Employment Ontario Open for Business

March 20, 2020 | Daily Update, Local Matters

The Employment Ontario Providers in Niagara are continuing to provide services to employers, their employees and job seekers throughout these unprecedented times. All EO agencies in Niagara are open for virtual business. Staff are busy working to assist those in Niagara via phone, email, web conferencing, email and social media. We would like to encourage employers to reach out to their local agencies for any support they may need in this difficult time. Services/supports that we are continuing to provide include: 

  • Assisting employers struggling with staff shortages – as workforce is depleted due to child care/school closures and sick leave, increasing staffing rates to meet increased demands 
  • Providing guidance to those workers seeking to file on-line EI claims. Some agencies may be able to provide this assistance in multiple languages if needed. 
  • Assistance with providing consultation to employee groups being temporarily laid off  seeking basic need supports, mental health services/referrals and the like. All EO agencies are well versed in community supports that employees may need to access during the lay off period.  

Please reach out to any of the EO Providers listed below for assistance. These are all provincially funded services that are available to support our local communities through the Employment Ontario network

CERF Niagara (Francophone Provider for Niagara Region) – Suzanne Coutu; info@cerfniagara.com  905-714-1480 

Employment Help Centre Niagara Falls –  Janet Adams, Job Developer; 905-358-0021 ext 31 

Employment Help Centre West Niagara (Grimsby, Beamsville, Smithville) - Faith Lowe, Manager of Employment; flowe@employmenthelp.org  905-309-9675 

Employment Solutions Welland – Kelly Jones Program Manager; KJones@employment-solutions.org   905-788-3751 

John Howard Society Niagara Job Gym Welland & Fort Erie – Deanna Villella Manager; DVillella@jhsniagara.ca  905-732-7655 

Niagara College Community Employment Services St. Catharines – Karen Martin Job Developer; Kmartin@niagaracollege.ca  905-401-9966 

Port Cares Employment Services Port Colborne  – Andrea Boitor Job Developer; andrea.boitor@portcares.ca  905-834-3629 ext 278 

YMCA of Niagara Employment and Immigrant Services St. Catharines, Niagara Falls & Thorold – Kelli Wales Program Coordinator; kelli.wales@niagara.ymca.ca  289-696-6872 

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13th Street Winery Offering Pickup & Delivery Options

March 20, 2020 | Local Matters, Members in the News

BAKERY TREATS, WINE AND MEALS TO GO

We have made the decision to offer pick-up at the winery for Bakery Treats, Wine and Meals to Go 

We have 3 options:

1.    Order online and pick up at Bakery Farmhouse.
       Visit our website to order online then give us a call when you arrive. 

2.    Call us at 905-984-8444 to place your order and arrange your pick up time.

3.    Place your order at the door and it will be brought to you

Our menu of available items may change daily. Follow up on social media for updates on what products are available.

You can pick up your order at the Bakery Farmhouse porch or we will deliver to your car. The Bakery Farmhouse is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.

If you want to add wine to your order give is a call! 905-984-8444

ORDER BAKERY ITEMS ONLINE FOR PICKUP

 

 

FREE SHIPPING ON WINE

We are offering free shipping on wine orders for delivery within Ontario. Visit us online and use promo code FREE.

ORDER WINE ONLINE FOR DELIVERY

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or concerns. Stay safe. We appreciate your support during this difficult time and look forward to sharing a glass of wine with you in the future.

The 13th Street Team

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St. Catharines Museum goes virtual for March break

March 20, 2020 | Local Matters

St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is usually a hotbed of activity during March break as families visit to partake in the robust programming offered on site.

This year, with the city’s decision to close all of its facilities ahead of the province’s declaration of a state of emergency over coronavirus concerns, the doors to the museum are closed.

The programming however, lives on. Staff have opted to go virtual with the museum’s March break activities, offering live events on Facebook and Instagram, as well as interactive campaigns on Twitter.

Visitor services co-ordinator Adrian Petry said they were able to make the switch to online with relative ease. Some of the planned programs didn’t translate well to a virtual experience, so they had to get creative.

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Niagara Casinos Donates Surplus Food to Local Charities

March 20, 2020 | Local Matters

Niagara Casinos as an organization has always taken great pride in our ongoing partnership with the local community, and this partnership is even more important as we face these unprecedented times together.

