Chamber of Commerce to receive $50,000 to boost County businesses, services

The County’s Chamber of Commerce will receive $50,000 from the municipality’s Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to help deliver campaigns, workshops and outreach.

Council at Tuesday night’s meeting heard the service agreement with the PEC Chamber will include:
– undertaking a Buy Local campaign highlighting County business, services, manufacturers and suppliers;
– promotion of transportation options and services;
– improve awareness and action on accessibility among the business community;
– organize and host education workshops related to municipal services
– and co-ordinate the organizing of a pilot County Connect Trade Show featuring regional vendors and suppliers, with the goal of improving local supply chains and local procurement.

Staff was directed by council to bring forward an “exceptional partnership” idea at the Jan. 30 council meeting, following a deputation from PEC Chamber CEO Duarte da Silva, requesting municipal funding over three years.

The fund, he said, would be used to grow the chamber’s resource and knowledge base; strengthen and deliver more value to the membership; leverage digital training (artificial intelligence, marketing, etc); to add value, diversity revenue away from member dues; engage youth in entrepreneurship and advisory roles; formalize the four-season economy working group, improve business data collection and resurrect the shop local shop the county campaign.

da Silva noted the chamber membership has fallen to 272 members, with base membership offered at $355.

“Amidst the (US president) Trump administration, tariff threats, falling Canadian dollar, and the looming provincial and federal elections across Canada, the role of Chambers of Commerce has never been more vital. We provide the insights, resources, and advocacy needed to navigate this complex and changing environment.”

While the Chamber supports member businesses, the draft service agreement has been written to explicitly state that all County businesses would be encouraged to attend workshops, stated Karen Palmer, Economic Development Officer in her report to council, adding “that outreach would be extended throughout the business community, regardless of membership.”

Chambers of Commerce are not-for-profit organizations set up to support a positive local/regional economic climate for business. Chambers promote and advocate for the interests of their member businesses, lobbying at various levels of government for policy or funding needs. They often provide networking opportunities, organize leadership events, and offer resources and guidance for business development and growth. Chambers are primarily funded through membership dues.

Chambers differ from Business Improvement Associations (BIA), which have specific provisions within the Municipal Act and tend to concentrate on commercial areas. BIAs are created by municipal bylaw which, under the legislation, allows the municipality to issue a levy on all businesses in a defined area (through a tax bill on commercially classified properties within the boundary). BIAs tend to focus on beautification projects, marketing campaigns, events and safety initiatives that attract customers, visitors and investors. The Picton BIA is the only formal BIA in Prince Edward County.

“It is worth noting that informal business groups in Wellington and Bloomfield are currently struggling to remain viable – the toll of pandemic pivots and economic dips has made it difficult to rely on business owners to provide volunteer leadership,” stated Palmer, in her report. “Both groups have inquired about receiving tax-supported funding, which would require the formation of a formal BIA. This process is governed by the Municipal Act and requires a minimum of two-thirds of businesses within a set geographical area to agree to be levied in support of a business organization. A community-wide meeting must also be held. Awarding tax-supported funds to the PEC Chamber for general operations or to improve member services would create an unfair inequality amongst business groups.”

“Instead, staff are recommending a Service Agreement that aligns with municipal priorities, council efforts to show support for ‘buy local’ initiatives and activities outlined in the Economic Development Action Plan (2025-2030).”

While the Chamber requested three years of funding, the recommendation is for one year as the current council term will end before 2027. A draft business support policy will be brought to council in the fall.

The municipality has also committed $120,000 over three years to support an application under the FedDev Funding for Organizations that Support Business Growth stream. The $280,000 proposal was submitted in partnership with the PEC Chamber and Visit the County (VtC) in December 2024 to develop a Made in The County certification and branding program.

If successful, grant funds would provide for one additional PEC Chamber staff and a total of $24,000 for grant administration. Staff have earmarked $50,000 for this program in the 2025 Tourism Management Plan (TMP) budget and will propose a further $40,000 in 2026 and $30,000 in 2027. The 2025 investment in this program will be considered by Council in late March when the TMP is presented for approval. The matched fund will also leverage a $20,000 contribution by VtC to expand their marketing budget.

County businesses are already served by the Small Business Centre (SBC), which offers a wealth of online and in-person webinars and workshops. Already in 2025, the SBC has offered workshops on digital marketing, managing neurodivergent employees, lead generation, payroll and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) payments, intellectual property, partnership development and product development and pricing.

Municipal staff are currently partnering on workshops with PEC Wines, VtC and the Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture (PEFA), on agritourism, sustainable farming and sustainable manufacturing practices. Staff are also working with the Prince Edward Learning Centre and Greater Than Youth Collective on a two-stage Economic Development ‘hackathon’ for youth aged 18-30. This is being funded through a mix of operational and grant funding.