August 2012

Newsletter
August 2012 Vol 20 Issue
Baker Street Then and Now
This summer Touchstones Nelson has been featuring an exhibit entitled Baker Street Then and
Now ...and the Future of Heritage.
The Chamber was the primary sponsor of the exhibit
that has been very well received by local residents
and visitors alike.
Nelson is unusual – since its inception, it has managed to retain a main street that has consistently
been a vital and dynamic part of the community.
Since being “re-discovered” in the early 90’s, the
historic buildings and pedestrian-friendly downtown
continue to characterize the “heritage” that the city
has become so well known for.
This exhibit features a montage of past and present
photos of many of the historic buildings on Baker
Street from the Touchstones Nelson Archives, as
well as considering other examples of what heritage
may look like as we move further into the 21st century.
Chamber President Chuck Bennett notes that Baker
Street is an important part of the social and business fabric of our community. The Chamber and the
Economic Development Partnership are extremely
concerned about Business Retention and Expansion,
it remains a pillar in our strategic planning.
We realize it is not easy being in business these
days, and we have a concern over the long term sustainability of some businesses”
Bennett adds, “It is one of the reasons why we are
focusing on initiatives like Shop Nelson and area
marketing campaigns to educate the community on
the importance of supporting small business within
our region”
Executive Director Tom Thomson says “the business community often gets taken for granted.
People think that no matter what, they will be
with us forever. The fact is the day to day of
costs of being in business continues to increase
year after year, from taxation, fees, government
regulations, the price of product, the list is never
ending”
Thomson notes that the Chamber Directors
have had plenty of discussions over the years as
to the changing face of retail. The technological
advances, people shopping on line, and the
changing expectations of the consumer.
“Customer expectations are running high when
it comes to product, service, value, and shopping experience. We know it’s challenging being
in business in these changing times, that’s why
we have partnered with the Nelson Star on a
campaign focused on the Baker Street Then and
Now theme.”
Bennett says the sponsorship of the Touchstones Baker Street exhibit was going to be
turned into a kickoff to a Shop Nelson and area
10
campaign. We have a committee working on the
next phase of the campaign that will be rolled out
in the fall. It is also based on the importance of
supporting our bricks and mortar stores to ensure
the long term sustainability of our community.
We will keep you posted on upcoming guest speakers , business training workshops or Worldhost
customer service training opportunities that will
be offered up to help your business.
________________________________________
CP Station Regional Visitor
Gateway cornerstone of future
development in Railtown
There are still a few years of work that needs to
be completed, and many more steps need to be
taken before this project has been completed.
That being said, the Chamber Board of Directors
are a committed group of Nelson and Area business people that want to see this project come to
fruition.
It is clear that the development of the Regional
Visitor Gateway-Business Opportunity Centre
provides short term economic benefits through
job creation as well as the injection of dollars into
the local building supplies and related construction businesses.
The west end of Baker Street has certainly seen
some nice improvements dating back to last year.
The renovation to accommodate the move of Big
Cranium, the restoration work that has been done
to the heritage Nelson Daily News building, plus
the significant renovations that were completed at
the Best Western Plus on Baker Street..
Just a bit farther down, work continues on the upgrades at the Baker Street and Highway interchange, the bridge, and sidewalk improvements to
Cottonwood Falls, the Japanese Gardens and the
Saturday markets.
And of course the Chamber continues work on the
CP Station restoration.
A five person crew is back at work on the rehabilitation and restoration of the CP Rail Station. The
project will see the construction of a Regional Visitor Gateway and Business Opportunity Centre for
the West Kootenay region. The project was clearly
identified as a cornerstone of the Downtown Waterfront Master plan, and the creation of an area
identified as “Railtown” by the stakeholders and
consultants that were involved in the community
consultation and visioning exercises.
Long term, the Regional Visitor Gateway will have
a major impact on attracting tourism which in
turn will help create new businesses, new shortterm and long-term jobs and maintain current
jobs in this industry.
Working with our regional economic development partners and through our Invest Kootenay
partnership we will also be able to showcase Nelson and the West Kootenay region as an ideal
region to relocate, raise a family, invest and develop business opportunities.
The Chamber will be hosting a business after
business at the CP Station in September. We’ll
find out about the Regional Visitor Gateway, the
Downtown Waterfront master plan and of
course share some cool beverages and appies.
Nelson to adopt a new Sister
Nelson and Sand Point Idaho, two key communities on the Selkirk Loop will soon formalize a Sister City relationship. Sand Point Idaho is an arts
community of approximately 10,000 people nestled on a lake below a ski hill. Sound familiar?
