Guelph Chamber of Commerce Connection

Guelph Technology Economy Conference

On January 17^th the Guelph Chamber of Commerce held its third annual Technology Economy Conference at the Frank Hasenfratz Centre of Excellence in Manufacturing.  Over 100 attendees from the Tri-City area gathered to learn about “Creative Collaboration”.  Keynote speaker Matt Thompson, Chief Storyteller for the Mozilla Foundation kicked off the event followed by workshops on On Line Collaboration Initiatives, On Line Continuous learning and On Line Web Presence.

In the afternoon, attendees were treated to a real life, hands-on collaborative experience run by Guelph’s own, world renowned Eagle’s Flight.  The result was a 20 foot long bridge built in record time:

Don't miss our next Innovation Breakfast on February 2nd: "Making Innovation Tangible"  www.guelphchamber.com  Over 70 Chambers of Commerce from across Ontario will be visiting Guelph, plus representatives from the Ontario Network of Excellence, of which Innovation Guelph is a member.  We have a panel discussion with the University of Guelph, City of Guelph, Chamber of Commerce, and Innovation Guelph exploring how universities, cities, chambers and innovation centres can work together to help our businesses to get the most benefit from innovation.

Chamber Business Center: Guelph Chamber Moving Downtown

Exciting changes are in store for the Guelph Chamber of Commerce as we work toward continuous improvement in supporting Guelph’s business community, entering our 144th year of service to Guelph.

First you will notice a brand new look and enhanced features on our website: www.guelphchamber.com.
There are some excellent opportunities to advertise on the new website click here for details. A brand new Connect Guelph directory will be available by the middle of January and all Chamber members will receive a free copy of this joint project of the Guelph Chamber – City of Guelph – University of Guelph – Grow Guelph. But, there’s more!

The Board of Directors has approved the Chamber moving to the Downtown, to create a Chamber Business Centre. A site has been selected in the Walker Building at 111 Farquhar Street, across the tracks from the new transit terminal on the 2nd and 3rd floor of Guelph’s oldest industrial building dating back to 1858.

The Guelph Chamber of Commerce welcomes the opportunity to co-locate with Innovation Guelph, a member of the Ontario Network of Excellence, who can be found on the 3rd floor starting January 9th. There will be space there for business presentations that can accommodate up to 70 guests.

8 business offices are currently available for lease on the 2nd floor sharing reception with the new Guelph Chamber office, as well as 5 business incubator spaces within the Business Centre. Contact the Guelph Chamber of Commerce for further details.

The Chamber’s move onto the second floor will follow after renovations have been completed within the Chamber Business Centre, at the end of the first quarter.

The Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce sees this as a pivotal move to support Guelph businesses, provide access to member-to-member educational opportunities, and to connect with the core of Guelph’s community in the downtown. The Chamber Business Centre will be key in contributing to Guelph’s economic growth, profitability, competitiveness, and community involvement for all types of businesses and business people in Guelph.

Contact:
Lloyd Longfield
lloyd@guelphchamber.com
519-822-0224

Pre- Provincial Budget Survey

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) wants to know what you would like to see in the 2012 provincial budget. Thus, as advertised in the latest Focus, the OCC is sending its: 

Pre-Budget Survey

Please complete by January 9th, 2012. 

The purpose of the survey is to identify the public policy priorities of Ontario's business community. It consists of 15 questions and should take no more than six minutes to complete. The survey closes January 9th, 2012.

The OCC will develop its pre-budget submission, based on these survey results. The recommendations within the pre-budget submission will be presented to Ontario's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs in its 2012 provincial pre-budget consultations.

Chambers Applaud Beyond the Border Initiative

It was good to see the heads of our governments supporting the move toward more efficient border crossings for goods and people. Chambers of Commerce on both sides of the border, both locally and nationally have been looking for improvements in trusted shippers and travelers programs, preclearance, border staffing, simplification of customs practices and generally separating known low risk from unknown higher risk transactions. This week our governments committed to a review, which is good for all sizes of business on both sides of the border. More details on the reaction to the joint Chamber submission can be found on the Canadian Chamber of Commerce website.

Chamber Building Campaign

Send us a new member and get $50 cash back!

Join the Guelph Chamber of Commerce and get $50 cash back!

Now that’s a Win – Win.

