TKC Metal Recycling

Ken Baird wants to know what’s in your basement, and garage, as well as your office and warehouse!

Having spent over 2 decades in the recycling industry, Ken and his family have taken things to a whole new level with the launch of TKC Metal Recycling Inc., in St. Catharines.

TKC is the newest recycling facility in Niagara, which buys and sells all types of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals. Their wide range of services include scrap metal processing and transportation, electronic waste recycling, scrap vehicle depollution, demolition work, industrial and municipal waste recycling, and millwright services.

Ken feels it’s important to get the word out on how people can benefit financially and environmentally from the recycling process. “We are trying to educate people on many different aspects of recycling. They might have old cars, lawnmowers, computers or pots and pans sitting around gathering dust. Or they could bring them in for cash and do their part for the environment”.

A Family Oriented Business

The Baird family business takes it “TKC” name from Ken’s three children – Taylor (Operations Manager), Kelsey (metals trader), and daughter Cassandra who is currently studying at McMaster and helps out in the summer.

Looking Forward…

Right now, TKC Metal Recycling has a modest staff of 10 workers, including the Baird family, but they don’t plan to stay like that for very long. They are currently ramping up their hiring process to accommodate their growth and busy slate of projects.

Just last fall, for instance, TKC Metal Recycling began partnering with Starnino Environmental Recovery Inc. on the demolition of the former St. Catharines General Hospital property on Queenston St.

The Baird family are happy with the way Niagarans have welcomed their new venture into the community. Ken is just as pleased with TKC Metal Recycling’s continued growth.

“Things are going well, but we are not content to rest on our laurels. We’re committed to growing our business one customer at a time”.


TKC Metal Recycling Inc.

20 Cushman Road
St. Catharines, Ontario L2M 6S8
www.tkcmetalrecycling.com
ken@tkcmetalrecycling.com
905-688-2628

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Emilio Raimondo named as a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (FRAIC)

Niagara architect Emilio Raimondo has been named Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). The award of a Fellowship of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) recognise the recipient’s enhancement of excellence in the practice of architecture, in particular in one or more of the areas of design, building science, research, public service, education or literature. Emilio joins an esteemed list of distinguished architects in Canada who have made an impact on the nation’s built environment.

The award of a Fellowship to Emilio Raimondo was made on the recommendation of his peers in the Niagara Society of Architects, and was supported at the regional and national levels.

The award is relatively rare, and the following can be noted:

  1. Emilio Raimondo is the first architect practising in Niagara Falls to receive a Fellowship of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
  2. This is only the sixth Fellowship conferred on a Niagara-area architect, since the first was awarded to Robert Macbeth in 1945.

Niagara College – Wine Visitor & Education Centre

Emilio’s firm, Raimondo + Associates Architects Inc. (RAAI) has their offices on Queen Street in Niagara Falls, and has over twenty-five years of experience. The firm has created many noteworthy buildings in Niagara, including numerous buildings for the winery and tourism industries, schools and housing. Notable projects include Pathstone Mental Health, Bench Brewery, Colaneri Winery, Niagara College Winery, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum on Clifton Hill.

Branscombe Mental Health Centre, Pathstone Mental Health

Ian Ellingham, the chair of the Niagara Society of Architects, stated “The award of a Fellowship underlines the quality of design and construction services that are available from Niagara-area architects. The familiarity of Niagara architects with the unique cultural, social, economic and heritage aspects of our region mean they are especially capable of creating excellent, high performance products for their clients. Our members would all like to congratulate Mr. Raimondo on this award.”

Bench Brewing Company

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) was created in 1907 to promote architectural excellence in Canada, and the College of Fellows was formally created subsequently, taking its current form in 1941. RAIC is the leading voice of architecture and excellence in the built environment in Canada. Representing some 5,000 members, the RAIC advocates for design excellence, promotes responsible architecture and works to demonstrate the value of design in everyday life. One of the significant programmes is the RAIC Syllabus, whereby people can obtain their architectural qualifications through practical experience and courses of study, some by distance learning, and others offered at regional centres in various centres across Canada.

The convocation ceremony for the 2019 Fellows will be held in Toronto, Ontario on Thursday, October 29th at the 2019 RAIC Festival of Architecture.

Read the original press release here


Emilio Raimondo, President
Raimondo + Associates Architects Inc.
(905)-357-4441 Ext. 22
www.raimondoarchitects.com

Ian Ellingham, Chair
Niagara Society of Architects
(905)-684-5356
www.niagaraarchitects.ca

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Chamber This Week – June 21, 2019

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Chamber This Week – June 10, 2019

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Niagara Music Gives Fundraiser Returns for 2019

The Niagara Conservatory of Music along with sponsors Marz Homes will be putting on its 5th annual Music Gives fundraising event at Polonia Park (765 York Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake) on Saturday June 22nd.

All monies raised from the event will go towards their Music Gives program, benefiting less privileged youth across Niagara with music lessons. Since the inception of the program in the Spring of 2015, the Conservatory has donated over $30,000 in music lessons to students benefiting from the program, over $40,000 in musical instruments to local elementary schools and students at their homes, and have fundraised close to an additional $20,000 to be able to reach more families who otherwise might not be given the opportunity.

Doors open at 12:00 p.m. Come by and enjoy some great live music throughout the day along with some barbecue and refreshments. Ladies from the Canadian Polish Society will also have fresh perogies and cabbage available throughout the afternoon. Inflatables for the kids, along with some games, raffle prizes and so much more.

