NEW: Registration is now open! Participate in Hamilton Day 2022
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On Saturday, November 5th, Hamilton Day returns to support local and small businesses!
Hamilton Day is a one-day event for all Hamiltonians to reignite community pride and inject much-needed dollars and support to businesses across the city. Hamilton Day is not a one-location event, but rather an inclusive citywide celebration to support local.
From small retail shops, to cafes, restaurants, bars, theatres, independent artists and musicians, florists, gyms & fitness studios, personal services, board game venues – all are welcome.
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Register Your Business Now!
Let patrons know you’re participating in Hamilton Day! Register to participate HERE to have your business added to the interactive map.
Be sure to follow Hamilton Day on social media (Instagram: @hamiltondayofficial, Facebook: @hamiltondayofficial, Twitter: @hamiltonday_yes) and tag them in your posts/stories.
Happening in the International Village BIA on Hamilton Day
- The Dixie Dawgs will be joining us again to play music throughout the area;
- A visitor from Gotham City will be making a special appearance in #TheVillage;
- A visitor from the North Pole and his elf will be making a special appearance ahead of the holiday season;
- Select businesses will be handing Hamilton Day branded tote bags.
Learn more at hamiltonday.ca.
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NEW: A World of Welcome International Village BIA Mural Project Launch
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The International Village BIA celebrated the unveiling of the 'A World of Welcome' mural project commissioned by the BIA that pays tribute to the diverse experiences of women of colour who call Hamilton home.
A large proportion of the International Village BIA's customers identify as women and this community is home to a growing population of newcomers. By recognizing and celebrating the unique cultural identities of women who frequent the BIA, this project supports our ongoing efforts to cultivate an inviting public space that encourages diverse women to enjoy all the BIA has to offer.
Project Artists:
Amani Muhammad Ruiz with Robyn Lightwalker, Parisa Partovi, Ismaeil Rezaei, Leila Partovi and Tania Sedighi as Olka Art Collective, stylo starr and Kate Szabo.
Mural Locations:
245 King St. E., 197 King William St. (rear), 215 King St. E. (rear), 190 King William St.
To learn more about each mural, click here.
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Funded through the City of Hamilton and Canada Healthy Communities Initiative grants that are meant to transform public spaces in response to COVID-19.
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Notice of 2022 Annual General Meeting
When: Tuesday, November 1st at 10:00am
Where: Zoom
Who: Open to International Village BIA Property & Business Owners
The 2023 draft proposed budget is now available. If you would like to review a copy of the budget please email info@hamiltoninternationalvillage.ca to request a copy.
All constructive feedback and input on the budget is to be sent back in writing via email no later than Friday, October 28th at 5pm. The BIA board of management will then take your comments and feedback into consideration for the budget to be presented at the annual general meeting.
The agenda for the meeting is posted on the BIA website. ( www.hamiltoninternationalvillage.ca under news & events).
*In order to attend the Zoom meeting, you will need to RSVP no later than Friday, October 28th at 5pm, identify what property you are associated with and we will send you a Zoom invite link the day before the AGM.
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NEW: Upcoming Events Happening in the City of Hamilton
Over the next two weeks, multiple large-scale events and concerts will be happening in the City of Hamilton. These events are a great opportunity to provide a special discount, sale, or mini-event in your business to bring more people into the area.
- OFSSA Girls Field Hockey Championship – November 3-5, 2022 – 450 attendees
- Hamilton Day – Saturday November 5, 2022
- Blackpink – November 6 and 7, 2022 – Over 12K each concert at FirstOntario Centre
- Road 2 Hope Run – November 5 and 6, 2022 (Race Day Sunday, November 6, Red Hill Expressway)
- Ontario Museum Association – November 6-8, 2022
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NEW: Hamilton Winterfest Community Event Application
Winterfest will be moving ahead with the festival running from February 2nd-20th, 2023. Want to participate in Winterfest this year, please complete the Community Event Application to be considered for inclusion in the Hamilton Winterfest roster. The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 25th, 2023 at 5:00PM.
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NEW: Immigrant Stories for NEW local exhibit!
Stories of Migration and Belonging is virtual exhibit created in partnership with the Hamilton Civic Museums that puts immigration at the forefront. It was launched in 2021 with great success.
This year, the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council is looking to do a PART TWO of this exhibit with new stories to feature!