That’s why the local Chambers and community
leaders got together in the fall of 2011 for a preliminary discussion.
Chamber Executive Director Tom Thomson says “a
reciprocal ski pass arrangement with Schweitzer
Mountain and Whitewater Resorts started the
wheels in motion.”
At a recent Nelson Council meeting the City approved the proposal submitted by the Chamber to
enter into an agreement at the end of March
2013.
Aerial photo Sand Point Idaho
The Board of Directors of the Nelson and District
Chamber of Commerce believe there are ecoAnne Pigeon, Whitewater’s General Manager of
nomic benefits that can be generated by formally
Indoor Operations and Marketing notes, “The simiestablishing a Sister City relationship with Sandlar core values of each resort along with the repoint Idaho.
semblance between Nelson and Sandpoint made it
Thomson adds “throughout the life of the Sister an easy decision to become partners”.
City relationship, the goals may change or evolve.
We believe a good starting point would be
through cultural and educational exchanges, tourism, and economic development exchange opportunities.”
The initiative has the local support of the Nelson
and District Chamber of Commerce, The Nelson
and Area Economic Development Partnership, the
Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism Association.
Sand Point Chamber CEO Kate McAlister says The City of Sand Point officially passed a resolution
that this will be the first Sister City relation- earlier this summer to finalize a formal agreement
ship for Sand Point.
with Nelson.
She adds” there will be great opportunities to
meet and develop marketing campaigns and
encourage trade.” Sand Point is even discussing a sister city logo and promotion contests.
The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce will
work in partnership with the Sandpoint Chamber
and other community organizations to see the Sister City initiative with Sandpoint Idaho is formally
established..
Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation Tournament Sunday August 19th
You can still register for the KLHF golf tournament for Sunday. Great weather, great cause and lot’s of
fun. Grab some work friends or golf partners and register today at Granite Pointe 352 5913
Sunday, August 19 at Granite Pointe Golf Club
4 person scramble
Shotgun start at 11:00 am
Fun day of golf, lunch on the course, fabulous dinner in the banquet room AND incredible prizes for
only $100 per person.
Major Prizes:
Brand new iPad from Digerati (these are the ones that aren’t even out yet!)
$500 gift card from Save On Foods
42 inch TV from Sears
1 year family pass from Nelson & District Community Complex
Hole in One Prizes:
$5,000 from OK Tire
Trip to Cancun from Glacier Travel
$10,000 from Hall Printing
NEW CAR from Nelson Ford!
Closest to the pin contest, closest to the line, ring of cash, putting contest, and so much more!
Is your firm paying too much for
group insurance?
Discover The Chamber of
Commerce Group Plan
—————————————————
Looking for a cost effective way to purchase health
and dental benefits for you or your employees?
What makes the Chamber Insurance Plan different? Over 20,000 firms that we cover today each
have custom coverage based on the types and
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you control the coverage you purchase and premiums are a deductible business expense.
Whether you’re a one-person firm or have 35 employees, choosing custom coverage is easy and
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For over 30 years, the Chambers Plan has been
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kinds of businesses too often overlooked by traditional insurers.
Nelson and District Chamber of
Commerce 2011-2012
Board of Directors
_______________________________________
Executive
President Chuck Bennett Nelson Star
Vice President Justin Pelant Ted Allen’s
Jewellery
Secretary Treasurer Tom Mamic Pacific Insight
Past President Cal Renwick Nelson Toyota
Directors
Barry Auliffe Selkirk College
Marni Beninger Mountain Water Spa
Harry Davidson Glass House Optical
Kevin Einarson 1035 The Bridge/Mountain FM
Tanya Finley Finley’s Irish Bar and Grill/Sage
Tapas
Randy Horswill Home Building Centre
Clive Jackson Jackson’s Hole and Grill
John Knox Fair Realty
Ron World Save on Foods
Let’s develop a quote for your firm, call me today.
When we meet, you’ll tell me about the kinds of
coverage that interest you and what you want a
benefit plan to accomplish for your company.
Then I’ll build a custom recommendation based on
your objectives.
Staff
Tom Thomson Executive Director
Marg Craig Visitor Centre Manager
Val Yowek Administrative Assistant
Let’s put the Chambers Plan to work for you!
Glenn Sutherland ,B.A.,CSA
Phone: 1-877-552-3518
sutherg@netidea.com