The day’s festivities will also see a special performance take place at 5:00 p.m. with a number of friends from Day of 1000 Musicians.  Around 50 musicians will gather to perform Summer Of 69.

If you would like to speak with Greg from the Niagara Conservatory of Music about the annual fundraiser, please e-mail to info@niagaraconservatory.com or call @ (905) 708-5051.

 

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Women in Business Awards Recipients

[[“Year”,”Award”,”Name”,”Company”,”Finalist/Recipient”],[“2000″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Jackie Kevill”,”Loony Lizard Ltd.”,”Recipient”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Margie Spence”,”Royal LePage Niagara Real Estate Centre Inc.”,”Recipient”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Janet Johnston”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Nance MacLeod”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”June Jobson”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Barbara Grund”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Laura Bruce”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Marilyn Bodogh”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Carolyn Gear”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Christine Dernederlanden”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Ann Mantini”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Wanda Harding”,””,”Finalist”],[“2001″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Ineke Brinkman”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Angie Strauss”,”Strauss Galleries Inc.”,”Recipient”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Susan Bocchinfuso”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Marilyn Bodogh”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Ineke Brinkman”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Kristin Brunsdale”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Shawna Coke”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Christine Dernederlanden”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Mary Frado”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Carolyn Gear”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Wanda Harding”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Lori Kilby”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Nance MacLeod”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Ann Mantini”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Brenda Lee Niles”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Dianne Renton”,””,”Finalist”],[“2002″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Vittoria Wikston”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Debi Pratt”,”Inniskillin Wines”,”Recipient”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Connie Aube”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Heidi Collier”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Sue Chury”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Sandra Elsley”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Heather Fasulo”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Mary Frado”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Nance MacLeod”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Mary J. Marr”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Donna Leigh Moody”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Sandra Murre”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Deborah Pratt”,””,”Finalist”],[“2003″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Karri Spiece”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Debbie Sevenpifer”,”Niagara Health System”,”Recipient”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Linda Bouw”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Leena Bukhari”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Letitia DiBellonia”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Deanna DiMaurizio-Smith”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Katherine Fisher”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Erika Froese”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Sandy Hunter”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Lori Kilby”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Nance MacLeod”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Barbara Morris”,””,”Finalist”],[“2004″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Nancy Schappert”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Linda Bouw”,”Northend Floral”,”Recipient”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Anita Caslin”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Debbie Cornelius”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Terry Dow”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Katherine Fisher”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Gloria Cecilia Garcia”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Dr. Nance MacLeod”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Ann Mantini”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Barbara Morris”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Dr. Julia Murray”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Barbara Paxton”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Christine Rae”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Valerie Salomons”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Nancy Schappert”,””,”Finalist”],[“2005″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Maria Luisa Tiro”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Hilary Caters”,”Caters Hardy Design Studio”,”Recipient”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Janet Allan”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Barbara Beaudoin”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Ann Bering”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Steffanie Bjorgan”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Carla Carlson”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Angela Carter”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Hilary Caters”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Rhegan Favell-Jarrett”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Rachel Hill-Campbell”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Anne Kelly”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Diane Lee”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Norma Medulun”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Tonie Mori”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Barbara Morris”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Christine Raby”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Ronya Ripenburg”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Marnie Lynn Sennet”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Angelique Sobschak”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Karen Stearne”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Brenda Vlaar”,””,”Finalist”],[“2006″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Melissa St. Onge”,””,”Finalist”],[“2007″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Laura Menechella”,”Niagara 21st Group”,”Recipient”],[“2007″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Patricia Durocher”,”Bloomin’ Busy Flower Shop”,”Finalist”],[“2007″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Josie Jansen”,”Small Business Club Niagara/Women in Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2007″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Terry Dow”,”Destination Marketing Services”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Betty Ann Baker”,”Niagara Peninsula Homes”,”Recipient”],[“2008″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Reni de Verteuil”,”Henley Honda”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Janey Lee”,”Marlin Travel”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Tamara Mitchell”,”Simply Delicious Fruit Bouquets Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Patti Wallington”,”Occasions in Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Grace Wileichuk-Smith”,”Photography with Grace”,”Finalist”],[“2008″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Ildi Wiley”,”Results Continuum Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2009″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Chris Alderson”,”Alderson & Company”,”Recipient”],[“2009″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Chevonn