The exhibit features short video segments of Hamilton immigrants telling their own stories. Showcasing a diversity of experiences including time of arrival, region and country of origin, immigration class, and more.
If you are a longstanding or recent immigrant to Hamilton or know someone who would like to be featured, please learn more and submit the form HERE. Deadline to submit: Friday, November 4, 2022 |
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NEW: Digital Transformation Grant - Application Portal Closes October 31st
Digital Main Street is a program focused on assisting small businesses with their move to online marketing, sales, and back-office operations.
The program provides a one-time $2,500 grant to brick-and-mortar small businesses to support their digital transformation through the purchase and adoption of digital tools and technologies. The application portal closes on October 31st.
To qualify, each business must undertake a digital assessment, pass the pre-qualification quiz, complete online training, and submit a Digital Transformation Plan.
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NEW: Canada Digital Adoption Program - Apply Now
As part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Government of Canada has partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to deliver the Grow Your Business Online grant supported by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.
Small business owners can receive a micro-grant worth up to $2,400 to help get their business online, give their e-commerce presence a boost, or digitalize business operations. Grant recipients must commit to maintaining their digital adoption strategy for at least six months.
To learn more about eligibility requirements or to apply now, click here. |
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NEW: Four Seasons of Reconciliation Training, Free for Entrepreneurs
BDC has partnered with the First Nations University of Canada and Reconciliation Education to offer the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation training for free to entrepreneurs across Canada.
The training is a 3-hour online course with short modules that can be completed at the learner’s pace and provides a mix of learning tools such as slideshows, videos, films and quizzes.
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NEW: Goodwill Amity’s Power Lunch!
Join Goodwill Amity for a power-packed lunch to celebrate the 16th Annual Power of Work Awards on November 9th at Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.
Enjoy a three course meal, be inspired by the stories of our award winners and hear from Peter Katz, JUNO Award nominated musician, TedX Fellow and one of Canada’s most in demand speakers. He will treat you to a unique experience and leave you with some tips to power up your work and life! AND you’ll be helping to support people facing barriers to employment right here in our community.
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NEW: October 2022 - The Fall Newsletter
This issue of the Invest in Hamilton newsletter offers profiles of some of the new businesses that are calling Hamilton home, updates on new programs and tools to support our small business and scale-up community, opportunities to provide feedback on upcoming strategies, and statistics that demonstrate Hamilton’s diversity and business health.
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NEW: Hamilton First Municipality in Ontario to Offer Innovative Service for Business Financing
The City of Hamilton has launched a unique tool to assist businesses in finding funding faster and more relevant to local business needs.
Fundica, an intelligent funding search engine firm, is now collaborating with the City’s Economic Development Office to offer this new platform that has been equated to speed dating for funding – making the process easy and highly tailored to the individual business. Hamilton is the first city in Ontario to implement Fundica’s intelligent funding search engine.
Fundica is an award-winning, AI-powered funding matching solution provider for entrepreneur-support organizations across North America. Through Fundica, these organizations can empower small to medium-sized businesses to easily identify and apply for the most relevant government and complementary funding available on the organization’s site- with no IT integration required.
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NEW: She Means Business - A Success Pod for Entrepreneurial Women
She Means Business - A Success Pod for Entrepreneurial Women is now accepting applications for the Winter 2023 cohort.
What would it feel like to see real momentum build in your business? You know, the kind of momentum that makes you set aside your doubts and self-imposed limitations. The kind of momentum that produces results and elevates you as an entrepreneur to make even bigger strides toward your vision.
If that sounds like something you’d like to achieve, the Hamilton Business Centre invites you to join She Means Business. This small group for women entrepreneurs is a space where your vision is met with excitement, challenges are faced head-on, action is consistent and, accountability is real.
Applications for the Winter 2023 cohort will be accepted until December 16th, 2022. Apply today as there are a limited number of spots available.
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NEW: Digital Tools, Software & Apps to Efficiently Manage Your Small Biz
Date/Time: November 9th | 7-8:30PM
This workshop is a free online webinar for small businesses in Ontario. From accounting to scheduling, file sharing to project management, there are digital tools to help with every aspect of running a small business. Knowing which ones are right for you can be a challenge though. This beginner-level workshop will help you learn what’s out there to help you manage with efficiency and ease. Register for this Digital Main Street Training Session Here.