Niagara Casinos has donated surplus food items including dairy, fruit, vegetables and other perishable items. These food items were given to over 10 different local charities and organizations in order to support those in need in our community. These included Project Share, Women’s Place, FACS Niagara Region, Community Care, Casa El Norte, Soup Kitchen, RAFT, Fonthill Seniors Residence, Out of the Cold and more.

“We are so proud to be part of this incredible community” says Richard Taylor, president, Niagara Casinos. “It is inspiring to see this community pulling together to support each other. We appreciate the work from our associates putting the food donation together and truly appreciate the effort from all the individuals, charities and businesses as we work together to keep Niagara strong.”

More information on local charities:

Project Share Niagara: https://www.projectshare.ca/
RAFT: http://www.theraft.ca/site/about
Soup Kitchen: https://nfcommunityoutreach.org/
Nightlight Youth Services: https://www.boysandgirlsclubniagara.org/programs/youth-housing/
Women’s Place: https://womensplacesn.org/
Community Care: https://www.communitycarestca.ca/

About Fallsview Casino Resort

Overlooking the world-famous Horseshoe Falls, Fallsview Casino Resort is an award-winning resort that has been offering premier entertainment and superior guest service since 2004. Featuring a CAA Four-Diamond Hotel with 374 luxury rooms and suites, Fallsview Casino Resort houses a large and impressive gaming floor with more than 3,000 slot machines and 130 gaming tables. Winner of the Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence and CAA’s Four-Diamond Award for its two signature restaurants, Ponte Vecchio and 21 Club Steak & Seafood, this vibrant resort property also features a full-service spa and fitness centre, a state-of-the-art 1,500-seat theatre, 5,000 seat all ages Entertainment Centre, dozens of dining and shopping options and more than 30,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara have been recognized as a “Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer” for ten consecutive years. For more information, visit fallsviewcasinoresort.com, join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @fallsviewcasino or call 1-888-325-5788.

About Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment

Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) is a master developer and operator of premier global integrated entertainment resorts, including Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, Inspire in Incheon, South Korea and Niagara, Canada. MGE is owner, developer, and/or manager of integrated entertainment resorts throughout the United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Northern Asia, and Niagara Falls, Canada. MGE is owner and operator of Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the WNBA and New England Black Wolves, a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. For more information on MGE and our properties, visit www.mohegangaming.com.

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RBC Resources for Members

March 20, 2020 | Local Matters

RBC has programs in place to assist across all of their platforms.

RBC client support announcement: http://www.rbc.com/newsroom/news/2020/20200317-client-support.html

RBC client resources including info on financial relief programs and branch closures:

RBC Business: www.rbcroyalbank.com/business and click the Covid-19 Update link at top of page

RBC Personal: www.rbcroyalbank.com and click the Covid-19 Update link at top of page

Our business, personal and specialized banking teams are business as usual, reaching out proactively to clients where possible and have new resources for impacted clients emerging daily.

All financial institutions are supporting Canadians with similar financial relief programs – members are urged to use the online and phone resources of their institution for specific guidance.

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St. Catharines Economic Development Shares COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

March 19, 2020 | Daily Update, Local Matters

As we go through these unprecedented and rapidly changing times that are going to have a profound effect on all of us, St. Catharines Economic Development wanst to assure you that they are committed to navigating the path forward as a supportive community.

To support the business community they are currently implementing the following initiatives:

  • Monitoring the situation and keeping you informed of any and all changes to the industry;
  • Observing and adjusting the marketing message in response to the changing situation;
  • Sustaining an active presence on social and digital platforms to share information with consumers about your state of business;
  • Collaborating with industry partners to design a strategy and ensure alignment of efforts; and
  • Continuing to provide exceptional service to ensure ongoing customer experience

Here are some helpful resources:

How businesses can cope with COVID-19

With public health officials warning people to avoid large crowds to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 businesses can expect to face some challenges as we work our way through this evolving situation.

Here is some advice from the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre that businesses can use to help adapt to this challenging situation.