Send us one of your clients or friends to join Guelph’s largest and oldest business referral network and you will both receive a $50 Visa gift card when they become a member of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce.   There is no limit to the number of referrals you can give us: each new member will net you a $50 cash reward up until December 31st.  We plan on having a celebration and recognition of the top 5 referral generators.

Simply click on this link for you to start the referral process, and use all of your social media channels to send out your voucher coupon, encouraging people to re-tweet, re-post, and re-send.

Good luck!  Let’s end the year with a bang!

Ps: Chamber memberships are tax deductible for the 2011 tax year!

 

Building Connections Builds Resiliency for Local Businesses and for Guelph

The Guelph Chamber of Commerce is a partner in developing Guelph’s sustainability strategy, including economic, environmental, social, and cultural connections between businesses and organizations in our community.  Thanks to support from the Trillium Foundation of Ontario, this project has been funded, and a website has been developed:  www.sustainabilityguelph.ca.  Over the past two years workshops and discussions have taken place to create collaborations between these four pillars of sustainability, and many businesses have been interviewed face to face.  The results have been:

Economic:  The Guelph Chamber is naturally leading economic discussions:  how to succeed in business regardless of business size and type.  Common themes are personal development, sales and marketing, and making business to business connections.  The Guelph Chamber has partnered with the City of Guelph and University of Guelph through their research to create an on line master business directory for Guelph, found on www.guelphchamber.com.  Over 1800 businesses are available through searching key words and use of our local search engine.  If your business is not in this directory, it can be added at no cost by filling in the online form.  Members of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce receive the added benefit of telling more about their business, including a logo and pictures.

Environmental:  The Guelph Chamber has been involved in the development of our Community Energy Initiative, led by the City of Guelph.  Guelph Environmental Leadership has also partnered with this pillar of sustainability.  Guelph has over 60 megawatts of applications for solar power at the Ontario Power Authority.  That is over ¼ of Guelph’s current power demand.  We have had two successful www.PowerSavingsBlitz.ca programs offered to small business through Guelph Hydro.  If you are not one of the over 400 businesses that have taken part in this $1000 incentive to retrofit your lighting, you can still join.  Guelph continues to lead the way on water conservation and treatment, with research at the University of Guelph, and businesses providing innovative solutions for water supply, waste water treatment, and rainwater harvesting.  Major projects are underway through Innovation Guelph, www.innovationguelph.ca . 

Social:  Guelph has long been known as a centre of excellence for mental health.  Trellis Mental Health and Community Services has partnered on the sustainable solutions task force.  We now have a “catalyst group” developing strategies around community and personal wellness, including mental health.  Guelph is also developing nutrition, functional foods, and exercise programs through our businesses, educational institutions, and organizations. 

Cultural:  Over 40 organizations and artists are currently developing a new pillar, connecting Arts and Culture to the business community.  After all, artists are also entrepreneurs.  Their tag line is “Guelph: Use Your Imagination”.  Clearly, that applies to all of the above. 

2012 promises to be another great year to be alive in Guelph as we continue to develop connections between all of these active and imaginative groups.  The Guelph Chamber of Commerce is here to help with advocacy, connections, and education.  Guelph’s ACE organization for over 140 years!

Connect to International Student Talent Pool: AIESEC Guelph

AIESEC Guelph - the University of Guelph chapter of the worlds largest international student-run organisztion, giving young people unrivaled opportunities to gain meaningful work experience!  AIESEC is committed to connecting students to international work opportunities either bringing students to Guelph employers or sending students from Guelph to gain international work experience.  An example of a current Guelph work placement appears below.  For more information on working with AIESEC, please visit their website .  AIESEC sources, screens, and makes arrangements for students to get here or go overseas.  Employers pay a small service fee and fair wages for placements.

 

Facts about Erika & her internship:

 

Who: Erika Wieler, University of Guelph student

Where: Sevilla, Spain

When: April 2011 – end of June 2011

What: Teaching English

 

To go on an internship, you first need to make the decision: ‘I am going!’

What motivated you to go on an internship?

 

Since I wanted to improve my Spanish as well as try teaching, this internship was a great combination. I was looking for an internship in South America, Central America or Spain.  I had been to Sevilla, Spain before so I felt very comfortable with going back there. This really was the perfect opportunity.