Cook”,”Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Ltd.”,”Finalist”],[“2009″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Michelle Walker”,”Pathways Academy and Early Learning Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2009″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Laurie Flasko”,”Laurie Flasko Consulting”,”Finalist”],[“2009″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Sarah Giovannone”,”Yoga By Sarah”,”Finalist”],[“2009″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Tina Lee”,”Well Well Well Nutrition Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2009″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Rachel Delaney”,”Rachel Delaney Insurance Agency Ltd.”,”Finalist”],[“2009″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Maria Klokkou”,”Maria Klokkou Fine Art”,”Finalist”],[“2009″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Tracey Ferreira”,”Emma’s Closet”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Barbara Grumme”,”Century 21 Realty”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Sheryl Wherry”,”Meridian Credit Union”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Nancy Diamond”,”Kelly Services”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Carrie Zeffiro”,”Niagara Child & Youth Services Foundation”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Sandi Chard”,”Family Recreation Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Anne Lenard Otto”,”Distinctive Designs & Cabinetry Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Gina Broccolo”,”Integrity Health Group”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Elaine Fritshaw”,”Century 21 Realty”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Patti Mills-Roy”,”Canadian Tire Store #033 Fort Erie”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Josie De Lazzari”,”Re/Max Niagara Realty Ltd.”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Business Woman of the Year”,”Michelle Zappitelli”,”Zappi’s Pizzeria – Zap Hospitality Management”,”Finalist”],[“2010″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Debbie Slade”,”Brock Centre for the Arts”,”Recipient”],[“2010″,”Corporate Award”,”Kimberly Hundertmark”,”Niagara Grape and Wine Festival”,”Recipient”],[“2010″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Nicolette Novak”,”The Good Earth Food and Wine Co”,”Recipient”],[“2011″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Karen Stearne”,”Heart Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2011″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Deborah Sunstrum”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Brandi Niedling”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Shazia Khan”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Alison Brown”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Corporate Award”,”Sarah Vazquez”,”Canadian Niagara Hotels”,”Recipient (Tie)”],[“2011″,”Corporate Award”,”Kerry Painter”,”Scotiabank Convention Centre”,”Recipient (Tie)”],[“2011″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Diana Valsi-Nekoi”,”The Vision Clinic”,”Recipient”],[“2011″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Debbie Goch”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Kelly Gillard”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Laura Macdonell”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Mary Marr”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Michele Auger”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Sherry Campbell”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Linda Crago”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Donna Herrington”,””,”Finalist”],[“2011″,”Up and Coming Award”,”Alyssa Freeman”,”Brock University”,”Recipient”],[“2011″,”Up and Coming Award”,”Melanie Denis”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Deborah Zahra”,”Boston Pizza Welland”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Nancy McIntosh”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Community Spirit Award”,”April Jeffs”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Mary Speck”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Tara Colaneri”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Jennifer Wallace”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Mary Margaret Murphy”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Barbara Grumme”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Corporate Award”,”Deborah Zahra”,”Boston Pizza Welland”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Corporate Award”,”Joyce Morocco”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Corporate Award”,”Denise Faraday”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Educator Award”,”Ann Marie Maloney”,”Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Educator Award”,”Dawn Elliott”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Educator Award”,”Melissa Turcotte”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Educator Award”,”Marina Wilson”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Sherry Campbell”,”Sherry Campbell Group”,”Recipient”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Barbara Grumme”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Karlee Marshall”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Jessica Kemp”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Monica Root”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Kathleen Rode”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Deborah Toth”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Chelsey Cook”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Jenna Young”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Isabell Camillo”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Trish Morton”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Entrepreneur Award”,”Lee Oszust”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Up and Coming Award”,”Jane Van Den Dries”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Up and Coming Award”,”Patricia Bernardo”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Up and Coming Award”,”Naveen Khan”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Up and Coming Award”,”Marda Cuena”,””,”Finalist”],[“2012″,”Up-and-coming Award”,”Joanna Polillo”,”Niagara College”,”Recipient”],[“2013″,”Award records are not available for 2013″,””,””,”Recipient”],[“2014″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Leanne Standryk”,”Lancaster, Brooks & Welch LLP”,”Recipient”],[“2014″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Anne Lennard -Otto”,”Distinctive Designs & Cabinetry Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2014″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Nancy Schappert”,”Niagara Inflatables & Games Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2014″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Elisabeth Zimmermann”,”YWCA”,”Recipient”],[“2014″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Candice Turner-Smith”,”Niagara Symphony Orchestra”,”Finalist”],[“2014″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Cathy Berkhout-Bosse”,”MyPelham.com”,”Finalist”],[“2014″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Tamara Jensen”,”El Gastronomo Vagabundo”,”Recipient”],[“2014″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Gail Belchior”,”Financial Divorce Solutions”,”Finalist”],[“2014″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Tammara Scaringi”,”On Demand Staffing”,”Finalist”],[“2014″,”Excellence in Science, Innovation and Technology”,”Mira Hube”,”Algoma Central Corporation”,”Finalist”],[“2014″,”Excellence in Science, Innovation and Technology”,”Ginny Paterson”,”St. Catharines Physiotherapy Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2014″,”Excellence in Science, Innovation and Technology Award”,”Debra Inglis”,”Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute”,”Recipient”],[“2014″,”Lifetime Achievement Award”,”Sheryl Wherry”,”Meridian Credit Union”,”Recipient”],[“2015″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Denise Burke”,”Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club \u00c3\u00a2\u00c2\u0080\u00c2\u009a\u00c3\u0083\u00c2\u0084\u00c3\u0083\u00c2\u00ac OHL”,”Recipient”],[“2015″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Bev Hodgson”,”Bev Hodgson Law”,”Finalist”],[“2015″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Lisa Benger”,”Walker Industries Holdings