  • Look after your employees
    They are your biggest asset so it makes sense to support them in any way that you can and help them to navigate applications for employment insurance claims if required.
  • Review your health and safety protocols
    Enhance already careful sanitizing and cleaning measures and increase frequency. Instruct staff to stay home if they have even minor symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat, or generally feeling unwell).
  • Communicate with your customers
    Step up your communications with your customers. Keep them informed of any operational changes that you make, remind them of your hours of operation, and offer to help them. Be a trusted and helpful resource for your customers.
  • Check your financials
    Have conversations with landlords, creditors, suppliers and others about what options are available.
  • Adapt
    What adjustments can you make to adapt your services to the needs of your customers? Can you offer online shopping? Is free delivery or in-store / curbside pickup an option? Can you meet online instead of in person? Small changes can make a big difference and help keep your business going.Gift cards are a great way for you to keep generating revenue now when volume is down and gives the customer something to use when regular business practises resume.
  • Watch your marketing
    While it’s important to adapt marketing campaigns to this ever-evolving situation, avoid unreasonable and unsustainable offers to attract immediate sales and customers for a short-term gain. It is still important to focus on the future and stay the course.Participate in shop local and shop small campaigns such as #ShopSTC. Make an effort to support other small businesses. Can you make purchases from your neighbouring businesses? Can you offer sensible joint promotions?
  • Revisit your business plan
    Use downtime to make your business better. Take a look at the things you’ve been putting off, such as improving your CRM system, updating your website and developing a far-reaching online ad campaign. Planning now means you’ll be ready to go when things stabilize.

Check back for more updates: https://www.investinstc.ca/site/blog/2020/03/16/covid-19-resources-for-businesses

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Chomp Helps Support Small Business During COVID-19 Outbreak

March 19, 2020 | Local Matters

Many in the small shop community are taking massive blows right now as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Chomp Teething & Craft Supply is committed to doing as much as they can to help as many community members as possible, and they want to share your business! Please complete their Small Shop Feature Info form so that they can include as many small shops as possible in their blog posts, social campaigns and email blasts. We’re in this together – stay strong, friends!

Find out more here: https://www.chompsupply.com/blogs/getting-crafty-with-chomp-chew-bead-designs/support-small-business-during-covid-19-outbreakchom

 

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Outlet Collection at Niagara Updates Operating Hours

March 19, 2020 | Local Matters

The safety and health of our visitors, customers and tenants are of the utmost importance for Ivanhoé Cambridge. Regarding the COVID-19 situation, be assured that they have been closely following the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is working with the provincial governments and international partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

As such, they are paying particular attention to tenants, customers and visitors’ awareness of hand-washing hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Over the last few weeks, they included additional measures, particularly regular filling of soap dispensers and antiseptic hand-gel dispensers at designated locations. They have increased the frequency of cleaning practices in the buildings’ common areas and those cleaning products comply with recommendations for COVID-19 sanitization in the workplace.

Effective Monday, March 16, they are also providing their tenants the possibility of reducing their operating hours to:

  • Monday to Saturday: 11:00am – 7:00pm

  • Sunday: 11:00am – 5:00pm

Some store hours may vary.  For details regarding specific store hours and closures please contact the retailer directly. These proposed reduced hours will remain in place for two weeks, at which point they will be re-evaluated.  Access hours to the property will remain unchanged as Ivanohoé Cambridge understands there are some services, including essential services, and tenants that may or must operate as per their usual hours of business, and they will continue to support them in their approach.

Though access to the property remains unchanged, they have made the decision to suspend all shopping events and community programs scheduled for March and April.

They are relying on the collective cooperation of people who may be showing symptoms associated with COVID-19 not to frequent public places and, as recommended by governmental authorities, remain at home.

They thank you for your understanding and collaboration.

Find out more here: https://www.outletcollectionatniagara.com/en/covid-19-information/

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United Way Niagara Creates COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

March 19, 2020 | Local Matters

In the coming weeks, United Way Niagara expects a surge in need for basic necessities. In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, United Way Niagara has created the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

This fund will support the work of their frontline partner agencies that are at the forefront of this issue and are collectively striving to ensure our most vulnerable citizens are safe and healthy.

This is a difficult time for everyone, and we know those who are already marginalized in our community will be disproportionately impacted. If you are able to support our emergency efforts, we invite you to do so by donating online HERE.

The funds raised will stay here in Niagara and will provide direct financial support to the agencies that require it most during this time. We anticipate the Emergency Response Fund will help with essential services such as emergency shelter and food and other needs as they emerge.

United Way is working with community leaders and agencies to ensure that we are providing support where it is critically needed. IF YOU NEED SUPPORT – Please call 2-1-1 to find the services you need.

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