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Vanessa S introduced today's guest speaker, Greg Durocher, the President and CEO of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. - Greg first spoke about the newest Chamber initiative, which was a $600,000 renovation of the Gateway building, adding 'The Link' - a number of 'PODS', to be rented out by anyone needing some temporary, and safe, space to work; the original plan was to provide hyper-clean work space, with extensive air purification systems to keep everyone safe - since COVID, the anticipated demand has waned, so now some of the PODS will be sponsored and manned by organizations that can help small to medium size businesses, such as EDC, IRAP, BDC, and Canadian Western Bank. - Greg also reviewed the significant impact the Cambridge Chamber, and all Canadian Chambers had on Government policy during the pandemic - one example is the Gov't suggesting a 10% wage subsidy (to keep people employed rather than going on EI); within 2 days, after feed back from the Chambers, they upped it to 75% - the Chambers also signed on to a program initiated by the Cambridge Chamber, where MILLIONS of rapid tests were delivered to businesses The Chamber and their incredible programs in the last 24 years have grown from 680 members and an annual budget of $321,000 (at a time when Todd Lyons was on the Chamber Board) to double the membership, and a budget of $2M per year (at a time when Rena H and Erica T are on the Chamber Board.... a coincidence???) Milja G thanked Greg for speaking with us today! PP Todd told perhaps the most incredible joke ever! Then Heidi P tried to upstage him - this bulletin editor thinks she failed... we need an applause meter to solve issues like this.... or, I suppose some would say we need a groan meter... Have a great weekend! |