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NEW: Humanities Career Apprenticeship Program
This innovative program connects new graduates from the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University with reputable Hamilton-based employers like you. Students will gain an opportunity to complete meaningful projects in a work environment that fosters learning, networking and development, and you will receive financial support to access a highly motivated and skilled talent pool.
In 2022/2023, the third year of the program, the aim is to provide funding for up to 15 positions. The employer recruitment process will begin in December 2022, and apprentices will start in their first career roles in early May 2023.
For full program information, please view the employer information package. |
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NEW: King Street Immediate Safety Enhancements: Bus Only Lane Installation (Queen to Dundurn)
As part of the Council-approved motion to develop safety enhancements along Main Street and King Street, crews have started painting the new bus-only section along the north side of King Street between Queen Street and Dundurn Street.
The new 800-metre-long bus-only lane will be marked with red paint, signage and pavement markings at intersections and transit stops. The bus-only lane allows transit buses to safely pull over to pick up passengers efficiently and will serve as a protecting buffer between pedestrians using the sidewalk and live vehicle traffic.
Vehicles are permitted to enter the bus-only lane when making a right-hand turn onto Strathcona Avenue N, Locke Street N, Pearl Street N and Ray Street N, however, vehicles must not use the bus only lane for general travel, stopping or parking.
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NEW: #HAMILTONVOTES2022 – Results for the 2022 Municipal Election
Hamilton residents have voted Andrea Horwath mayor-elect in the City of Hamilton’s 2022 municipal election. Horwath received 59,216 votes.
The uncertified candidates for all 15 wards are as follows:
- Ward 1 – Maureen Wilson
- Ward 2 – Cameron Kroetsch
- Ward 3 – Nrinder Nann
- Ward 4 – Tammy Hwang
- Ward 5 – Matt Francis
- Ward 6 – Tom Jackson
- Ward 7 – Esther Pauls
- Ward 8 – John-Paul Danko
- Ward 9 – Brad Clark
- Ward 10 – Jeff Beattie
- Ward 11 – Mark Tadeson
- Ward 12 – Craig Cassar
- Ward 13 – Alex Wilson
- Ward 14 – Mike Spadafora
- Ward 15 – Ted McMeekin
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NEW: CEBA Loan Repayment Deadlines Extended
Originally these loans were due this coming Dec. 31/22 in order to get partial forgiveness. The NEW deadline is now December 31, 2023.
You should receive a notification from your bank about this deadline extension. If you don't hear from them, please reach out and confirm with the bank that processed your file.
Below is an excerpt of the information on the Federal site as well as the link to the site.
Program Repayment Deadlines Have Changed
- The existing terms of CEBA loans require that the outstanding balance (other than the amount available to be forgiven) be repaid on or before December 31, 2022 in order to be eligible for partial loan forgiveness. The Government of Canada has announced the December 31, 2022 forgiveness repayment date will be extended to December 31, 2023 for eligible CEBA loan holders in good standing. If you qualify for the new extended term, you will be contacted with details regarding the new repayment date.
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NEW: Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is a partnership between the federal government, Black-led business organizations, the Business Development Bank of Canada and other financial institutions. It provides loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.
Applications began to be accepted in 2021 and the program is still open, click here to learn more. |
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NEW: Serving Elizabeth on Stage at Theatre Aquarius October 19th - November 5th
Written by Marcia Johnson
In the script of history, who gets a speaking role?
In Kenya in 1952, Mercy, a restaurant proprietor, is hired to cater the impending visit of Princess Elizabeth, soon to be Queen. In 2015, another story unfolds in London, England, where a young Kenyan-born Canadian, Tia, is working as an intern on a TV drama series about the British royal family – while also pursuing a writing project of her own. These parallel narratives seem only coincidentally connected – until a surprising twist reveals a deeper relationship between the two.
Audiences are certain to enjoy this ingenious contemporary comedy that keeps us guessing as it explores issues of colonialism, nationalism and the question of who gets to have a voice.
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WSIB Doubles Rebates for Small Businesses Enrolled in Safety Program
The WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence program is a voluntary incentive program that rewards businesses for investing in health and safety. It provides businesses of all sizes and health and safety maturity with the building blocks to improve workplace health and safety.
