The Niverville Chamber of Commerce held their annual general meeting on Monday, April 23, at the Heritage Centre. The evening was anchored by the presentation of this year’s Business Awards.
The three awards—Outstanding Customer Service, Outstanding Business of the Year, and the Alex Fast Sr. Memorial Award—were present by Chamber Vice-President John Magri.
The Customer Service award is based on three criteria: company background, customer votes, and customer comments. A big part of this award comes from public nominations. The nominees this year included a mix of new and established businesses: BSI Insurance Brokers, Country Snacks, Dollhouse Design, done hair, skin & nails, Niverville Family Chiropractic, and Niverville Shell.
The award was given to done hair, skin & nails.
“I wholeheartedly believe in only providing a service if it is safe and healthy for the client,” says done owner Karen Albaugh. “If what the client is asking for isn’t in their best interest, we do not just take the money.”
The salon received several positive customer comments.
“They will go out of their way to help you out,” said one voter. “If you are not quite happy about something, they will take care of it.”
There were two nominees for Outstanding Business of the Year: The Citizen and Wiens Furniture and Appliances. In his presentation, Maigre emphasized that both of these businesses have taken considerable risks in light of the current business climate in their respective sectors. The Citizen has expanded its operations in the face of a declining print industry, and Wiens has recently expanded their showroom and hired a marketing manager.
This year’s award was given to Wiens Furniture and Appliances, one of Niverville’s most well-established businesses. The award was accepted by Dylan and Amanda Wiens.
“The business environment is changing faster than it ever has before,” says a statement from Wiens. “But as a family-owned and operated venture, we have the ability to adapt with greater speed and focus than the giants do.”
The evening’s third presentation, the Alex Fast Sr. Memorial Award, is given every year to a business or businessperson with a long track record of contributing to the community. This year, the Chamber chose to recognize Clarence Braun.
A lifelong resident of Niverville, Braun has served the community in many capacities. In business, he has owned multiple restaurants and currently is one of the region’s leading realtors. He also served for two terms as Niverville’s mayor, from 1995 through 2002, and has volunteered his time as a sports coach and fundraiser and organizer of many community groups. He has been a key figure in spearheading fundraising efforts to bring to reality the Community Resource Centre.
“Alex Fast Sr. was of a generation before me and a close friend of my father’s,” says Braun. “He actually spoke the eulogy for my father’s funeral service back in 1975. I observed Mr. Fast when I was a child, a teenager, and then into adulthood and became aware of the stories of his giving back to the community in so many ways. He impacted the community at many different levels. I consider it an honour to be so recognized, and my thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for this.”
Annual General Meeting
At the meeting, the Chamber also reported on their extensive activities throughout the past year. In 2017, the Chamber launched a new website, held a successful golf fundraiser, introduced a bimonthly e-newsletter, hosted a beer-tasting mixer, and worked alongside the Ritchot Chamber to continue their joint Open for Business tours. The Chamber also held the extremely successful third annual Winterfest Market and Craft Sale in November.
In 2018, the Chamber will provide business assistance to new entrepreneurs, organize a consumer survey to better understand the shopping habits of local residents, hold further mixers and networking opportunities for business owners, and host a candidates forum in advance of the fall municipal election.
Guest speaker Josée Lemoine, President of Pivot Performance, spoke about the ways in which small business owners can strategize to maximize their growth potential. Pivot Performance is a bilingual business consulting firm. Although the business operates out of Winnipeg, Lemoine is originally from Ste. Agathe.
Finally, three board members were confirmed to fill vacancies on the Chamber board. Kelsey Kosman returned as an incumbent, and Steve Neufeld and Amanda Wiens replaced departing board members Guy Britten and Mel Buhler, who has just wrapped up his sixth and final year as Chamber President. Other board members include Bryan Trottier, Clint Hiebert, Andy Anderson, Doug Dyck, Karen Albaugh, and John Magri.
A new Chamber President will be named on May 10.
Report from Council
As part of the annual general meeting, Niverville Mayor Myron Dyck delivered a report to the business community on behalf of town council.
One of the town’s biggest recent accomplishments has been their progress on the Niverville Business Park. Last year, the town annexed 180 acres from the RM of Hanover for this purpose.
“To date, I can let you know that about half of phase one is sold, and phase two planning has begun,” Dyck said. “We anticipate in the next year or two that phase one will be sold out.”
He also highlighted the new businesses that have sprouted up on Main Street, bringing more jobs and services.
“In the last four years, I can say that the relationship has strengthened between town council and the Chamber of Commerce,” said Dyck. “I and my fellow councillors have thoroughly enjoyed having our more regular meetings so that we’re more able to engage and discuss topics that are important to businesses and the community.”
According to Dyck, the installation of town water along Main Street has led to greater opportunities for existing businesses, and opened the door for new builds in the commercial strip north of The Highlands. This water line will also service the new high school and Community Resource Centre.
“Other things that have happened is the Business Incentive Grant, to assist new businesses and existing business with tax relief,” Dyck continued. “This is part of our strategy of attracting more business to Niverville.”
Dyck says that several key initiatives are on the way in 2018. In June, Niverville will be the gold sponsor at Embracing Excellence, an elite manufacturing conference being held at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg. Boeing will be the platinum sponsor. The town sees this conference as an important opportunity to attract manufacturing companies to Niverville.
Following an intersection impact study to look at the way traffic flows along Main Street, several enhancements will get underway either this year or the next. The two intersections initially impacted will be Fifth and Main and Krahn Road and Highway 311.
Council is also consulting with the province to consider lowering the speed limits along the 311 at both the east and west entrances to town. The hope is for these changes to come into force next year.
Dyck says that council will be working alongside the Chamber to develop a policy for temporary businesses, including seasonal operations and food trucks.
He also delivered an update on the work that’s underway on Niverville’s connection to the new well. He says that this well will provide the necessary quantity of water to provide for Niverville’s continued growth for many years to come.
“In 2014, there was a strong mandate given to council to improve business, and much has been done. But much is yet to be done,” Dyck concluded. “As I look back at the four years, I wish to say how privileged I feel to have been able to work with all of you, and all council members, in making Niverville better. I want to thank you for all your hard work and commitment to our great community.”
