Fundraising:
We held our first fundraising event for the year following
our AGM Feb.26th, 2005. Thank you Leo and Barry for your attendance
and your contribution to the Children's Pirate Cruises. We
raised over $3,000 net after expenses.
Membership: We have increased membership
to a 100 year high of 285 (as of March 22/05) Our goal of
300 members is in sight.
Partnerships: We secured funding for a B
R + E (Business Retention and Expansion) study from East Central
Ontario Training Board (ECOTB). This $15,000 study will be
paid for and conducted by ECOTB. It is a comprehensive, all
sector study that will include the entire County. Results
will be published in September, and will help prioritise objectives
and clearly identify options to meet the current and future
needs of our business community.
Funding: We secured a $7,500 grant from PELA/CFDC
for a public access computer centre. Four new computers have
been installed in PECCTAC's office. Two are for use by the
public (including visitors) to book accommodations, find out
about community events, select restaurants, find real estate
agents and other services in the community.
We have secured a $10,000 grant from PELA/CFDC to fund a marketing
program for our Accommodation Association (AA-PEC). Our webervations
site has attracted over 6,000 visitors "on-line"
seeking accommodation in The County. The majority of all available
rooms/ cottages/ trailer parks and campsites in the County
are now on the site. Members are reporting increased business
due to the webervation site.
We signed an agreement to have PECCTAC take over The Amazing
Loyalist Adventure, retaining the founder as a consultant
and expanding the event to an entire week as opposed to a
single weekend. "Seventy events in Seven Days"!
is our new slogan, and will encompass the entire County.
We have secured a generous HRDC grant to allow us to hire
a project co-coordinator for the Loyalist Adventure.
Tamara Porter has been hired and is working full time in the
PECCTAC office.
We launched "The Prince Edward County School
of Applied Arts". Our first course, the "Professional
Cook Program" starts in early April with ten students
who will go on to an apprenticeship in local County restaurants.
Andrew Laliberte, Michael Potters, Karin Potters, Suzanne
White, Michael Muli of ICEART as well as PELA Social Services
have agreed to teach segments of the course, which will include
a basic wine sommelier course and an entry level ice carving
course. We are in the process of signing a contract with PELA/CFDC
for a $25,000 matching grant. Currently, all but $7,000 of
the needed matching funds have been raised.
Advocacy: We were instrumental in the success
of the community post boxes lobbying effort.
Marketing: We have printed 80,000 Red Maps (up from 70,000
last year). The Red Map is the County's single most powerful
marketing tool. Almost full cost recovery through advertising
has been achieved.
Meet & Greets: We have re-launched our
monthly "Meet and Greet" meetings with a very large
turn out at Cherry Valley Restaurant on March 15th. "Taste
the County" was again invited to participate and promote
to our members the numerous projects they are involved in.
At our next "Meet and Greet" to be held at Alleycats
Restaurant in April, community event organizers will be invited
to discuss how the accommodation members can partner with
these events to create packages for their guests. Events to
be invited include "Taste, a celebration of Regional
Cuisine", The County Studio Tour, the Marathon, and the
Amazing Loyalist Adventure to name a few.
PECCTAC Office Maintenance: We have had to replace
the oil furnace in the PECCTAC office building at a cost of
over $4,000. This has been done.
Not bad for two and half months. Your Chamber is doing everything
possible to build business in our community. We are having
success in almost every sector.
Sincere Regards, T. Rob Brown - President
General Manager's Report
Do you want to see your property taxes increase
16.45%?
In 1998 the province of Ontario downloaded responsibility
for social housing, childcare, police & ambulance services
to the municipality under the provinces Community Reinvestment
Fund (CRF) program. The province agreed to pay the municipality
under this CRF agreement, to assume these essential services.
However, the province of Ontario has not paid the municipality
of Prince Edward since 2002 and is further going to cap this
funding for these essential services at the 2002 rates!
The taxpayers of Prince Edward County will be faced with a
16.45% increase to offset this shortfall from the province.
Act now by writing to Ernie Parsons, MPP to say we need his
help.
A letter has been drafted for you to sign if you drop into
the PECCTAC office. Don’t Wait!
Positive changes to Water Reg. 170 were
released on March 22nd. PECCTAC met with Minister Dombrowsky
last fall and through our membership with the Ontario Chamber
of Commerce our members concerns were acted on. This teamwork
and advocacy works! Read below for further information.
On March 8th, 2005 Mr. (William) Bill Smith of
Waupoos passed away. Many of you long-time PECCTAC members
will remember Bill as one of the founding members of Quinte’s
Isle Tourist Association (QITA) and two time President for
the years of 1963 to 67 and 1972 to 74. Mr. Smith was instrumental
in purchasing the building at 116 Main Street, which remains
a key location for visitors to our community to get tourist-
and all other information. It is this type of vision and commitment
that this community will remember him by.
Lawrie Ackerman – General Manager
Welcome New Members:
Carruther’s Chocolate Suite
Cherry Valley Restaurant
Edith Fox Life & Loss Centre
Flowers by Marvin
Honey’s B&B
Lakeview Cottages
Metronome (Group) Tours Ltd.
