PRESS RELEASE: Antigonish and Strait Area Chambers Meet

The presidents of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce and the Antigonish Chamber of Commerce, along with their respective Executive Directors, met Tuesday in Antigonish to discuss matters of mutual concern for region’s business community.

President Adam Rodgers, along with Executive Director, Damian MacInnis, spoke on behalf of the Strait Area Chamber, while President Patrick Curry and Executive Director Anne Marie MacKenzie represented the Antigonish Chamber.

“Both of our boards of directors have identified communication and cooperation as key priorities,” said Rodgers “and in particular we felt it was important to build on the already strong bonds between our respective regions, whereas we share not only the same economic engines, but also some of the same concerns.”

Topics covered during the meeting of Chamber heads included the potential Regional Enterprise Network (REN) structure, municipal cooperation, energy policy, and ocean sector expansion.

“Since the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) were disbanded, there has be a tremendous gap in economic development in our region,” said Curry.  “As the structure of the proposed RENs starts to take shape, it is vitally important that our province and local governments work together to ensure we receive maximum benefit.  Both the Antigonish and Strait Area Chambers are committed to making sure this happens.”

“We have the top marine training facility in the country in the Nautical Institute, along with an ice free deepwater harbour that has been attracting interest from companies exploring for oil offshore, among others. With offshore exploration and European free trade on the horizon, we want to take advantage of important growth opportunities.” said Rodgers “We are also working on some plans to see energy rates reduced, and we shared some of those thoughts.”

The two local Chambers have pledged to continue working together, and coordinating their efforts on common advocacy issues. “Communication and partnering have been identified as important aspects of making our Chamber as effective as it can be,” said Curry “By working with our colleagues in the Strait Chamber, we can continue our work in making our region as prosperous as it can be.”

CHAMBER MADE: I, For One, Welcome Our New Overlords

Our latest column, as it appears in the Casket newspaper, with the original submitted title.  Note to self:  They have been very accommodating with your lengthy columns, but if there's physically not room to fit your lengthy title, there just isn't.  Keep that in mind.

And so the people of Nova Scotia have spoken, and we got ourselves a new premier, Mr. Stephen McNeil.  At or about the same time, the people of Antigonish also spoke, and we got ourselves a new MLA, Mr. Randy Delorey.  Needless to say, things are likely pretty cheery in the Liberal bunkhouse.  There's nothing quite so exhilarating as being told you're in charge of something.

Why, I remember the night of my own glorious ascension into power in February of this year, when I grasped the reins of leadership bestowed upon me by the Chamber of Commerce.  It was a night of great revelry with wine and food and camaraderie.  Huzzah, what an eve!

Early the next morning, as I lounged about in my branched velvet gown basking in my presidential glory, the phone rang.  It was a media type person who wanted the Chamber of Commerce's viewpoint on a labour dispute going on at St.F.X. and the impact it was having on Antigonish business.  Oh, and three or so other media types wanted to know the same thing.  And, perhaps I should also appear on Information Morning on Monday.  It turns out that, all of a sudden, I was an expert or something.  To quote Ron Burgundy, "That escalated quickly."

I guess what I'm tryin' to say, newly elected officials, is that the honeymoon is already over.  I reckon you've figured this out by now, but it's time to get down to business.  And my job in this business is figuring out how you are going to support our members and businesses in Antigonish and by extension, Nova Scotia.

How are we going to let people know that Nova Scotia is open for business?  Our government needs to decide if they are going to be roadblocks, or if they are going to be facilitators.  I mean, in the real sense, not in any rhetorical jargon sense.  I mean, in the "wow, you've got an idea, how can we help that happen" kinda sense.  

And I'm not just talking about the blockbuster way, where there's a fantastic photo opportunity to stand next to someone shaking hands in front of reporters.  I'm talking about the folks who have a dream.   An I've-always-thought-this'd-be-great kind of dream.  The folks that would love to set up something like this in Antigonish so I could live here, if only it was feasible.  Is this province going to be willing to put the red tape in the storage closet?  Is Nova Scotia going to be known as a help or a hinderance?  