 

Did you feel any sort of culture shock when you arrived at the place to be?

 

I had already been to Sevilla two years before going on my internship, to learn Spanish for three weeks.  So most of the ‘culture shock’ happened during my first trip.  I remember when I first found out about how different the meal schedules are there, and how they eat a huge meal around 2PM every day, just before having a siesta of course! Although there are many differences between Canadian and Spanish culture, there are many similarities as well.  AIESEC-ers there are just as much fun as they are here and are just as welcoming, so I got used to the culture really quickly.

 

When you are doing an internship, you also need a place to live. Where did you live and was it difficult to find a place to stay?

 

For a month I stayed with some AIESEC members from AIESEC Sevilla, and after that I found a place with one of my new AIESEC friends!  It wasn’t difficult because they helped me to arrange everything.

 

And when you are settled, you want to do more than just work! How was your social life and was it hard for you to meet people?

 

As soon as I got to the airport, people from AIESEC Sevilla picked me up and we went directly to an AIESEC conference in Malaga.  I was really tired, but it was great… the adrenaline, along with meeting tons of new people, really kept me going… After just a few days I already knew about 200 people!  With all of these new friends, my social life was as busy as I had hoped.  Peoples’ social lives in Spain are very different from what we have here in Canada. I find that a lot of people here go to work, eat, and go to bed. In Spain people set aside some time for their friends every day.  Because of that, I felt that I had a very balanced life while I was there.  There were always things to do with other AIESEC-ers.

        

What were the best experiences you had during your internship and what were the most difficult parts?

 

I had many incredible experiences during my time in Spain.  My favourite part was of course the teaching, because I had classrooms of every age group (from age 4 to adult) so it was great in terms of variety in the curriculum.  I absolutely loved teaching the little ones, but the adult classes were lots of fun as well.  There was something for me to learn from each and every one of my students, so that’s really what made this such a great experience for me.  I also loved being able to travel so easily.  I got to visit places all over Spain, went on a road trip to Portugal, and even made it to France, Germany and London on weekends because the airlines are so cheap!  The most difficult part of my internship was wrapping my head around the idea of having 7 classes to teach.  Once I understood my responsibilities and learned how to control the classroom, it went very smoothly.       

 

And then it’s time to go home again…How did you feel when you got back?

 

When I came back to Canada, I felt like I had been living a dream and that suddenly it was all over. I absolutely loved my time in Sevilla; the life style, the weather, the people.  I really missed being able to speak Spanish whenever I wanted to. When I came back I didn’t have a job, so I had nothing to do and felt very bored.  It took me a few weeks to get used to being in Canada again.  If there’s anything I would suggest to interns coming back home, it would be that you try to organize something beforehand for once you arrive in Canada.  During the last weeks of your internship, make plans so that when you come home you have something to keep you busy.  Whether it be work, volunteering, visiting family and friends, whatever it takes to get you back into a routine.

 

Did you feel you had accomplished something or reached your goals?

 

Yes I definitely did. I improved my Spanish significantly and I think that my students learned a lot of English.  I also got the most wonderful teaching experience, which is exactly what I was hoping for.  My students did well on their exams, so I think my goal was accomplished!

 

What kind of advice would you like to give to those that want to go abroad?

 

Get to know the people from the LC that you will be going to beforehand, that way you will feel more comfortable knowing that you have friends there waiting for you.  Also, expect to be surprised.  I know that seeing things that are unexpected is usually called “culture shock”, but to me that expression almost has a bad connotation.  Rather than thinking of cultural differences as being bad things or obstacles for you to overcome, think of those differences as being interesting and exciting.  Cultural differences are what help people to open their minds and see what AIESEC is all about.  Also, when all else fails and you have no idea what someone just said to you in another language, just smile and be positive.  Don’t feel overwhelmed or afraid.  Having a good attitude often speaks louder than words.  Most people in other countries will already be impressed just by the fact that you are showing an interest in their culture, so they will be happy to help. 

 

So, the last question: would you go on an internship again?

 

Yes absolutely! Every time I see a plane, I want to be on it!