Quinte-Eco Consultants Inc.
Rostech Wireless Communications
The Red Barns (An Artisans’ Playground)
Tolita Guest Suite
William M. Martin, Barrister & Solicitor
Thank You for Your Support!
Meet & Greet Schedule:
April 19th – Alleycats Restaurant
May 17th – The Bean Counter
June 14th – Isaiah Tubbs Resort
July 19th – to ne announced
All our Meet & Greets start at 5pm. Come out and meet
your fellow business members
and show off your business.
AA PEC UPDATE
AAPEC now has 46 members paid up and on the webervations system.
Since August 8th, 3,693 visitors have visited our site. In
the first 10 weeks of 2005 we have had 2,329 visitors for
a total of 6,022 direct hits.
One of our Cottage/ Trailer park members that joined late
last year had 550 hits in just 14 weeks. These results show
the high “visibility” of the webervations system.
AAPEC has received funding from PELA CFDC in the amount of
$10,000. These funds will be used to market AAPEC.
Rick Caruso – Chairman AAPEC.
GOOD NEWS on Water Reg 170
Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky announced in her March
22 press release (included below) inspection of small water
systems is best overseen by public health units.
This move, as well as other recommendations contained in the
report, will enhance drinking water safety while making compliance
much simpler and more affordable. Minister Dombrowsky should
be commended for convening the expert panel, and for being
prepared to consider a recommendation that her own ministry
is not the best place for small private drinking water systems.
However, what we have right now is a set of recommendations
and the stated support of the minister. We will keep watching
as the regulations are developed to make sure that we get
what is being promised.
To see the final report in its entirety, go to: http://www.odwac.gov.on.ca/reports/020805_Reg_170_Final_Report.pdf
The following is an excerpt from the OCC
Newsletter – March 2004:
New Measures Aim to Reduce Risk of Identity Theft
As part of Fraud Awareness Month, The Honourable Jim Watson,
the Ontario Minister responsible for Consumer and Business
Services, launched the identity theft kit and checklist for
business - new information tools for businesses to reduce
their risk of identity theft.
"Identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in North
America," said Watson. "By understanding how to
protect the identity of their customers, businesses can help
prevent identity theft. Simply put, smart businesses are good
for consumers."
All documents are available on the Consumer Affairs Committee
(CMC) website, www.cmcweb.ca/idtheft,
including:
Consumer Identity Theft Kit:
· Consumer Identity Theft Checklist
· Tips for Reducing the Risk of Identity Theft
· Identity Theft - What to do if it happens to you
· The Identity Theft Statement: Frequently Asked Questions
· Identity Theft - Statement
Business Identity Theft Kit:
· Business Identity Theft Checklist
· Identity Theft: A Consumer Issue For Business
· What To Do When A Thief Strikes
· Tools: What and How To Tell Customers About a Breach
Canadian credit-reporting agencies receive more than 1,800
identity theft complaints each month. According to a U.S.
report, as much as 70 per cent of all identity theft begins
with theft of personal information from a company by an employee.
Access to the kit and checklist is also available from the
ServiceOntario website at www.serviceontario.ca.
For more information about identity theft, visit the Ministry
of Consumer and Business Services online at www.cbs.gov.on.ca
Fort Henry National Historic Site
Salutes Chambers of Commerce
Our Chamber members have been invited to see the award-winning
performance featuring the Fort Henry Guard Drums, Drill Squad
and Artillery Detachment, interpreting 1860’s military
music and drill.
On Wednesday, July 20th, 2005 you will receive 50% off the
regular admission rate. At 6 pm there is a “Captains
Reception” where you can network with other Chamber
members and at 7:30 p.m. will be the world famous sunset ceremony.
Chamber members must identify themselves at Admissions.
For further information please call Jan at 476-2421.
2005 Amazing Loyalist Adventure
Mark your calendars from September 17th through to
September 23rd.
Rob Brown, President of PECCTAC, at the recent 100th Anniversary
Gala Fundraising Event, outlined a new vision for The Amazing
Loyalist Adventure. “PECCTAC has received a generous
grant from HRDC, which will go toward making The Amazing Loyalist
Adventure into a Weeklong County-wide Celebration. 70
EVENTS in 7 DAYS – There will be 7 days of
History and Culture. 7 days of Action and Adventure. 7 Days
of Wine and Song. 7 Days of Food and Fun! This grant has allowed
us to hire Tamara Porter as Project Administrator who along
with Honey King, who will remain passionately involved, to
make the 10th year of the Amazing Loyalist Adventure incredible.”
Get more details by contacting Tamara Porter at The Amazing
Loyalist Adventure at 476-9246 or e-mail adventure@pecchamber.com.
Get ready, because soon Tamara will be coming around to visit
and ask: “Are you ready for an Amazing Loyalist Adventure?”
Trash Bash 2005
Trash Bash Day is on Saturday April 23rd.
This year PECCTAC is assisting by providing a location for
the distribution of the Trash Bash kits.
Stop into our office to pick up your kit.
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