What will we be doing about economic development?  For years, we had our Regional Development Authorities, who were tremendous assets in this regard.  But the RDAs were dissolved to be replaced by Regional Enterprise Networks, which would apparently save us tremendous amounts of money.  Well, the RDAs are gone, and all the programs, information, and people are in the wind, but I haven't seen a REN yet.  What is the plan for economic development in Antigonish from the provincial perspective?

The Chamber's membership has reported to us with authority that their number one priority is municipal relations.  It should seem obvious, as well, that relations between the province and its municipal counterparts would be optimal if the municipal units were on the same page, acting in one voice.  Is our new government willing to be an assistance in this respect?  Are there ways the province can aid in creating optimal municipal relations?  How do we feel about funding a governance study?

These are but some of the things that spring to mind.  I could continue to prattle on, but the editor gives me a hard time about blowing past the word count.  

Randy, during the debate that the Chamber co-hosted with the St.F.X. Students' Union, you stated that though you were the Liberal candidate, your loyalties ultimately lay with Antigonish not the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia.  Firstly, I believe you sincere when you say this, and I thank you for saying it.  Secondly, I suspect you’ll find that to be easier said than done at times over the next 4 years or so.  Thirdly, and most importantly, I can assure you that I will hold you to your statement.  I very much look forward to working with you in the years to come.

Mr. McNeil, while you and I will likely have little or no direct contact while you are premier of Nova Scotia, you should know that I will struggle with which combination Stephen/Steven McNeil/MacNeil is the proper way to spell your name for the entirety of your premiership.  This will not change, regardless of how good or poor a premier you turn out to be.  That said, I will always Google your name to make sure it is right.  You are in charge of, in my occasionally humble opinion, the finest province in the Dominion.  Take fine care of it while its citizens deem you worthy to do so.  And don't be surprised if you hear from me.  Sometimes I get in a letter-writin’ mood.

The Antigonish Chamber of Commerce, and all Chambers, stand ready to work with you in providing a bright future.  I ask that you let us provide our voice to yours.

Antigonish Chamber of Commerce Announces 2013 Antigonish Business Award Nominees

Antigonish Business Awards – 2013 Nominees Announced

The Antigonish Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the nominees for the Antigonish Business Awards.

RBC Royal Bank Emerging Business Award
This award is designed to put the spotlight on a new profitable business showing excellence in some or all of the following categories: new or innovative product or service, quality of merchandise/customer service, job creation, growth potential, market served and community involvement.
              
                Bliss Hair Boutique
                Jamieson’s Music Studio
                Reid Business Services
                The Made In Nova Scotia Store
                The Rolling Bricks


Outstanding Customer Service Award (Individual)
This award puts the spotlight employees that have demonstrated outstanding, “above and beyond” customer service to their customers. Please nominate a person that best demonstrated the customer service attributes: accessible, courteous, helpful, knowledgeable, and responsive.
              
                Mark Bond, Highland Home Hardware
                Jodi Delorey, Robotnik.com
                Pauline Doyle, Shoppers Drug Mart
                Gary Murphy, Sodexo Food Services
                Kim Richardson Hall, Dr Mary Gorman’s Office
                              

Ian Spencer Excellence in Business Award – Sponsored by CBDC-NOBL
In recognition of Ian Spencer’s commitment to bridging the gap between business and the community, The Antigonish Chamber of Commerce annually recognizes a local business with this Award for Excellence in Business.  Nominee businesses have demonstrated successful business practices and strong corporate responsibility and community service.
              
                Antigonish Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company
                C.A. Smith Mechanical Ltd.
                Eastern Sanitation Limited
                KVS Electrical Inc. 


Young Entrepreneur Award – Sponsored by Mac Mac Mac Law Offices
This award is designed to recognize youth who have excelled in the development and enhancement of the economic infrastructure, and contributed to the prosperity and well-being of Antigonish through entrepreneurship. In addition, the award acknowledges that young entrepreneurs strengthen local networks, help build a spirit of entrepreneurship, and contribute to the development of transferable skills for themselves and others in the community.
              
