The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
September Newsletter

A short note from your Executive Director

Summer always feels a little different around the Chamber.

Our event calendar naturally gets a little lighter this time of year. While our signature Business After 5 and Business Before 9 series take their traditional summer pause, we’re still looking forward to connecting with you at:

It may look a little quieter from the outside, but behind the scenes we’re moving full speed ahead. Our fiscal year has wrapped up, we’re preparing for our Annual General Meeting, planning for the months ahead, and laying the groundwork for another year of supporting Lincoln’s business community.

Our Annual General Meeting is one of the most important events we host. It’s an opportunity to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together, share where we’re headed, and most importantly, hear from you. This Chamber exists because of its members, and your ideas help shape what comes next. I truly hope you’ll join us.

I also know that summer looks different depending on your business. For many of you, this is your busiest season. Visitors are filling patios, booking accommodations, shopping local, and discovering everything Lincoln has to offer. If that’s you, I hope it’s a successful and rewarding few months.

For others, though, summer offers something much more valuable: a little breathing room. If business is a little quieter, don’t let that time slip away. Use it to work on your business, not just in it.

  • Review your policies.
  • Update your website.
  • Refresh your marketing.
  • Organize your finances.
  • Build the systems and processes that will support you when things inevitably become busy again.

The strongest businesses aren’t built during moments of crisis. They’re built in the quieter seasons, so they’re ready when the unexpected happens.

And don’t do it alone. Invite another Chamber member for a coworking morning. Grab a coffee, spend a few hours tackling those projects you’ve been putting off, share ideas, and keep each other accountable. Sometimes the best ideas come from simply sitting around the same table.

Whatever this season looks like for you, I hope you find time to enjoy everything that makes summer in Lincoln so special. Support another local business, take a well-earned break when you can, and remember that investing in your business is just as important as serving your customers.

Thank you, as always, for allowing us to champion this incredible business community. It’s a privilege to do this work alongside all of you.

Emilia Amaro
Executive Director, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

It's time to reserve your spot in our 2026/27 Membership Guide! 📣

This annual publication is a valuable resource for Chamber members, local organizations, and the community throughout the year—and a great opportunity to showcase your brand to a highly engaged local audience.

Advertising opportunities are available exclusively to Lincoln Chamber members.

Quarter Page Ad | $275
Half Page Ad | $500
Full Page Ad | $750
Back Cover Ad | $1000

HST will be added to all advertising rates

Email office@lincolnchamber.ca with your preferred ad size by Wednesday, July 15.

đź’° Niagara Community Foundation is now accepting applications for The 2026 Mini Grant: an accessible program that gives charity partners a small boost to help them reach the next milestone. With a $2,500 cap, this grant allows charities to purchase new equipment, build on existing programming, or enhance the services they offer to the community.

Applications are due Monday, July 13th at NOON. Learn more and apply.

♿ A new pilot program is coming to support an accessible and inclusive Niagara for all tourism-related businesses. This partnership between AccessNow and the Tourism Partnership of Niagara provides tourism-related businesses in Niagara with the tools and visibility needed to welcome all visitors with confidence. Apply for the Program

🗳️ Individuals interested in running in the 2026 municipal and school board elections can file their nomination papers from May 1 to Aug. 21, 2026. Nomination papers are available through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website or at municipal Clerk’s Offices. For more information please visit the Niagara Votes website.

đź’° Small Businesses Can Apply for Funding to Adopt Digital Technologies. Our government is expanding the Digital Competence Centre to help small and medium-sized businesses across Ontario adopt digital technologies, modernize operations, and improve productivity. Learn More & Apply

đź’° Ontario Investing $6 Million to Support Young Entrepreneurs. Funding will provide nearly 1,000 young entrepreneurs with the tools and support needed to launch and expand their businesses. Read the Release

June Highlights from Sam Oosterhoff, MPP Niagara West:

2026 Summer Term for the Talent Opportunities Program

The Lincoln Chamber is delighted to share this opportunity for businesses hiring post-secondary students. The Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) is accepting applications for the Summer 2026 term (April 1 to August 31, 2026).

TOP is an initiative led by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and supported by funding from the Government of Canada, that offers subsidized wages of up to $5,000 to eligible employers who employ postsecondary students on a student work placement program.

Funding for this program is limited and spots fill up quickly. To learn more or to apply, visit our website in the link below.

Apply Today

For any inquiries, please contact the Talent Opportunities Program team at top@occ.ca.

The OCC's Skills Bridge Program is a digital training platform designed to upskill and reskill your team.

Until the end of August 2026, get access to over 60+ courses at no cost! Register your business and up to 10 different employees to unleash your businesses' potential.