Ltd.”,”Finalist”],[“2015″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Marion Wright”,”Gillian\u00c3\u00a2\u00c2\u0080\u00c2\u009a\u00c3\u0083\u00c2\u0084\u00c3\u0083\u00c2\u00b4s Place”,”Recipient”],[“2015″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Frances Lettieri”,”Big Brothers Big Sisters”,”Finalist”],[“2015″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Jennifer Anderson”,”Niagara Grape and Wine Festival”,”Finalist”],[“2015″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Kim Van Stygeren”,”The Brain Farm”,”Finalist”],[“2015″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Shannon Passero”,”Shannon Passero”,”Recipient”],[“2015″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Katie Morris”,”Kultur Hair Studio”,”Finalist”],[“2015″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Trudy Bowslaugh”,”The Frosted Cupcake”,”Finalist”],[“2015″,”Excellence in Science, Innovation and Technology”,”Sue-Ann Staff”,”Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery”,”Finalist”],[“2015″,”Excellence in Science, Innovation and Technology”,”Wendy Garrington”,”Shark Marine Technologies Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2015″,”Excellence in Science, Innovation and Technology”,”Dr. Janice Giesbrecht”,”Niagara Health System”,”Recipient”],[“2015″,”Lifetime Achievement Award”,”Debbie Slade”,”Centre for the Arts \u00c3\u00a2\u00c2\u0080\u00c2\u009a\u00c3\u0083\u00c2\u0084\u00c3\u0083\u00c2\u00ac Brock University”,”Recipient”],[“2016″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Carolyne Watts”,”GM”,”Recipient”],[“2016″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Lisa Philip”,”Garden Angels”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Rhonda Taylor”,”PenFinancial Credit Union”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Roseanne Morissette”,”Performance Cars”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Business of Science and Technology Award”,”Sandra Buffett”,”Jordan Engineering Inc.”,”Recipient”],[“2016″,”Business of Science and Technology Award”,”Amy Bowen”,”Vineland Research and Innovation Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Business of Science and Technology Award”,”Denise Van Osch”,”Niagara College Canada”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Cathy Berkhout-Bosse”,”myPelham”,”Recipient”],[“2016″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Cheryl Corris”,”Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate – Niagara Premiere”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Terri Commisso”,”Commissos”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Renee Rebelo”,”Life Coach Financial Strategies/Savvy Livin for Women”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Kelly Provost”,”St. Catharines Enterprise Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Juliet Dunn”,”Niagara Jazz Festival”,”Recipient”],[“2016″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Kasia Dupuis”,”4Cats Arts Studio”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Jane Elliott”,”Ballet Etc.”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Sarah Jarvis”,”Craft Arts Market”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Allie Hughes”,”Hughes & Co.”,”Recipient”],[“2016″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Jessica Pineda”,”Paint Nite Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Nicole Pajak”,”Small Batch Granola”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Crystal D’Cunha”,”The INSIDE View Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Lifetime Achievement Award”,”Mary Turner”,”Canadian Tire Bank”,”Recipient”],[“2016″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Stacy Elia”,”Grimsby Benevolent Fund”,”Recipient”],[“2016″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Gillian Kemp”,”Niagara Furniture Bank”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Tikvah Mindorff”,”Niagara Sustainability Initiative (NSI)”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Coletta McGrath”,”Quest Community Health Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Tourism Award”,”Karen Whitty”,”13th Street Winery”,”Recipient”],[“2016″,”Tourism Award”,”Dorian Anderson”,”Dorian & Associates”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Tourism Award”,”Robin Ridesic”,”Exchange Brewery”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Tourism Award”,”Robin Garrett”,”Meridian Reservation Systems”,”Finalist”],[“2016″,”Tourism Award”,”Ann Marie Nitsopoulos”,”Old Stone Inn”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Jody Vizza”,”PenFinancial Credit Union”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Brandy Gauthier”,”CIBC”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Business Leadership Award”,”N’ora Kalb”,”Innovate Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Nadia Ali”,”Revel Realty”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Tammy Conlon Carlomusto”,”Premiere Mortgage Center”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Ann Mantini-Celima”,”Wellspring Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Alex Pedersen”,”CAA Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Dawn Lagesten”,”KPMG LLP”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Madi Fuller”,”Caddle Canada & ncTakeOff”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Valerie Chalmers”,”Valerie Chalmers Social Media Marketing”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Annie Wilson”,”FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Bonnie Beres”,”Harmony on West”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Johann Munro”,”Shed Pottery”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Monica Dufault”,”Essential Collective Theatre”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Natasha Pedros”,”Niagara Artists Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Lisa Carlomusto”,”Dental Hygiene of Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Ashley Brown”,”She Implements”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Gayle Hanlon”,”Coffee News of St. Catharines”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Sarah McVanel”,”Greatness Magnified”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Jacquelene Igel-Del Col”,”Tintern Road & Zooma Caters”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”April Mitchell-Boudreau”,”BeadQueen”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Catherine O’Donnell”,”Willow Cakes and Pastries”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Jolene Antle”,”Garden City Essentials”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Vivienne Dineen”,”Moksha Yoga St. Catharines”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Excellence in Tourism”,”Emily Oriold”,”The Foster Festival”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Excellence in Tourism”,”Angela Marotta Melissa Marotta-Paolicelli”,”Two Sisters Winery”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Excellence in Tourism”,”Anna Pierce”,”Niagara Helicopters”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Excellence in Tourism”,”Jenny Crumb”,”Cycle-Logical Rentals”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Lifetime Achievement Award”,”Margie Spence”,”Royal LePage Niagara Real Estate Centre Inc.”