                Kelly Farrell, Divine Beauty Mobile Esthetics

Doing It Right

Part of what the Chamber of Commerce does is host events.  On Tuesday past, we co-hosted the candidates debate for the riding of Antigonish.  It was a very well-attended and, I thought, informative night that gave the candidates from the three parties an opportunity to educate the voters, so the decision they make is an informed one.  

The following morning, we hosted a Breakfast Connection, where speaker Rick Ramsay talked of municipal relations.  Our membership told us that this topic was of great importance to them, and so we searched out someone to add to the discussion.  That there were over a dozen representatives from the Town and the County tells me that this is a topic that is of importance to them as well, something that pleases me to no end.

Now, the Chamber doesn't put these events on for the sake of a get-together.  We do it because of the value we feel it can bring to not only our members, but members and non-members alike. (At this point, I would normally do the silly "if you are a member, if you aren't a member" thing, but even I'm getting sick of that. The fact is, non-members are really potential members.  We want you to be a member.  Let's move on*.) 

*The author reserves the right to return to this ridiculous literary device at any time.

The value of the two above events is information.  We help to coordinate a debate so that the people can have the best possible information to choose the person who will represent them and strive to create a better Antigonish.  We partner further with ACALA so we can have the debate taped and available to those unable to attend.  We bring in individuals to speak at Breakfast and Lunch Connections to provide insight into issues facing our members and give them the information they need to find solutions and opportunities.

Our next major event is our Business Gala, which is held every year on Small Business Week and this year will be held on Thursday, October 24th.  And while the other events listed were about information, the Business Gala is about celebration.  It is about celebrating the folks that are doing it right.

The Outstanding Customer Service Award is about celebrating that person that exemplifies what a "customer service experience" is all about.  The Young Entrepreneur Award highlights an individual under the age of thirty who has the drive to turn his or her visions into reality, and the Emerging Business Award celebrates a business that has established itself as a viable and vital piece of the Antigonish business community.  They are the awards not only of the now, but of the future.  And, the Ian Spencer Award for Excellence in Business celebrates the company that is combining success in business with success in community.

Though the Chamber is hosting this event, this is not an event about the Chamber of Commerce.  You do not have to be a member to nominate a person or business.  You do not have to be a member of the Chamber to be nominated.  If someone deserves to be recognized, we would have them recognized.

You also do not need to be a member to attend.  Because, while on this night we are celebrating the winners of these awards and those who were nominated, we are also celebrating something more.  We are celebrating Antigonish.  By celebrating these award recipients and nominees, we are shining a spotlight on those we feel represent Antigonish best.  This is who we are, this is who we want to be.

Nominations for the awards close on October 4th.  The Gala itself, as mentioned, is twenty days later on the 24th.  The winners are chosen based on a strict criteria and extensive investigation.  You are encouraged to put forth the names of the worthy.  You are encouraged to celebrate their successes, for they are yours as well.  Please join us at our annual Business Gala.  Information on nominations and tickets can be found at our website, or by calling 863-6308.

I hope to see you there.

NOTE:  Due to space constraints, the Casket was unable to publish this article this week.  An edited version noting the passage of the October 4th deadline is scheduled to appear next week.

SEPTEMBER BREAKFAST CONNECTION: "Local Governments - Building Forward"

September 2013 Breakfast -

"A perfect storm of economic disaster": ACC's Response to the Recent Information Morning Interview

“A perfect storm of economic disaster waiting to happen”.

That is the phrase used in a recent interview to describe the economic situation in Antigonish. You will forgive me if I take umbrage with this description.

Truth be told, I hadn’t heard the interview personally until the day of this writing. It took place during the Community Contact segment of CBC Radio's Information Morning on June 25th of this year, and I was unable to listen in. But in the days since, I have been contacted by numerous individuals expressing their shock and dismay at the catastrophic tone in the interview - so much so that I had to track down the interview to hear it myself. I now understand their concerns.

In the interest of full disclosure, I consider the Community Contact to be a friend of mine. She has been a good friend of this Chamber of Commerce and a strong advocate for Antigonish, has provided excellent correspondence in the past in her role as Community Contact, and indeed, even reached out to me to prior to the interview to ask if I had any specific concerns, and I provided her with one.