Register Your Business

You've Hired Your First Employees. Now What?

Hiring your first employees is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with new responsibilities and risks.

This practical session is designed for small business owners, founders, and new employers who want to better understand their obligations and build a strong foundation for growth. We'll cover key employment standards, workplace policies, onboarding considerations, and common mistakes to avoid as you begin building your team.

📅 July 29, 2026 | ⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | 💻 Online

Reserve a Spot

Looking for exceptional value on your next vehicle?

Grimsby Hyundai currently features an impressive selection of in-stock, pre-owned demonstrator vehicles that offer the perfect blend of new-car quality and pre-owned savings.

Visit their showroom today or browse online to secure an incredible deal on these meticulously maintained, low-mileage models before they're gone.

Shop Pre-Owned Demonstrators

Golden Hour: A Summer Evening in Support of Conservation

Experience an unforgettable evening under the summer sky at Golden Hour, a new signature fundraising event presented by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation. Set against the stunning backdrop of Ball's Falls Conservation Area, this elevated outdoor celebration brings together live music, exceptional local food and beverages, and inspiring conservation storytelling all in support of protecting Niagara's natural spaces.

The evening's entertainment will feature a headline performance by acclaimed Canadian indie folk band Great Lake Swimmers, with an opening set by Minuscule and curated soundscapes from DJ Marinko. Guests will also enjoy elevated culinary offerings from Niagara's own Chef Brad Rempel, complemented by craft beverages from Bench Brewing Company and other local beverage partners.​​​​​​​

Date & Time: Friday, July 24 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Ball's Falls Conservation Area (3292 Sixth Avenue, Lincoln, ON L0R 1S0)

Whether you're passionate about conservation, looking for a unique summer evening out, or simply want to support an important local cause, Golden Hour offers a memorable experience in one of Niagara's most beautiful natural settings. Every ticket purchased helps the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation continue its work protecting, restoring, and enhancing the region's natural environment for future generations.

Tickets are now available. Learn more and reserve your spot today at npcf.ca/goldenhour.​​​​​​​

Great Lakes Christian High School Student has been selected to receive a $120,000 Scholarship

Matthias Lodewyk has received a $120,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship to study Engineering at Western University this fall. This is the first nominee to win this scholarship at Great Lakes Christian High School.

Lodewyk was selected by Tricia Maughan for his outstanding academic and extra-curricular achievements. He is one of 100 Canadian students receiving a 2026 Schulich Leader Scholarship in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Congratulations, Matthias!

The West Niagara Flying Aces U14A Team is gearing up for the 2026/2027 hockey season and are looking for local businesses to join our team as valued sponsors!

Your support helps make this season possible while showing your commitment to youth sports and our local community. Every sponsorship makes a difference, and we are grateful for your support!

Packages available from $300 - $1,500 with recognition opportunities including team banner placement, social media promotion, and sponsor appreciation.

To find out more about our sponsorship opportunities, please email westniagarahockey12@gmail.com

Supper. Sunset. Community. Lincoln’s only summer market—every Wednesday evening. Expect an incredible line-up of food vendors, artisans, nonprofit organizations, and live music.

📍 3329 North Service Road, Lincoln ON

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Welcome New Members! We're so excited to welcome new members to our community. Check out these entrepreneurs and organizations who've joined us at the Lincoln Chamber this past month.

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Elevate Tech

We help organizations modernize their IT environments and to operate more securely in an increasingly complex digital landscape. We aim to elevate your business through technology. Technology should enable growth in your business not slow it down and our focus is to build a scalable, secure system that supports long-term success. Proud to serve and support businesses right here in our local community.

Visit Website

Colmarsol Corp.

Colmarsol Corp. helps local businesses stop doing things the hard way. If your team is copying data between systems, drowning in spreadsheets, or spending time on work that should just happen automatically — we build the fix.

We specialize in data conversions, system integrations, and process automation, with experience across healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, non-profit, and more. Our solutions are practical, cost-effective, and built specifically for your operation — not off the shelf.

Visit Website

Are you taking advantage of all your membership has to offer? 

View All Member Benefits

✨ Annual Gold Sponsors ✨

Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc.

KIND WORDS FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP

“In short, we love being a member of the Chamber of Commerce. It really allows us to strengthen and nurture the bond we have with this community. We get to build great relationships with other local businesses so that we can collaborate and communicate on ways to better serve the community."

— Matt G., Founder, Bench Brewing Company

We'd love to hear from you!

Your experiences inspire others and help us show the impact of membership with the Lincoln Chamber. Take a moment to submit a short testimonial about how the Lincoln Chamber has supported you and your business.

Submit a Testimonial