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Gina Collins Ramkissoon”,”Last Mile Wireless Internet Inc”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Anna D’Amore”,”Truvi Beauty”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Meghan Chayka”,”Stathletes”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Rachel Epp”,”Bare”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Jennifer Harper”,”Cheekbone Beauty”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Betty Ann Baker”,”Niagara Peninsula Homes”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Leah Feor”,”Simply Sustainable”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Renee Delaney”,”Niagara Farm Project”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Young Professional Award”,”Kelly Liddycoat”,”Bocchinfuso Funeral Home Inc.”,”Recipient”],[“2017″,”Young Professional Award”,”Kristina Gottli”,”Form and Affect”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Young Professional Award”,”Marcia Young”,”St. John Ambulance”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Young Professional Award”,”Melanna Giannakis”,”Meridian Credit Union”,”Finalist”],[“2017″,”Young Professional Award”,”Trina Rubino”,”Root Bissonnette Walker LLP”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Sarah Wood”,”Niagara Parks Commission”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Amy Layton”,”Royal LePage NRC Realty”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Business Leadership Award”,”Shannon Sutherland”,”Walker Industries”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Carey Benvenuti”,”Dominion Lending – Home Capital Solutions/ No One Goes Hungry Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Alexis Kleiman”,”DSBN Educational Research & Innovation Hub”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Maria del Carmen Suescun Pozas”,”Seedling for Change in Society and Environment”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Vivienne Dineen”,”Modo Yoga”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Community Spirit Award”,”Yvonne Nasri”,”CAA Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Michele-Elise Burnett”,”Celebration of Nations”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Alice Burke”,”Alice Burke”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Jenny Dean”,”Cabar-EH Youth Theatre”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Lisa Cosens-Brillon”,”Brillon Music Studio”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Susan Wilkinson”,”The Painted Turtle”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Jennifer Newman”,”Second Dance”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Heather Kent”,”Feeder Flower Farm”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Jessica Silvestri”,”Bella Buddha Beads”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Robin Ridesic”,”The Exchange Brewery”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Tara Popiluk-Kulawic”,”Urban Cravings”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Christine Raby”,”AAPEX Driving Academy”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Emily Rozema”,”Mingle Hill Farms”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Shailina Halani”,”Sense Of Beauty Spa”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Teresa Schaubel”,”Custom Image Sales and Giftologie”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Chris Robertson”,”Loud + Clear”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Lifetime Achievement Award”,”Betty-Lou Souter”,”Community Care St. Catharines – Thorold”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Stephanie Thompson”,”General Motors of Canada”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Dr. Amy Proulx”,”Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Sharon Reeds”,”Intuitive Shipping”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Shelley Mannell”,”HeartSpace Physical Therapy for Children”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Renee Delaney”,”Small Scale Farms”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Debbie VanGrieken”,”Moyaa Shea Butter”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Laura Ip”,”Underdogs Boxing Club”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Sarah Lockbaum”,”Niagara Mobile Foot Care/Niagara School of Foot Care”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Social Enterprise Award”,”Shauna MacLeod”,”Willow Arts Community”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Tourism Award”,”Beverly Smith”,”Niagara’s South Coast Guest House”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Tourism Award”,”Karen Doyle”,”City of St. Catharines”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Tourism Award”,”Natalie Stickles”,”Five by Five Design Studio”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Tourism Award”,”Shelley Traver”,”Rockway Vineyards”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Young Professional Award”,”Diana Aquino”,”Walker Environmental Group Incorporated”,”Recipient”],[“2018″,”Young Professional Award”,”Allison Findlay”,”Flat Rock Cellars”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Young Professional Award”,”Chantelle Mamone”,”Meridian Credit Union”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Young Professional Award”,”Julie Van Ruyven”,”Business Link Media Group”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Young Professional Award”,”Mahnoor Sarwar”,”Crawford Smith & Swallow Chartered Accountants LLP”,”Finalist”],[“2018″,”Young Professional Award”,”Michelle Biskup”,”Niagara River Lions”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,””,”Niagara Casinos”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,””,”B4 Networks Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,””,”Tim Hortons”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Community Impact Award”,”Lori Beech”,”Bethlehem Housing & Support Services”,”Recipient”],[“2019″,”Community Impact Award”,”Christine Dernederlanden C.T.S.S.”,”Robert’’s Press Empowering People Through Life’s Challenges”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Community Impact Award”,”Jessica Friesen”,”Gales Gas Bars Limited”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Community Impact Award”,”Stephanie Hicks”,”Beamsville Business Improvement Area”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Community Impact Award”,”Ashley Williams”,”CIBC”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Deanna Jones”,”Suitcase in Point Theatre Company / In the Soil Arts Festival”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Amanda Nelli”,”Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir”,”Recipient”],[“2019″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Laurie Sadowski”,”Niagara Health”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Bronwyn Campbell”,”Pippa & Peach”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Peggy Harnock”,”The Social Gourmet”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Barbara Lee & Keri Evers”,”Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Sharon Reeds”,”Intuitive Shipping”,”Recipient”],[“2019″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Marilyn Cirello-Vendittelli”,”Industry Hair & Esthetics”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Sandra D’Alessandro”,”Sandra’s Home Care Health Services”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Lorna Kane”,”Kane’s Distributing”,”Recipient”],[“2019″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Laura MacDonell”,”Water Superstore Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Laurie-Ann Whitnall”,”Thermography Clinic Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award”,”Jennifer Ferguson”,”Niagara Casinos”,”Recipient”],[“2019″,”Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award”,”Carrie Paolone”,”Scotiabank Convention Centre”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award”,”Ryleigh Unrau”,”Blossom Fest-Cherry Lane”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Leadership Award”,”Shelley Dix”,”Recipient”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Leadership Award”,”Cara Krezek”,”Brock University”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Leadership Award”,”Rebecca Nicholls”,”Niagara College Community Employment Services”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Lifetime Achievement Award”,”Debi Pratt”,”Goodwill Ambassador, and Voice of the Canadian Wine Industry and the Great Estates of Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2019″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Vickie DeVos”,”iMVR”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Kathy Lerette”,”Alectra Utilities”,”Recipient”],[“2019″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Achamma Matthews”,”360Winery”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Young Professional Award”,”Lesley Clarke”,”Walker Industries Holdings Limited”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Young Professional Award”,”Danielle Kessel”,”Loblaws”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Young Professional Award”,”Caroline Sherk”,”Verge Insurance Group”,”Recipient”],[“2019″,”Young Professional Award”,”Krystal Snider”,”YWCA of Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2019″,”Young Professional Award”,”Dr. Stephanie Yurkewich”,”ProActive Chiropractic”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,”Wilma Snippe”,”H2Only Inc”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,”Amy Layton”,”Royal LePage NRC Realty”,”Recipient”],[“2020″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,”Lina Kennedy”,”Alexandria