The EHCC is hosting its 5th Annual Memorial Trivia Night Food Bank fundraiser VIRTUALLY Tuesday, February 8th, 2022, at 6:30 pm.

We’re calling on local business for donations for the silent auction that will run from January 31 to February 14.  If interested in donating, you can access the donation letter here and send an email to info@ehcc.ca with the following information:

• Business/organization name
• What the item is and a detailed discription
• Picture of the item
• Approximate value
• Address of the location for pick up of item

The Federal government just announced an expansion to two of their support programs for businesses and individuals. The Chamber has been advocating for support for businesses through this most recent round of restrictions, and we are extremely pleased that these new adjustments to their programs will help our hard-hit sectors. Read more…

Further Provincial Restrictions Announced

Today, Premiere Tim Houston and Dr. Strang announced further provincial restrictions due to the Omnicrom variantand are effective 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22 until at least January 12, 2022

The list of restrictions includes, but is not limited to:

Gathering limits

• physical distance and mask requirements remain in place
• indoor and outdoor informal gatherings are limited to 10 people from the same household or consistent social group
• there are to be no in-person events such as festivals, special events (including receptions), sports games or tournaments, or arts and culture performances
• a limit of 10 participants indoors and 25 outdoors applies to sports practices and training; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors; spectators are not allowed
• a limit of 10 participants indoors and 25 outdoors applies to professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and virtual performances
• gathering limits of 25 per cent of capacity to a maximum of 50 people indoors and outdoors apply to social gatherings, such as faith services, wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies

Businesses

• places like retail businesses, malls, museums, libraries and recreation and leisure businesses and organizations can operate at 50 per cent capacity with physical distance; some examples under recreation and leisure include dance and music lessons, climbing facilities, escape rooms, indoor play places, arcades, golf, shooting ranges and dog training
• fitness and recreation facilities can operate at 50 per cent capacity with physical distance; personal training is allowed with as much physical distance as possible
• personal services like hair salons can operate at the maximum capacity possible with physical distancing but cannot offer services that require removing masks
• food establishments and liquor-licensed establishments can operate at 50 per cent capacity, they must have physical distance between tables; barriers may only be used to achieve 50 per cent capacity but not exceed it; there is a limit of 10 people per table; they must stop dine-in service at 11 p.m. and close by midnight; takeout, drive-thru and delivery can operate later; only one performer is allowed

There is no change in the requirement for proof of full vaccination for discretionary activities. It is still required for attendees and volunteers, even in places where gathering limits and physical distance will apply.

For the full list of restrictions and for more details please visit: Further Provincewide Restrictions to Slow Omicron Variant – Government of Nova Scotia, Canada

SECTOR IMPACT SUPPORT PROGRAM 

The Province announced December 17, additional support for NS businesses impacted by the new provincewide public health restrictions. The Chamber along with other stakeholders began meeting with Government early last week, and are pleased to see the rapid response from government.

The Sector Impact Support Program will provide a one-time grant of up to $7,500 to help small business owners in industries such as restaurants offering in-person dining service; bars and other licensed drinking establishments; fitness, recreational and leisure facilities including gyms, yoga studios, indoor play areas, arcades, climbing facilities, dance programs and music lessons; boat and walking tours; private museums; rinks and arenas that are not municipally owned; and live performing arts facilities.

The Sector Impact Support Program will be funded through the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Response Council. It is expected to cost about $10 million depending on participation. The Premier stated  that if this is not enough, there will be more.

 Applications will open early January. Eligible businesses can receive the following amounts based on November 2021 gross payroll costs:

Payroll costs between $1,000 and $15,000 – grant of $2,500
Payroll costs between $15,001 and $25,000 – grant of $5,000
Payroll costs between $25,001 or more – grant of $7,500

To learn more about the Sector Impact Support Program, click here.

RFP for Creative, Rebranding Services, and Website Development for the East Hants & Districts Chamber of Commerce. For more information on the timeline and requirements, please click HERE. Deadline January 14th, 2022.

For information on the Workplace Education Programs offered in January, please click HERE!

For the latest restrictions announced by Nova Scotia and Public Health, please click HERE.

December Newsletter 2021 

Dear EHCC Members,

4TH ANNUAL WORKPLACE EDUCATION CELEBRATION

Have you taken a Workplace Education Program through the East Hants & Districts Chamber of Commerce in-person or online? If so, you’re invited to join in the celebration of the hard work and commitment of you and many others.

Wednesday, November 17th at 6:30pm at the East Hants Sportsplex.
Please RSVP at info@ehcc.ca.

There will be food, networking, presentations, guest speakers and CAKE!

Have you completed a Program Pathway? 
Through the East Hants Workplace Education Program, we recognize those who have completed ‘streams’ or ‘pathways’ of programs, such as the Financial Pathway or the Technology Pathway, where participants have completed the required programs in a certain area of skills training.

We would like to present those who have completed a pathway with a certificate of recognition. To find out if you qualify for a pathway certificate please visit: Program Pathways. If you have, please email info@ehcc.ca with the name of the completed pathway and your name.

We hope you can join us!

Please RSVP to info@ehcc.ca.