"The program not only exceeded my expectations, it provided the necessary tools to help us successfully launch Garden Strategies and to grow our business into something we are proud to call our own."
Bob Chrystian, Garden Strategies

Breaking the Barrier Award Winner

Frances Tanner and her guide dog Maisey have been an inspiration to everyone here at the Business Development Centre, and Frances continues to educate and inspire others with her informative talks for businesses around understand the importance of accessibility. On June 2nd, Frances received the 2010 March of Dimes Breaking the Barrier Advocacy Award at a ceremony at Market Square in St. Catharines. The Awards recognize actions by Niagara individuals, businesses and organizations that result in improved integration and accessibility for people in the community.

  Are You Ready?

Get ahead of the competition by learning how to grow your business and be more productive. Niagara College, in conjunction with the Government of Ontario, Connect, TRIEC, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and other host colleges, is holding 2 FREE workshops for small and medium-sized enterprises that hire or will need to hire staff. Workshop 1, Foundation, discusses demographics of the Ontario workforce and cultural awareness; Workshop 2, Advanced, shows you how to build your HR toolbox, access a pool of talented and skilled workers, and create an action plan for your business growth. Don't miss this great free opportunity to build your hiring skills and strengthen your business. You must take Workshop 1 before you sign up for Workshop 2. For more information, click here for the flyer and here for the registration form.

  New Payment Card Industry Requirements for businesses

With the rise in consumer data fraud, the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council has set up a new security standard by which all businesses that allow payment by credit or debit cards must comply. The new requirement conforms to a global data security standard that includes requirements for policies and procedures, security management, software design, network architecture and other protective measures. The new standards come into effect on July 1, 2010. For more information on what your business will be required to do, please see the Featured Resource on our Resources & Links page.

Venture Niagara provides small loans for technology & equipment purchases

If your business is located in Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Thorold or Welland, you may be eligible for a loan to buy a specific piece of equipment related to the operation of your company, or to buy technology like computers, printers, software, website development, etc. The loans are available for from $2,000 to $7,000, at a 4% interest rate over a maximum term of 36 months. Contact Kathy DiFiore at 905-680-8085 or kdifiore@ventureniagara.com for more information, or click on the flyer links below. You can complete an application on the Venture Niagara website.
Equipment Loan
Technology Loan


Bill 168 Compliance Package

Bill 168, which is an amendment to the Occupational Health & Safety Act,  will require all employers with 5+ employees to develop policies, programs, assessments and worker guidelines covering violence and harassment in the workplace by June, 2010.  The St. Catharines-Thorold Chamber of Commerce is providing a Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Program Manual, developed by the Mouradian Group Inc., which will help your company comply with the Act. If you're a member of the Chamber, you'll receive a $100 discount on the manual (regular cost $495). Click here for more details and the order form.



Skills Upgrading at Niagara College

The School of Academic Studies at the College's Niagara-on-the-Lake campus is offering Help Sessions for upgrading your proficiency in Writing Skills, Business Math and English as a Second Language. Click here for more information.



BDC Business Card Exchange

As a service to our current and past clients who would like to get in touch with each other, and for any interested consumers, we're introducing a virtual business card exchange feature. Click here to visit the Business Card Exchange page and see who's there. If you're one of our clients and would like to be added to the page, send your information to Mary Ann Martin at mmartin@niagaracollege.ca as per details provided on the Exchange page.



Send Us Your News!

We invite current and past clients of the Business Development Centre to send us your news. Are you having a special event, opening a new location, receiving an award, or celebrating a business anniversary? We want to post your news on this page! Contact Mary Ann Martin at 905-641-2252 ext. 4456 or at mmartin@niagaracollege.ca to give us an update.