The Elk Valley Economic Initiative (EVEI) has published 4 community profiles, one for the Elk Valley, and three supporting documents for the communities of Fernie, Sparwood, and Elkford. Local businesses, community groups, and individuals can use these profiles to assist with workforce attraction and to learn more about the Elk Valley.

These are short form, easy to read documents focused on presenting all relevant information for the Elk Valley and each community.  Sections include: why the Elk Valley, living in the Elk Valley, labour force, business growth & climate, industry sectors, local business, and outdoor recreation

Resources – Elk Valley Economic Initiative | TheElkValley.ca Click this link to read all 4 community profiles!

The report describes findings from a business retention and expansion (BRE) survey conducted online via Survey Monkey by the EVEI for businesses operating in the Elk Valley. 119 of these business responses identified as operating in Sparwood and this report is focused exclusively on these businesses and was written in tandem with the Elk Valley BRE report which encompasses all business responses.

The key research findings in the report summarize the Sparwood business data, then the next steps and potential action items outline recommendations partner organizations could use to improve the business climate of Sparwood. The appendix section showcases the full quantitative data obtained from Sparwood businesses in the survey.

BRE is an effective economic development tool that encourages local businesses to stay and grow in the community through identifying and responding to their needs.

If you have any questions about the report, please do not hesitate to contact the Elk Valley Economic Recovery Advisor at taylor@theelkvalley.ca

Sparwood BRE Report 2022

Join us for our Annual General Meeting happening via Zoom on February 24th from 12pm – 1 pm.

If you join, you get automatically entered to win a Haddad Financial Gift Basket!!

Sparwood Chamber of Commerce is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Sparwood Chamber AGM February 24th
Time: Feb 24, 2022 11:45 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82384905619?pwd=eGpXdEtXZHlGK2pHOEpBamRTcnp3dz09

Meeting ID: 823 8490 5619
Passcode: 862777

The Sparwood Chamber has a sponsorship opportunity for your business! Whether your business is big or small, there are opportunities for you! Please take a look at our Sponsorship Guide that is attached to see what tier your business would best fit.

Sponsorship guide

If you think your company would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please let Bev or I know and we’ll be more than happy to help you and your business grow and prosper in The Elk Valley!

It’s time of year again! Get ready to sign up early for your 2022 Sparwood Chamber Membership to get entered to win one of these awesome prizes!

Join in on the fun on November 25th! Help us light up the Christmas Tree in Centennial Square. There will be hot chocolate and Santa!!

The Sparwood Chamber has decided to do things a bit different thing year! Instead of having our Business Awards, we are going to celebrate every business! We’ve all had to face difficult times and overcome numerous obstacles and challenges over the past year and we think everyone deserves to be celebrated for all their hard work!

We came up with this initiative to 1. Get customers more involved in the businesses success 2. Get the businesses free promotion and 3. To win come awesome prizes!

Small Business BC is offering this free course on management in the workplace on August 5th from 11:00 am to 11:45 am

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Performance management helps employees realize their full potential and employers align individual performance to organizational goals.Implementing effective performance management is something all business owners should invest time in, but it can be a challenging process. Join us for this informative webinar session and understand how to streamline the process and support the continuous development of your staff. Presented by Thao Tran, Senior Advisor of Human Resource Business at ADP, this session covers best practices for consistent assessment and feedback. Upon completion of the 30-minute presentation, there will be a Q&A session where Thao will be happy to address your individual questions.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

• Understand how performance management is an essential set of processes and systems to help employees and employers
• Recent trends such as the shift to a continuous developmental approach
• How to ensure consistent actionable feedback and coaching
• Strategic approaches to address performance issues

Register HERE

This webinar will take place via Zoom. Instructions to join our Zoom meeting will be sent to you two hours in advance. At Small Business BC, our number one priority will always be the health and safety of our clients, staff and service providers. As a result, we continue to deliver all our services online, or over the phone until further notice. View our resources for getting Back to Business, or connect directly with a business advisor through our COVID-19 Support Service. Please note: all webinar participants will also receive access to a recording for seven days after the live session.

As of July 1st, employers should develop a communicable disease plan. An effective plan includes ongoing measures to reduce the risk of communicable disease and additional measures for when there’s an elevated risk of communicable disease.

Please see the below guide to develop a communicable disease plan. Or click here to download the file.

Join the Sparwood Farmers Market every Friday from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Titan Park! Starting June 25th, 2021 to September 7th, 2021.

Come and check out some of the awesome vendors they have! An updated list on who is joining this year will be posted June 24th on here and on their website, Sparwood Market

BC’s Restart is a careful, four-step plan to help bring us back together again. Starting May 25th, we can gradually begin to restart some of our important social connections, businesses, and activities. This is in huge part thanks to everyone who followed public health guidance and the more than 2.7 million people who have already received dose 1 of the vaccine. Let’s continue to support our family, friends, and community to get vaccinated so we can keep moving forward, together. gov.bc.ca/restartBC