Call to Action
COUNCILLORS RAISE DEVELOPMENT CHARGE FEES BY 60 PER CENT

The City has just placed Hamilton at a competitive disadvantage by increasing industrial and commercial development charges by 60 per cent, yet they deemed it important to freeze development charges on homes.

So why is a freeze okay for one sector but not for others? Hamilton does not yet have a strong enough economy handle these increases. In the midst of strengthening our economy and positioning this City for long-term competitiveness and growth, increasing development charges now will only hinder the process.

Granting a dispensation for some sectors over others, particularly those sectors that are already overtaxed, is counter intuitive to everything governments at all levels are engaged in now to fight the recession.

We urge you to contact your local councillor to address this issue immediately.

---

 Ontario Chamber of Commerce
ECONOMIC RENEWAL AND BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS EMERGE AS ONTARIO BUSINESS PRIORITIES

Business leaders from across the province identified the key steps to achieving economic renewal and business competitiveness in Ontario at the 97th Annual General Meeting and Convention of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce this weekend.

"A competitive tax and regulatory regime, modern energy and infrastructure foundations, and a skilled workforce are key to Ontario overcoming the current malaise affecting our economy and regaining its competitive edge in the world,” says Len Crispino, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.  “The status quo is not an option.  We must continue to take bold steps to ensure that our province provides the best possible environment in order for businesses to invest and create jobs for all Ontarians."

Seventeen policy priorities were approved, bringing to 102 the total number of policies supported by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce network representing roughly 60,000 businesses in every community of the province.

Some of the key priorities identified were:

• A commitment to reducing Ontario’s regulatory burden on business that includes the following: annual benchmarks, sustainability targets, participation by all government agencies and ministries and all levels of personnel, a mandatory five year review of all regulations, and a statutory requirement for broad-based business review of any new regulation
• Modernized infrastructure with an efficient approval process which contains planning that is consistent, long-term and includes sustainable funding

• Skills development for new and current workforce participants that:  encourages education and training partners to focus the proper resources on the skills and areas most needed in the transitioning economy; and an expansion of the Second Career strategy which expands the skills that qualify and allows more time to earn accreditation

• A nuclear strategy in Canada, developed by the provincial and federal governments in consultation with all stakeholders, that ensures jobs, investment and economic strength are retained in Ontario and Canada

• Fairness for Ontario workers in terms of Employment Insurance benefits and training

A full listing of the approved policy resolutions can be found at www.occ.on.ca

Hamilton Community Foundation
MORE THAN $900 THOUSAND FOR POVERTY REDUCTION

Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) today announced the recipients of grants totalling $922,198 for poverty-reduction initiatives across the city. The grants cross a range of initiatives from micro-credit for low-income entrepreneurs, to housing, food security, recreation and initiatives to help youth stay in school. 
The grants represent the second year of funding from HCF’s Tackling Poverty Together program, a five-year, $5 million initiative. The grants focus in two areas: programs addressing poverty in eight of Hamilton’s low-income neighbourhoods, and broader strategies that have an impact on reducing poverty across the city. 

Hamilton Community Foundation was founded in 1954 as Ontario’s first community foundation.  Like all community foundations, HCF has three main roles: working with donors to build funds for the future of this community, granting to the widest possible range of organizations and initiatives and fostering community leadership. Since it was founded, Hamilton Community Foundation has made grants to our community totalling more than $55 million, including approximately $4.1 million last year.

For more information, please contact:

Sheree Meredith, Vice-President – Philanthropic Services
905-523-5600 x 246 
Grace Diffey, Vice-President – Community Relations
905-523-5600 x260

Or visit the HCF website at: http://www.hcf.on.ca

Economic Development
YOUR INPUT NEEDED ON THE DOWNTOWN CORE

The City of Hamilton’s Downtown and Community Renewal Division wants to know what Hamiltonians think of the downtown core. Over the course of the next month, the Division will be asking for online input about Hamilton’s downtown in the hopes of using the information to shape a comprehensive marketing strategy for the area. 
The development and implementation of a marketing strategy plays an important role in achieving the City of Hamilton’s Vision and Corporate Strategic Plan. Since 2002, the Downtown and Community Renewal Division has administered loans totalling $13.5 million through the Hamilton Downtown Residential Loans Program. The results have generated over $126 million in property value and 755 residential units in Hamilton's downtown core. The proposed framework of the strategy will enable the City to be more proactive in marketing its downtown activities, raise awareness about the economic progress in Hamilton’s downtown core and help create an investment-friendly marketing campaign. 
The online marketing survey can be found at: www.investinhamilton.ca or for more information please call: 905-546-CITY (2489). The Downtown and Community Renewal Division promotes the revitalization and development of properties in Hamilton's six Downtowns (i.e. Downtown Hamilton, Ancaster Village Core, Binbrook Community Core, Downtown Dundas, Downtown Stoney Creek and Waterdown Village), thirteen Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), and other "main street" corridors throughout the City. 