Professional”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,”MarkMeldrum.com”,”MarkMeldrum.com”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Community Impact Award”,”Holly Mundula”,”Meridian Credit Union \u00c3\u0090 Business Banking”,”Recipient”],[“2020″,”Community Impact Award”,”Jess Boulay”,”Giant Shoe Creative Agency”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Community Impact Award”,”Patrizia Trapasso”,”Locomotive Marketing Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Community Impact Award”,”Lori Gill”,”Attachment and Trauma Treatment Centre for Healing (ATTCH) Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Taryn Herritt & Angela Osborne”,”The Atelier Collective”,”Recipient”],[“2020″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Lesley Calvin”,”Positive Forward Motion, Inc”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Dr. Daniela DiPaola”,”Impact Health Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Annette Smith”,”Lip Service Beauty”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Andrea McGee”,”Soul Fire Power Yoga”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Crystal D\u00c3\u0095Cunha”,”The INSIDE View Inc.”,”Recipient”],[“2020″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Jessica Silvestri”,”Bella Buddha Beads”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Jordin Wiggins”,”Health Over All”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Excellence in Non-Profit Award”,”Sarah Pritula”,”Community Crew”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Excellence in Non-Profit Award”,”Jennifer Gauthier”,”Women\u00c3\u0095s Place of South Niagara Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Excellence in Non-Profit Award”,”Carol Nagy”,”Hospice Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2020″,”Excellence in Non-Profit Award”,”Anna Bozza”,”Family and Children\u00c3\u0095s Services Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Young Professional Award”,”Rachel Dedinsky”,”Giant Shoe Creative Agency”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Young Professional Award”,”Nahida Al-Kayed”,”Eastway Auto Service Ltd.”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Young Professional Award”,”Rebecca Winstanley”,”AutoTrim & Signs / Elements Graphic Design”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Young Professional Award”,”Amanda Fletcher”,”CAA Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2020″,”Young Professional Award”,”Kayleigh Rossetto”,”Brock University Students\u00c3\u0095 Union”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Leadership Award”,”Amanda Etherington”,”Niagara Health”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Leadership Award”,”Ashleigh Myers”,”Bell Media”,”Recipient”],[“2020″,”Leadership Award”,”Marianne Tykolis Casey”,”Stevensville Garden Gallery”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Stephanie Thompson”,”STEM by Steph”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Ericka Evans”,”Phantom Compass”,”Recipient”],[“2020″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Rowe Prudente & Brandy Henderson”,”Ownera Group Inc & BRRiJ Solutions Inc”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Science & Technology Award”,”Jill Russell”,”District School Board of Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award”,”Vittoria Wikston”,”Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games”,”Recipient”],[“2020″,”Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award”,”Marissa Hartley”,”Chz Plz”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award”,”Lezlie Harper”,”Niagara Bound Tours”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Chelsea Wainwright”,”Niagara Ballet School”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Elaine Wallis”,”Signature Sign & Image”,”Finalist”],[“2020″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Sara Palmieri”,”FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,”Jen McKenna”,”Little Chief & Co.”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,”Beth Buckmaster”,”Hatch”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,”CAA Niagara”,”CAA Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Business that Gives Back Award”,”Mutsa Charamba, Erica Williams, Erika Smith, Jaida Steenhuis, Natasha Bell”,”Matter of Black”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Community Impact Award”,”Lisa Hall”,”Lisa Hall Insurance and Financial Services Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Community Impact Award”,”Kristen Marischuk”,”Counselling by Kristen”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Community Impact Award”,”Maria Mavridis”,”Anchor Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Corporate Leadership Award”,”Lisa Vinc”,”Bell Media”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Corporate Leadership Award”,”Sara Holmes”,”Meridian Credit Union”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Corporate Leadership Award”,”Christine Dekker”,”Meridian Credit Union”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Corporate Leadership Award”,”Tracy Feor”,”General Motors of Canada”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Emily Oriold”,”The Foster Festival”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Cultural Arts Award”,”Diana McAdorey”,”Chorus Niagara”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Donna Martens”,”Pure Non-Scents Ltd.”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Eileen Gibson”,”Scotty\u00d5s Dog Walking/Training”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Emerging Business Award”,”Kristin Messina”,”Chaos Simplified”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Susan Knighton”,”Earth Angel Landscaping & Property Maintenance”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Allison Kares”,”Movement Unlimited Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Entrepreneurship Award”,”Kelly Braun”,”Kraun Electric”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Excellence in Non-Profit”,”Elisabeth Zimmermann”,”YWCA Niagara Region”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Excellence in Non-Profit”,”Margaret Lockhart”,”Bethesda Community Services Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Excellence in Non-Profit”,”Shelley Mercer”,”Bethesda Community Services Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Excellence in Non-Profit”,”Ashley Waters”,”Scouts Canada”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Health Care Hero”,”Melissa Gagnon”,”Empower Communication Services”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Health Care Hero”,”Nicole Johnson”,”Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Innovations in Hospitality and Tourism”,”Danuela Freel”,”Four Point Travel”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Innovations in Hospitality and Tourism”,”Ann Marie Nitsopoulos”,”Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Innovations in Hospitality and Tourism”,”Janice Thomson”,”Niagara Falls Tourism”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Science and Technology Award”,”Kelly Murray”,”ASI Group Ltd.”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Science and Technology Award”,”Alissa van Overbeeke”,”ASI Group Ltd.”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Science and Technology Award”,”Sabine Steinbrecher”,”Learning Library Inc. / Hiveology”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Science and Technology Award”,”Agnieszka Krzywinska”,”Adjective Noun Studios Inc.”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Science and Technology Award”,”Heidi Levitzky”,”Niagara College”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Science and Technology Award”,”Bex McKnight”,”McKnight Inclusive Design”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Young Professional Award”,”Natasha DiCienzo”,”Scotia Wealth Management”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Young Professional Award”,”Kailene Jackson”,”CIVICONNECT Youth Community Engagement Org.”,”Recipient”],[“2021″,”Young Professional Award”,”Jordan Riley”,”Central Auto Niagara”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Young Professional Award”,”Alyshia Iafrate”,”Vitasana Health + Fitness Ltd.”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Young Professional Award”,”Thalia Semplonius”,”Niagara Workforce Planning Board”,”Finalist”],[“2021″,”Young Professional Award”,”Alexandra Lacivita”,”The Village Boutique”,”Finalist”]]