The program allows you to focus on the health and safety issues that matter most to you. There are 36 health and safety topics available to choose from, and for every topic you complete, you'll earn a rebate on your WSIB premiums.
Through the program, you'll receive financial rebates on your WSIB premiums in recognition of your efforts to complete health and safety topics. The size of the rebates WSIB will send out will vary from business to business. The minimum rebate for each topic is $1,000, and the maximum is $50,000 (or up to 100 percent of the amount a business paid for the prior year's WSIB premiums).
But, for a limited time only, smaller businesses (1-99 employees) will receive double the rebate for every program topic they complete up until December 31, 2022. Plus, WSIB will give smaller businesses enrolling in the program before December 31, 2022, an immediate $1000 just for signing up. That's on top of the rebates you'll get for completing topics! In some cases, you can get back more from the WSIB than you paid in premiums.
Businesses can learn more about the program and sign up today here. The deadline is December 31, 2022. |
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Free Training Programs Offered By Goodwill Amity
- Successful Women In Advanced Manufacturing (SWIM) - The SWIM program offered by Goodwill Amity is a brand-new program for passionate individuals who identify as a woman looking to pursue a career in the manufacturing industry. The 4-week training program provides participants with the technical skills and business acumen that will help them make their way up in the manufacturing world. At the end of the training period, participants will have direct access to interview for some of Ontario’s top manufacturing employers. View the program flyer for more information.
- The Food and Beverage Accelerated Skills Training Program (FAST) - Formerly the Skills Advance Ontario (SAO) Food Manufacturing Program, offers free online training and resources to help you get employed in the food manufacturing industry. View the program flyer for more information.
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Talent Opportunities Program: Applications Now Open
The application portal is open for the Fall 2022 term (September–December 2022). New eligibility rules are now in effect and can be found below and in the TOP Program Guidelines & FAQs. Please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria prior to submitting an application. Please note that funding is limited and applications are not guaranteed to fund.
Are you an employer hiring post-secondary students on work-integrated learning (WIL) placements, such as cooperative education and internships? If so, you may be eligible for a wage subsidy of up to $7,000 per student! Learn more about the Talent Opportunities Program and if your business is eligible, click here.
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RAISE Service and Grant Program
Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) is a service and grant program developed and administered by the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA), the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), and in partnership with the Parkdale Centre for Innovation (PCI), to support Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs in Ontario to start and scale their business. For more information and to start the application process, click here.
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Hamilton Rapid Testing Program for Businesses
The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is still providing Hamilton businesses and organizations with Free COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Testing Kits for their workplace. If you are interested in ordering kits for your workplace, please click the button below to learn more about the program and schedule a pick-up time.
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Federal Government's Business Benefits Finder Helps Businesses Seeking Specific Supports
The Government of Canada's online Business Benefits Finder helps businesses find the right programs and services that they need, whether they are starting out or scaling up. The site generates a tailored list of resources based on a business's identified goals and the type of support needed.
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Reporting Crime in the BIA
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Call 9-1-1
If you see a crime in progress including, aggressive panhandling, assault, theft, and graffiti.
Call Non-Emergencies Line
To report a crime that has already happened such as mischief, damage to vehicle or property, shoplifting that has already occurred, counterfeit money or you see a suspicious person in the area call the Hamilton Police at 905-546-4925.
Report Graffiti
Call 911 if you witness graffiti in progress. If your building has been tagged or see graffiti in the area report it to the City of Hamilton at 905-546-2489. For hate or political tag, report it to the Hamilton Police at 905-546-4925.
Report Online
Report a non-urgent crime, such as damage or mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000 or physical assault if it happened in Hamilton and you don’t know who it is. Report online here.
Crime Prevention Resources
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International Village BIA Crime Manager
Crime Managers play a crucial role within the Hamilton Police Service. They are the primary liaison between our communities, political leaders, and front-line patrol officers. The International Village BIA’s Crime Manager is able to assist members with non-emergency-related community complaints.
Members in the International Village BIA should direct any non-emergency-related complaints to our Crime Manager.
These complaints can include business theft, vehicle and property damage, suspicious person, aggressive behaviour, counterfeit money, and noise complaints. Members are also able to reach out to our Crime Manager to provide feedback or seek guidance pertaining to a specific issue.
Sgt. Cory Gurman
Central Crime Managers
(905) 540-6074 | cgurman@hamiltonpolice.on.ca
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