"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

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.

Confident Image Chez France moves to new location and adds a service

As of February 1, 2010 you'll find Confident Image Chez France in a new larger location at 569 Ontario Street Unit #1 (north of the QEW). Owner France Di Paola has added Laser Hair Removal to her roster of services, and also welcomes Sue Wiley, Classical Osteopathic Practitioner (RN, DOHN, RMT, DO and MRO), to provide Osteopathy, Massage Therapy, Stone Massage and Reiki. For more information call 905-931-0686. Click here for a special introductory coupon.

New Health and Safety Workshops for Business

The Ontario Service Safety Association is partnering with the BDC to provide three FREE Health & Safety Workshops for business owners, beginning in February. Click here for more information.

Need a break? College launches new travel program

If  you're ready to take a break, join Niagara College's new Explorers' Club, which takes small groups on escorted trips around the world. The inaugural trip is an African safari, departing April 25, 2010. Click here for more information on the club and all upcoming excursions.

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 Erica Jurus at ejurus@niagarac.on.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 Erica Jurus at 905-641-2252 ext. 4435 or at ejurus@niagaracollege.ca to give us an update.

Networking Café

Former and current BDC clients: Keep in the loop by joining us once a month to enjoy a fun 15- minute seminar on business news or topics of note, followed by an informal opportunity to catch up on the Business Development Centre and your collegues, and to meet new people and contacts.

Our cafes are back in session. Please check back for an updated schedule with our 2010 dates & topics.

Location: NOTL Campus, Niagara College
Time: 7:30am to 8:30am
Fee: $10 (includes seminar, refreshments and any resource material)

Payment will be accepted at the door and receipts will be issued. Pre-registration is required to ensure a seat. For further information, click here.