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Business After 5 – June 4, 2019

On June 4, Great Wolf Lodge hosted our monthly Business After 5 series at their Loon Lagoon. Thank you to 2019 BA5 presenter FirstOntario Credit Union, the staff from Great Wolf Lodge, and all members who helped to make the evening a success. The Club C Event Centre at Club Castropignano was also recognized for their 45th anniversary in business. Congratulations!

Mark your calendars now for our BA5 NEXTNiagara Takeover on July 11 at the Outlet Collection at Niagara! Get a reminder here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/business-after-5-nextniagara-takeover-july-9-2019-tickets-61241334480

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Charles Conteh: Engaging the next frontier of manufacturing in Niagara

From the economic decimation of cataclysmic plant closures, layoffs and a massive spike in poverty some 20 years ago, Niagara has moved to seeing positive trends in manufacturing in recent years.

Employment in the region’s manufacturing sector has increased 13 per cent over the past six years (2012-18). Sector-wide, manufacturing employment increased by 2,075 jobs during the same period.

There are more than 17,000 people employed in the manufacturing sector consisting of more than 600 businesses, making it the largest slice of the region’s economic pie, worth $2.17 billion.

The manufacturing upswing is not a temporary glitch but is grounded in a growth trend that reflects a diverse range of emerging knowledge-intensive and innovation-driven sectors such as transportation equipment, fabricated metal products, food and beverage, machinery and furniture and the like. As of 2016, there were 243 manufacturing firms in Niagara that exported goods they produced to one or more continents. The value of goods exported by all Niagara manufacturers in 2016 was approximately $3.7 billion, of which $3.6 billion was exported across North America.

Without a doubt, the emerging trends in Niagara’s manufacturing attest to the region’s growing competitiveness and resilience in the face of rapid transitions in technologies, markets and economic shocks over the past three decades. However, for the region to engage the next frontier of sustainable economic growth and job creation, there are a few things worth considering.

First, manufacturing’s resurgence is not a purely local affair. The region`s manufacturing sector is entangled in a complex web of supply chains that spans a vast industrial corridor well beyond Niagara. This means that Niagara needs to align its industrial strategy more closely with those of neighbouring economic clusters in Hamilton, the GTA and the Buffalo region.

Call it a “mega-cluster” strategy. For a region the size of Niagara, mega-clusters provide strategic opportunities for the region to pool its assets with neighbouring regions to carve a sizable and sustainable niche in the turbulent landscape of the global economy.

Second, as the region embraces opportunities and challenges of a knowledge-based economy, making the transition to a vibrant industrial innovation hub would be incomplete without ratcheting up current efforts at skills training and upgrades for the local labour market. Brock University and Niagara College have been making impressive strides in this direction.

A case in point is Brock’s recent decision to partner with Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce and south Niagara chambers of commerce on a survey to better understand how the talent and skills capacity of the region lines up with the needs of employers. Building on these strategic initiatives will help Niagara guard against the “ghosts-without-feet” syndrome that affects other regions, whereby a small fraction of the labour force makes a decent living in a few highly celebrated industries while a large number of workers are stuck in the dark alleys and low-road trap of precarious and low-wage jobs. Escaping this vortex of economic precarity and marginalization requires a tailored investment in specialized and concerted skills training and internship programs that synchronize the efforts of post-secondary institutions, the private sector and government.

