Written by BACC Admin | 07 November 2011

Once again The Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce will be picking a winning business.  The business with the "best:" decorations will be chosen during the week of November 21st and the winner will be announced at the Chirstmas on the LaHave celebrations on Sunday November 27th.  CKBW and HANK FM will be promoting the winner on the local radio stations following the announcement...promotion and recognition of your business. The contest is open to any business along the LaHave River.  Please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like your business to be considered.  All businesses listed by November 21st will be considered.

Written by BACC Admin | 23 September 2011

       

 

On Wednesday September 14th the members of BACC were given the opportunity to hear Kirk Symonds, Educator with district 6 Waste Management give tips and pointers on how to more effectively manage waste collection at businesses.  There has been alot of discussion recently about the removal of outside garbage cans from some businesses and Kirk explained that the business owners are responsible for the contents of all the garbage cans on their sites. Businesses were paying employees to sort the garbage that was deposited in the outside cans. This was additional cost and a lot of the garbage was from car owners who cleaned out their cars at gas stations garbage cans rather than at home. The landlord of a rental property is responsible for the garbage placed curbside from all the tenants, so there is a responsibility to provide training to all the tenants. The laws are the same throughout Nova Scotia but the South Shore is actually leaders in the enforcement of the existing laws, but all parts of the province will be held to the same standards and that is being implemented in other places.

Thanks to all BACC members and guests who attended this very informative session. A special thanks to RRFB Nova Scotia who were the sponsors for this event.

                 

Written by BACC Admin | 01 September 2011

The Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host an information breakfast with Kirk Symonds, Educator for District 6 with Waste Management.  The session will include a brief presentation by Kirk on some fo the challenges and problems facing businesses with regard to waste management.  He will then answer questions from the audience.

Time:  Wednesday, September 14th.  Registration and complimentary continental breakfast at 7:30 am. With the presentation and Q&A  session taking place between 8:00 and 9:00 am.

Where:  Masonic Hall on North Street, Bridgewater

Who Should Attend:  Business owners/managers who have had a visit from the garbage policy, business representatives who have questions about sorting of garbage. 

This has been arranged due to requests from members of BACC who have recently been fined, or have questions about just what is required.

RSVP  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

The second upcoming event that will be of interest to all business owners/managers within the limits of the Town of Bridgewater is an information session on the possibility of forming a Business Improvement District in Bridgewater.  Represenatives from Wolfville who has had a BID for a number of years will be on hand to answer questions.  This session will take place on Wednesday, September 20th at 6:30 pm at the Bridgewater Fire Hall. The discussion will include the range of activities that a BID may undertake: Marketing, business recruitment, streetscape Improvement, Seasonal Decorations, Special Events and also the funding options and potential costs to businesses.

Please RSVP to Amy Wamboldt at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 541-4388.  

Written by BACC Admin | 23 June 2011

The 2011 AGM for the Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce was held at the Masonic Hall on Tuesday June 21st.  The doors opened for registration and breakfast at 7:30 am and the AGM got underway at 7:50 am.

 

   

There were three business displays for attendees to see and learn more about some of our local businesses, The Bridgewater Comfort Inn, Lighthouse Motel and Mab's Jewels and Jems. Jenny Hardy, BACC's representative with Preston and Associates who are the providers of our Chamber Group Insurance Plan was also on hand with information for anyone interested in exploring the advantages of the plan.

 

 

 

                   

The Treasurer's report was good news with the information that for the first time in several years BACC made a small profit.  This was accomplished through the reduction of the weekly work hours of the Executive Director and close monitoring of other expenses.  Grant Thornton were appointed as the auditors.

The manager of the local Visitor Information Centre, Dan Hennessey gave an update on the Centre and gave information on how business owners and managers can benefit from the centre. 

 

 

There are two new board members joining the board to fill vacant positions.  These are Laura Gibson, manager of the local BMO branch and Owen Thomas, and Associate with Ferrier, Kimble and Thomas a law firm operating in Bridgewater. The new executive will be announced following the first regular board meeting which is slated for early July.

The report on the Board activities, the Executive Directo's report and the President's report showed just how busy the past year has been for the chamber.  There have been several events hosted by BACC,

•  A Home Based Business Association networking event,
• An after hours networking event
• Breakfast with the Mayors
• Christmas Lighting Contest as part of the Chirstmas on the Lahave Festival
• Curling Fun Spiel
• Meetings with the Provincial Caucus and the Finance Minister
• Breakfast with Jamie Ballie, Provincial leader of the Conservative party
• President meeting with Gerald Keddy, MP
• Federal Candidates Forum
• Participation in several committees including PRAC and BDA Marketing
• Membership Benefit Information Evening at NSCC
• A big thank you goes out to the organizers, the hosts and the attendees at all of these events.

 

 

Judy Koster and Craig Collins were presented with pewter pins in recognition of their contribution to the BACC and in appreciate of their roles as past presidents of BACC.

Both the Executive Director and the President stressed the importance of member involvement and feedback to the organization.

While this year has been a busy one, the next few months will also be busy. Watch your events calendar on our website to get all the details of upcoming member events.  www.bridgewaterchamber.com

The meeting was adjourned by 9:00 am.