I cannot understand, however, why she would provide such an apocalyptic view of our great town. If I may paraphrase the great Mark Twain: The report of Antigonish’s death has been an exaggeration.

It is no secret that St.F.X. is a huge economic driver in this community. The strike was an undeniable disruption to the status quo of this town, and the job losses that were recently announced are indeed very damaging. But what of the recent announcement of the planned creation of the U4 League between St.F.X, Acadia, Mount Allison, and Bishop’s, and the doors that could open because of it? Is it not worth mentioning that St.F.X., while currently struggling with very difficult times and decisions, is simultaneously trying to position itself to be a front-runner in the future?

And, it is no secret that the new section of highway that has opened is creating great uncertainty for this upcoming year. The Chamber has heard, anecdotally, that some businesses are reporting decreased business already, and that it is perhaps due in large part to the new highway. But we have also heard from businesses who are having excellent years.

And yes, a clothing store is closing on Main Street, but what of the one that is about to open, not to mention the two other clothing stores that have opened within the past 18 months? And what of the two new restaurants that have just opened on Main Street within the last two months and another that has opened within the past year, not to mention two new pubs that have revitalized their locations.

I think of two Chamber of Commerce members who have just been awarded TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence for their consistent achievements in hospitality. I think of another Chamber member who has just celebrated their one year anniversary by being featured on Eastlink Magazine’s “Nova Scotia’s Best” in the “Slowfood” category. I think of a Chamber food vendor in the mall who has recently opened a second location on Main Street. I think of the emerging bluefin tuna touring companies in our area. I think of the new rowing club and facility in Lochaber. I think of the bike shop that has opened downtown, which coincides with the ambitious development of a world-class four season sports and recreation facility at the Keppoch.

I think of the sheer achievement of hosting the longest running Highland Games outside Scotland, now celebrating its 150th year. And I think, as well, of an Antigonish business man who has just been inducted into the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame.

There can be no denying that Antigonish is in a state of transition. There is uncertainty at our university, an important economic partner. There is uncertainty in the impact of the new stretch of highway that sidesteps our town. There is uncertainty in our economy and the global economy. It is important to be ever vigilant on these and all matters that affect Antigonish business. They cannot be dismissed.

But it does us all a great disservice to have our focus on all the things that are not as we want them to be and then concluding that it leads to an inevitable doom. “A perfect storm of economic disaster”, if you will.

On the night I was sworn in as president of the Antigonish Chamber of Commerce, I told those in attendance that we were entering uncertain times. The new highway, the dissolution of the Antigonish Regional Development Authority, the labour situation at St.F.X, these and other things combined to created a cloudy future. But I told the crowd that in the midst of uncertainty there often lies opportunity, as the interviewee well knows, as she was the emcee that night.

I believe that today, as I did then. And I see from the people striving in this town making their businesses all that they can be that I am not alone. The Antigonish Chamber of Commerce is doing all it can to help make this area the economic haven it deserves to be and will continue to do so.

It is important to discuss the issues facing an area. You cannot ignore the unfavourable matters about you and hope they go away on their own. But by the same token, you cannot make them your sole focus. It is equally important to highlight the successes and potential that you see about you. It is only in this balance can you find the opportunities available.

Antigonish is in a state of transition. It will take vision and cooperation, but I am of the opinion that Antigonish will be able to transition just fine.

ACC & 989XFM, Nothing But Hits Partner for Membership Awareness Program

The Antigonish Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that it has begun a Member Awareness Program with 989XFM, Nothing But Hits.

Once per month, a Chamber member will be chosen at random. That member will be the sponsor of one weather update per day during that calendar month. Weather updates on 989XFM are provided at twenty minutes prior and twenty minutes after the hour. The winner's spot will run once per day between 6 AM and 6 PM at a different time each day to provide maximum coverage,

This sponsorship promotion is provided at absolutely no cost to the Chamber member; it is another benefit of being a member of the Antigonish Chamber of Commerce.

The first member to receive this benefit is the Old Barn Gallery & Decor in Pomquet. Congratulations, Carol!

The Antigonish Chamber of Commerce would like to take this opportunity to thank 989XFM, Nothing But Hits for allowing us to pass this benefit on to our membership. Thank you for the support!