The third and final point is a need to give serious thought to the role of institutional intermediaries to serve as the concierge of Niagara`s manufacturing sector.

Niagara currently has no legitimate platform that facilitates the industrial strategies of its multiple jurisdictions. The best way to enable knowledge-generation and synergies to stimulate and foster innovation and economic growth is through the creation of networking structures of key stakeholder groups. This allows for successful interactions between a broad range of economic actors — including governments, business associations, post-secondary institutions and not-for-profit organizations.

An ‘innovation broker’ platform is critical to begin, facilitate and sustain this process. This innovation intermediary can be the crucial tool to enable knowledge-creation activities and the sharing and exploitation of knowledge for innovation synergies and economic growth.

Without this facilitator to bring the often-fragmented regional stakeholders together in the ‘big tent,’ the potential synergies for the genesis and assimilation of innovation and its transformation into economic growth and job creation may never be realized.

Charles Conteh is an associate professor of public policy and management in the department of political science at Brock University. cconteh@brocku.ca


Original article: https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/opinion-story/9397896-charles-conteh-engaging-the-next-frontier-of-manufacturing-in-niagara/

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GNCC co-sponsors resolution calling for tax relaxation on Ontario wines

The wine and grape industry is a massive driver to the province’s economy. In 2015, it contributed $4.4 billion to the Ontario economy by supporting 18,000 jobs and hundreds of small family-owned businesses, while also attracting over 2.4 million tourists to wine country every year

By Rakesh Naidu
Windsor Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce

On May 4th, I had the pleasure of attending the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s AGM to present a policy resolution which seeks to make changes to the retail sale of alcohol in Ontario to demonstrate support for the local industry and jobs in the wine and grape sector. The resolution was co-sponsored by the Leamington Chamber of Commerce, Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce and Grimsby Chamber of Commerce.

The wine and grape industry is a massive driver to the province’s economy. In 2015, it contributed $4.4 billion to the Ontario economy by supporting 18,000 jobs and hundreds of small family-owned businesses, while also attracting over 2.4 million tourists to wine country every year. Ontario Craft Wineries alone represent over 100 wineries across the province with a vast majority being small to medium sized family-owned businesses. Their craft wines are a significant driver of the Ontario rural economy due to VQA wines being 100% Ontario grown and produced, which contrasts to other alcohol beverage sectors in the province.

The grape and wine industry is also a significant driver for the local economy in regions such as Niagara, Prince Edward County, Lake Erie North Shore, and other areas in Windsor-Essex County such as Pelee Island. Essex County contains 17 wineries that produce award-winning wines owing to the area’s unique maritime climate with longer sun hours than any other area in Canada. This makes the wine and grape industry a popular local tourist attraction which generates revenue for the local economy. “The real key here is that small wineries actually create a lot of jobs,” says Tom O’Brien who is with Coopers Hawk Vineyards in Harrow.

Unfortunately, due to overly strict and unfair regulations imposed on the sale and distribution of wine in Ontario, small businesses and rural communities have been experiencing a loss in profit.

Ontario wines are being met with an import tax of 35% plus an additional retail store tax of 6.1% despite being domestically produced and sold. This has resulted in consumers choosing to purchase wine brands that are truly imported having more competitive pricing.

O’Brien said that due to the absurdly high taxes imposed on domestic wines, selling a $15 bottle of wine from his storefront would only allow him to keep about $11, and even less if he is selling through the LCBO network at $6.50 (CBC). The Chamber has requested that wineries be able to sell to stores outside of the LCBO network eliminating the 35% import tax on domestic wines.

Other wine producing nations have a highly competitive advantage for the production and distribution of their wine when compared to Ontario’s wineries. While Ontario wines hold only a 24 percent market share with the LCBO, other nations are dominating their own market. The USA owns over 60% of their domestic market while some nations such as Spain, South Africa, and Argentina each own over 90% of their respective markets – well above what Ontario owns.

Steve Mitchel, President of the family-run Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery in Amherstburg, says that other countries aren’t placing similar markups on their own wine which gives them a competitive advantage, something that the Ontario wine industry is lacking (Windsor Star). He continues to say that if the LCBO were to drop their 35% import tax, the average cost of a bottle of wine would also drop from $15 to $11 allowing for greater competition.

To ensure that the Ontario wine and grape industry remains competitive in Ontario, the WERCC has urged the Government of Ontario to eliminate the 35% import tax levied on domestically produced and sold wines, eliminate the additional 6.1% retail tax that exists on top of other collectable sales tax, allow for direct delivery to new retail opportunities, prevent a grocery led oligopoly from arising, and enable the shipping of Ontario produced wines across provinces.

Implementing these regulations will allow Ontario grape growers and wineries the ability to continue growing their businesses, make significant contributions to provincial and regional economies, and create local jobs.

On Saturday, May 4th, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce held its 107th Annual General Meeting and Convention in Muskoka Lakes where various policy resolutions from across the province were considered. The Windsor Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce’s policy resolution on Ontario’s wine industry received an overwhelmingly positive amount of support being unanimously approved by the OCC delegates.

The adoption of this resolution will allow for the wine and grape industry to grow by reducing the tax burden, thus allowing for the creation of more jobs leading to economic diversification in the region.


Rakesh Naidu is the President and CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce


Original article: http://www.ourhometown.ca/news/NL1963.php

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