NEW: Recruitment for Citizen Members to Serve on a City of Hamilton
Recruitment for citizen members to serve on a City of Hamilton agency, board and sub-committee will be open until April 6th, 2023, at 4:30PM.
The City of Hamilton, supported by City Council, want to ensure that its Committees and Local Boards reflect the diversity of Hamilton’s growing and vibrant population, including those with lived experience have an opportunity to participate in local municipal government. With this in mind, we strongly encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, Black, Indigenous, people of colour and those from equity-deserving groups. All interested individuals are invited to consider these opportunities.
Individuals interested can apply to a maximum of two (2) Committees. Each committee requires a separate application.
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NEW: City Begins Installation of New Truck Route Signage
The City has begun installing new and modified truck route signage throughout Hamilton to implement the recommendations of the 2022 Truck Route Master Plan Update.
Key changes include:
- the restriction of trucks over 4-axles from travelling within areas of the downtown and other parts of the lower city,
- removal of selected streets from the truck route network,
- modifications to certain time of day restrictions.
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NEW: Applications Now Open for the 2023 1Awards - Entries Close March 31st
Have you been in business for more than two years with less than 50 employees? Are you a for-profit business with a commitment to your community? The FirstOntario 1Awards are back to support small businesses that make our communities unique and the entrepreneurs who are determined to make them succeed.
The 2023 competition is offering $200,000 to Hamilton, Halton, Brant, Niagara and surrounding area business owners a chance to win and share $25,000 in and $175,000 in professional services. Prizes are determined by the judging panel following pitches.
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NEW: Digital Main Street: Digital Transformation Grant Program
Digital Main Street (DMS) is a program focused on assisting small businesses with their move to online marketing, sales, and back-office operations. The program is built around an online learning platform, structured video training series, grant opportunities, and a Digital Service Squad, a team of trained individuals who help main street businesses with their adoption of digital tools and technology.
The application portal for the Digital Main Street Digital Transformation Grant Program remains open until September 30th, 2023 (or until grant funds are fully exhausted).
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LAST CHANCE: THE GIG On Stage Now At Theatre Aquarius Until March 25th
Written by Mark Crawford
Directed by Morris Panych
Limited Special Community Offer: Save 25% on tickets to THE GIG using code GETTOTHEGIG **excludes copper seating
Three drag queens have been hired to perform at a private function. The catch? Tonight’s event is a campaign fundraiser for a Conservative politician. As the queens struggle to agree on how to proceed, the campaign manager and rookie candidate attempt to send a message of inclusivity and hope to their voters. Throw in an unimpressed venue technician and a long-standing MP who’s been forced into retirement and, honey, this gig will have you “gagging!” Politics! Sibling rivalry! Wigs!
The Gig is a contemporary comedy that asks: what do we do when we don’t see eye-to-eye?
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Last Day: To enter Theatre Aqaurius's next 50/50 draw, click the button.
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NEW: Ontario BIA Association CEBA Survey
As you know, the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) repayment in-full date is coming up on December 31, 2023.
The Ontario BIA Association and the Ottawa Coalition of BIAs (OCOBIA) have been recommending to both Federal and Provincial governments that they either extend the repayment date or forgive - in part or in full - the payback of the loan as an investment in the small business sector.
Please answer this short survey to share your feedback.
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NEW: A Call to the Provincial Government to End Homelessness in Ontario
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has asked the Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA) and other partners to support their letter to the province on homelessness. The Ontario BIA Association's Advocacy Committee met and crafted the following resolution.
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NEW: Applications for the Youth Employment and Skills Program are Now Open
The Youth Employment and Skills Program is now open and accepting applications. YESP offers support for 50% of wages to a maximum of $14,000 to agriculture employers hiring Canadian youth. Employers that hire youth facing employment barriers will be eligible for 80% of the cost of salaries and benefits and may be eligible for an additional $5,000 to address specific obstacles to employment.
Applications are now open for a limited time. Employers can apply between February 27, 2023 and March 27, 2023 for their project to be considered. Applications from Indigenous applicants will be prioritized for the 2023-2024 program year.