The Hamilton Spectator
SEEKING PRIZES FOR “THE WAY WE SPEND” SERIES

The Hamilton Spectator will soon embark on a three-month series of stories documenting the financial transformation of four troubled local households. The Way We Spend will pair local financial experts with families, couples or individuals struggling to save and pay their bills. The series will be published in the fall and will offer information, advice and practical tips to families all over Hamilton and Burlington.
 
The newspaper is looking for local businesses willing to offer prizes to the families, such as gift cards, in-kind services or donations to RESPs or RRSPs. Staples has generously offered $500 gift baskets to the profiled families. Sponsors will be acknowledged in The Spectator. Businesses interested in taking part can contact marketing and promotions manager Diana MacKay at dmackay@thespec.com or 905.526.3512.

Conference Board of Canada
THEY WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY
The Conference Board of Canada invites you to share your perspectives and insights – using the online survey link, below – on how well management, business, and finance (MBF) education in Canada prepares graduates for success in innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
We want to hear what you have to say about:

The online survey takes, on average, 9 minutes to complete. Your responses are confidential. Data will be reported in aggregate terms and will not be attributed to any individual or organization. To access the online survey, please click on: http://conferenceboard.checkboxonline.com/MBFReportCard.aspx (or copy and paste the hyperlink into your web-browser). The survey will be available until June 24, 2009.
The Conference Board of Canada and the Executive Committee of the National Forum on Management appreciate your participation.

West Harbour Waterfront
NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION

A fourth public information session is being held to present the Class Environmental Assessment preliminary findings, exhibit a strengthened Master Plan and indicate a design theme for the built form. Public input is encouraged on how to best implement the preferred solution in terms of achieving the long-term goals for the waterfront. For more information, please contact Justin Readman, Project Manager, eplanning@hamilton.ca

Tuesday June 23, 2009
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hamilton convention Centre, 1 Summers Lane, Webster rooms B and C

Downtown Ontario Brand Campaign
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Many of you have shown support for OBIAA and the provincial government to support and fund a brand campaign for Ontario's Downtowns.  At the most recent OBIAA Board meeting it was determined we need to engage the services of a professional marketing firm to assist with development and creation of a marketing strategy for a Downtown Ontario Brand Campaign.

All interested are invited to submit a proposal for the provision of services. Questions may be directed to info@obiaa.com.

Description: Ontario BIA Association Branding Project
Date Issued: Thursday, June 11, 2009
Closing Date: Friday, June 30, 2009
Closing Time: 4:00 p.m.

Recycling Council of Ontario
2009 ONTARIO WASTE MINIMIZATION AWARDS

Nominations are now open for the 2009 Ontario Waste Minimization Awards.

There are four levels of achievement in the awards, ranging from Bronze for entry-level scores to Platinum for those who achieve at the highest levels on the scoring grid.  Regardless of achievement levels, all participants are 'waste reduction champions' merely by their willingness to submit an application to the rigorous scrutiny that has become a hallmark of the RCO process.  The benefits are many, not only for garnering recognition from peers and the public, but also for the opportunity to join the brain trust of enlightened organizations that have made the environment a top priority and who are happy to share best practices with others who aspire to higher diversion goals and ultimately, to stewardship. For more information, please email: events@rco.on.ca

New Chairs Appointed
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRS

At last months Board meeting, the Chamber’s Board of Directors approved the following Chair appointments. Congratulations to:

Sue Davidson – Ancaster Division
Paul Mariutti and Kim Piper – Co-Chairs, Business Development Committee
Ilya Pinassi – Community Development Committee
Michele Ballagh – Science, Technology and Innovation Committee
Neil Dring – Glanbrook Division
Norine Jones - Connections

Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
CALLING ALL YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

The Board of Directors of the Hamilton Chamber is very anxious to receive input from its younger members as to what they feel the Chamber should be doing to benefit today’s young entrepreneur (under 35). Devin Tuinstra, a young entrepreneur himself, has agreed to Chair the meeting in early July, which will begin the process for providing the Board with vital feedback.

For more information, or if you wish to attend this inaugural meeting, please contact Don Crossley 905-522-1151 ext. 222.

 

---