Guelph Downtown Development Plan Comments from Guelph Chamber

The presentation below was made to the November 7th planning meeting of Guelph City Council

"The Guelph Chamber of Commerce sees the need to have an integrated approach to the development of Guelph’s downtown, as discussed in the amended Downtown Secondary Plan.  The concepts outlined in the plan need to be tested against what makes business sense to provide creative solutions towards doing something magnificent for the city, and to make it workable for those who are willing to invest in our downtown.  Places to Grow mandates aggressive growth targets for our community that can only be reached by thinking big, and looking at new approaches to move us from concept to implementation. We need residential development for tax revenue, more residents, more daytime vibrancy, and the resulting greater business development in our Downtown and around our City.  We will also need increased flexibility and creativity to meet financial and community needs for these projects.

 

There are some concerns that items contained in the Secondary Plan* would ordinarily appear in zoning or bylaw documents.  One example relates to restrictions to footplates or floor space indexes, which limit the amount sites can be developed and therefore limit the possibility of attaining residential goals.  Putting height limitations within the Official Plan instead of within bylaws puts a further restriction on development ideas, potentially limiting solutions that could be workable from both financial and aesthetic perspectives.  This results in a one size fits all strategy that does not consider the unique contexts of varying neighbourhoods.  The Secondary Plan shows some parcels of land being split by access ways, which when combined with setbacks from rail lines make sites unattractive to development.  An example of this is the splitting of a development site by extending Surrey Street to leave a development parcel stranded against a railway track which needs 30 meter easements.  Developers have commented that no other municipality in Southwestern Ontario is as onerous on restrictions at the Official Plan level.  This forces developers to enter a project considering the fastest route to the OMB, a further increased cost to the community.

 
Guelph is at a critical juncture in having some early successes to be catalysts for future development.  Under consideration is a project for developing land adjacent to the Cooperators by Tricar.  Tricar has been involved with over $160m of developments in assessed value for the downtown of London.  This has been a significant part of the 59% increase in assessed value in London’s downtown since 2002.  Apart from the obvious increased tax revenue, this has helped to spur a resurgence of investment in businesses in London’s downtown, as well as positive social and economic benefits.  Guelph has downtown development as a core goal of the Prosperity 2020 economic development plan.  Tricar could help to act as a catalyst for other commercial and high density residential developments that are critical for Guelph to meet its Prosperity 2020 goals adopted by City Council and provincial Places to Grow legislation.  The first project proposed is for roughly 300 residents.  Places to Grow and Prosperity 2020 are each calling for a combined increase of 6000, from the current 2500 to 8500 people by 2031.  The scale of this project is significant, but to put it in perspective, Guelph would need the equivalent of 20 of these projects to meet our minimum goals.  It is imperative we set the example on this project to stimulate further development and investment in Guelph’s downtown. 

 

The Guelph Chamber of Commerce has met with Tricar and other developers, who would all support Tricar leading a  successful development.  Tax assessment on the first of two developments is $650,000 per year.  Combined assessment is $1.2million.  Delays in each project result in a loss of $54,000 per month in taxes alone, not to mention other economic development benefits.   Time lines for these projects, including public consultation and City Council presentations need to be confirmed in order to assess construction schedules for developers.  Leaving things open adds a level of uncertainty to all projects.  The bar needs to be set for this project to lead the way for other successful developments.

 

Fusion Homes developing the Kilmer/Woods property is another example of what might be done to improve our residential inventory in the downtown.  The Downtown Secondary Plan should not inhibit, but should facilitate the creative use of this space.  The combination of floor space index and height limitations for this site could curtail what could be a very exciting project, for the City and one that would enhance public space.  Policies need to be flexible to allow for creative solutions instead of imposing limitations at this time. 

 
City staff maintains that the density goals referred to would be attained if every parcel of land was developed as identified on the maps found in Schedules A-D in the Secondary Plan.  We believe that it is highly unlikely if not impossible for every parcel to be developed within the time frame identified in Places to Grow and Prosperity 2020.  If the 18 storey maximum was achieved on both of Tricar’s properties they could be developed to their full potential and assist the City in getting as close to their density targets as possible.