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NEW: Extension of Post-Graduation Work Permits for up to 18 Months to Retain High-Skilled Talent
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship recently announced that international graduates with a recently expired or expiring post-graduation work permit (PGWP) will qualify for an additional or extended work permit to stay longer and gain additional work experience for up to 18 months. The PGWP Program allows international graduates to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Starting April 6, 2023, these measures will allow PGWP holders who wish to stay longer to opt in to a facilitative process to extend their work permit and will allow Canada to retain high-skilled talent.
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NEW: Sarah Jama Elected as New M.P.P. for Hamilton Centre
The provincial byelection was held on Thursday, March 16, 2023 and Ontario NDP Candidate Sarah Jama was elected as the new Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Centre.
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NEW: Road Closure King William St. between Jarvis St. and Wellington St. N.
Notice of Full Road Closure. For construction at 253-257 King William between JARVIS ST and WELLINGTON ST N. Monday, March 20, 9:00 am to Tuesday, March 28, 8:00 pm. City of Hamilton Road Closure Permit #ROAD-CLOSE-00492
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New: The Spring Tide Show - March 10th-19th, 2023
The Spring Tide Bulb Show is a journey to an oasis with beautiful flower displays and the smell of spring. Running from March 10th-19th, 2023 at the Gage Park Greenhouse (9AM to 5PM) hundreds of spring bulbs will be on display. There will also be a vendor marketplace, café and flower shop. To learn more, click here.
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NEW: Facebook and Instagram Advertising on a Small Budget
Date/Time: March 28th | 7PM
This workshop is a free online webinar for small businesses in Ontario. This intermediate-level webinar is for those that have already dipped their toes into the world of Instagram and are looking to grow on the platform. We’ll explore different ways small businesses are strategically building a following on Instagram and generating sales from their efforts. You’ll walk away from this webinar with a long list of ideas you can use right away. Register for this Digital Main Street Training Session Here.
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NEW: Hamilton Business Centre & Digital Main Street Programs for Small Businesses
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Complimentary Google 360 Photo Tours for Businesses
360 images and tours drive results! 360 images can not only improve your user experience, and make it easier for customers to find you but also let customers peek inside before they arrive while boosting your business’s visibility online. Request your business’s complimentary 360 photo session today through the Hamilton Business Centre and the Digital Main Street Service Squad. |
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25-Point Google Business Profile Audit
Your business’s Google Business Profile can transform how you acquire customers online. Here’s what some of the data says: 93% of local searches now feature Google Business Profiles, 68% of people contact a business directly from search results, 88% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. There are a lot of people using Google every day for local purposes. And now we know that virtually all of those searches feature Google Business Profiles. Request your business’s complimentary audit today to be sure your profile is optimized and being used to its fullest potential. |
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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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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.To learn more about the program and schedule a pick-up time, click here.
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Federal Government's Business Benefits Finder
The Government of Canada's online Business Benefits Finder helps businesses find the right programs and services that they need. The site generates a tailored list of resources based on a business's identified goals and the type of support needed. To learn more, click here. |
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Progress Pride Flag Door Decal Now Available for Businesses in the International Village BIA
Businesses in the International Village BIA can now pick up a Progress Pride Flag door decal for FREE at Atomica Tattoo & Art Studio (203 King St. East). Please display this on the door or window of your business.
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Ward 2 Councillor's Office - Contact Information and Staff
Members requiring assistance from the City of Hamilton are now able to report issues to the Ward 2 Councillor's office. When reaching out to the Ward 2 Councillor's office please use the following information and a ticket will be created to make sure any requests are answered.
- Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 2 Councillor ward2@hamilton.ca | 905-546-2197
- Hasnain Khan, Ward 2 Constituency Coordinator hasnain.khan@hamilton.ca | 905-546-2197
- Liesl Thomas, Ward 2 Constituency Coordinator liesl.thomas@hamilton.ca | 905-546-2197
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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 9-1-1 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.ca
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