a higher Canadian dollar and increasing global competition, as well as the aging of the Canadian population." Flaherty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have already cautioned that there may not be much additional tax relief or new spending in the budget, which is anticipated in February or March.  The report can be found here  (Source: cbc.ca)

U.S. ground-entry deadline approaching

As of January 31st, if you travel to the U.S. by car or boat, a U.S. law will require you to present two pieces of identification which include a government issued photo ID, such as your driver’s licence, plus a birth certificate of a citizenship card in place of valid passport. Those under 18 years of age will be required to present a birth certificate in place of a passport. Canadian citizens flying through or to the U.S. must present a valid Canadian passport. To find out more information about document requirements and to help you plan for your American travel plans, please visit or call: www.canada.gc.ca, toll free 1-800-622-6232.

Business Events Calendar:

January 28- 29 - Scotia Horticultural Congress 2008
Scotia Horticultural Congress is an annual event of the vegetable and berry industries featuring plenary sessions and an all day trade show. Consumers who attend will be introduced to farmers, chefs and food programs from the local area and will hear about upcoming plans from the Nova Scotia Farmers' Markets Co-operative and will learn about the Food Miles Project and the Select Nova Scotia Program. Old Orchard Inn, Greenwich. http://hortns.com/conferences.html

January 29th - Employer Focus Group
A chance for local employers of all sizes to share your hiring successes and challenges. Windsor Job Resource Center, 80 Water Street. Please rsvp by contacting Rob Frost by Jan 23rd at rfrost@enterprisecentre.info or call 902.798-6645.

January 30th – February 1st - Managing Excellence in Agriculture
Professional development and networking opportunity for farmers, farm families and their advisors at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel Halifax. This year’s theme is “Opportunities through Changes: Growing into the Future”. Final registration January 25.
Monique Trottier at 1-866-492-1171 or monique@confersense.ca

http://www.farmcentre.com
 

January 30th - Leadership breakfast

Nova Knowledge will host a Leader’s Breakfast on January 30 in the Small Craft Gallery of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, 1675 Lower Water Street in Halifax. Open to novaknowledge members & special guests, the guest speaker will be Brent Sansom, Vice President Atlantica, Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce. To register please call Stacy at (902) 494-1510 ext. 10, or send an email to sbarnes@novaknowledge.ns.ca
 

2008 Halifax Business Awards on January 31: Award presentations to successful local businesses at a gala awards ceremony at the World Trade & Convention Centre. Networking - 5:00 p.m. Dinner - 6:30 p.m. Reception - 9:30 p.m. Tickets: Members $150 Non-members $185 (plus HST) www.halifaxchamber.com. For more information, e-mail jenn@halifaxchamber.com.
Please send your business events, anniversaries and celebrations to info@whcc.ca

You said it! (Take two)

You said it! Is the section where you get to have YOUR say. This week we asked David Beaton, owner and operator or Excel Driver Training Centers (http://www.exceldrivertraining.ca) what he thought the biggest challenge local business face in 2008.

“Being a lifelong resident of West Hants, and seeing the market place saturated with driving schools from other counties, I saw a definite need to offer to the public here their own driving school. All areas of the Hants Community deserve the same services offered elsewhere. I have seen, over the years, in my business far too many clients leaving here for Kings and Halifax Counties simply because no service existed here. I am a true believer in supporting local business myself and am excited by the growth I see in West Hants. I am constantly trying to develop new ways to ensure my clientele does not leave the area searching for the same service elsewhere.

“West Hants truly has opportunities that have out grown other communities. We have to constantly be thinking of ways to keep the business here and work together to achieve it. After being in business now for nearly two years, I have seen my business steadily grow from a single employee (myself ) to now having 4 provincially licensed /certified instructors on board. Staying here is great business growth and job creation.”

Chuckles:

Japanese banking industry

According to inside contacts, the Japanese banking crisis shows no signs of improving. If anything, it’s getting worse. Following last week’s news that Origami Bank had folded, we are hearing that Sumo Bank has gone belly up, and Bonsai Bank plans to cut back some of its branches. Karaoke Bank is up for sale, and it is (you guessed it!) going for a song. Meanwhile, shares in Kamikaze Bank have nose-dived, and 500 back-office staff at Karate Bank got the chop. Analysts report that there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank, and staff there fear they may get a raw deal.

E-News is circulated to over 200 Windsor-West Hants contacts and posted on our website www.whcc.ca. Our thanks to Athena Computer Solutions http://www.athenasolutions.net for managing it on behalf of the Chamber so efficiently. Our next issue is January 29th and the deadline for submissions is Friday, January 25, 2008.