 

Details within the Secondary Plan documents have been discussed with City planning staff last week and they communicated that the proposed extension of Fountain St is in fact an ‘Active Transportation Link’ for pedestrian and cycling traffic only and not a road.  Furthermore, they indicated that the final location of  this ‘Active Transportation Link’ would be determined through an Urban Design Master Plan for the area and that the Link could be located on the north or south edge of the ‘Marsh Tire’ site, or not on the site at all.  There is an existing walkway to the north of the site between it and the tracks, that would be suitable for pedestrian  and bicycle traffic, as well as the Surrey St extension that could be utilized.  While this is good news it has still been raised as an issue in a letter to the City regarding the Downtown Secondary Plan as Tricar would like assurances that the final location will not be as is currently shown.  One other point related to this proposed ‘Active transportation link’; the current link separates the Marsh Tire site and two different height designations have been placed on the resulting 2 ‘parcels’, Tricar will be calling for the entire site to have the same 18 storey height designation.

 

Measures from proposed studies in the report should also reflect economic development goals:  increasing current value assessments downtown, valuations of projects and timelines from start to finish, building permits issued by numbers and amounts, street level vacancy, office vacancy, residential growth.  An example can be found in the City of London 2011 State of the Downtown Report.  The attached links will take you to summary and detailed reports.  

The Guelph Chamber of Commerce is fully supportive of the Prosperity 2020 plan, and is aware of the need to conform with Places to Grow.  We are also cognizant of the fact that in order to successfully achieve these goals, we need to move forward with plans that make good business sense and are feasible for those willing to invest in the betterment of our community.  It is important to remember that those companies invest in more than buildings, they support the arts, local businesses and many other aspects of what contribute to making a positive impact in our community."

 

*Sections 11.1.7.2.2, 11.1.7.2.3, 11.1.7.3.3, 11.1.7.3.5, 11.1.7.3.6  http://guelph.ca/uploads/PBS_Dept/planning/documents/Downtown/web%20-%20Final%20DSP%20Report%20with%20attachments.pdf

 

Innovation Guelph Update

Innovation Guelph has now been operating one full year in the City of Guelph. Located in St George’s Square, two floors up from the Downtown Guelph Business Association, on the same floor as the Guelph Wellington Business Enterprise Centre, Innovation Guelph adds innovation support services to Guelph’s business district.

The first year of operation had Innovation Guelph operating as a project of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber will continue to provide connections into Guelph’s business community and look for opportunities for Guelph’s businesses to take advantage of the programs of Innovation Guelph. Innovation Guelph has just been registered as a stand-alone community benefit (not for profit) organization with its own Board of Directors. As a part of the Ontario Network of Excellence (ONE), Innovation Guelph connects to 14 similar organizations across the province funded by the province’s Department of Economic Development and Innovation. The suite of services offered fall into two groups: Business Acceleration Programs (BAP), and Industry Academic Collaboration Programs (IACP), Programs offered under BAP include complimentary entrepreneur in residence support services, connections to entrepreneurship training through MaRS in Toronto, mentorship opportunities, and connections to angel investor and venture capital markets. The intention is to help early stage innovation companies to commercialize their ideas, and accelerate their growth. IACP programs include connecting research from within businesses to research at any of Ontario’s colleges or universities to form collaborations between business and researchers. These programs apply to all types of businesses, from startup to multinational, and provide financial support for researchers through Ontario Centres of Excellence or federally through NSERC - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Innovation Guelph has worked with over 100 businesses in its first year, and has assisted in attracting over $1.5m in funding for support of business development in Guelph. Most of the early success has been though support of clean technologies, focused on development of water conservation or treatment. The Walkerton Clean Water Centre has opened an office within Innovation Guelph due to these early successes. Other projects include advanced manufacturing, IT development, and biotechnology. Much of the work is under confidentiality agreements, so flies under the radar. If you have an idea you think is worth exploring, that involves innovation, potential patents, job creation and economic development of an Ontario based business, Innovation Guelph would love to hear from you. For more information, drop a note under the Contact Us section of the website www.innovationguelph.ca or call the office at 519-265-4495.

Solar Project Backlog at OPA

How big is the backlog on solar applications? Since July 22 applications have increased on MicroFIT by 9,412. By comparison, conditional offers have only increased by 2,060.

The larger FIT program has 2,250 contracts on 9,234 applications. That compares to 1,285 contracts on 7,579 applications in July. Applications up by 2,000, contracts up by half that.

October 28, 2011 Microfit

Current Status No. of applications Total MW

Total applications 42,905 397 Applications terminated 5,027 50 Conditional offers 24,603 223 Contracts executed 8,494 73