A short note from your Executive Director It certainly feels like conference season across Niagara! Between networking events, year-end planning, and gearing up for the holidays, there's no shortage of things keeping us busy.
But amid the hustle, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own achievements. Think of it as hosting your own personal AGM. What worked? What are you proud of? And what will you carry forward into the new year? Sometimes, recognizing how far we've come is the best way to prepare for what's next.
Now, onto what's happening at the Chamber! We're gearing up for a festive season filled with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and support our local business community!
We're gearing up for a wonderful holiday season, and there are plenty of opportunities to connect, celebrate, and support our local business community!
🎙️ CKTB Roundtable Road Trip Comes to Lincoln
We're excited to welcome the CKTB Roundtable Road Trip to Lincoln this year, hosted at Brick & Beam! There are still a few spots available, and we'd love to see our members join us for some great conversations and community connections. Click here to register!
🎁 A Little Holiday Secret... Deck the Bench Is Coming!
We're thrilled to be partnering with the Downtown Bench Beamsville BIA and local businesses to bring Deck the Bench to our community! This festive, day-long Saturday event will bring our business community together with local residents to celebrate the holiday season.
We're currently looking for Chamber members interested in partnering with downtown BIA storefronts to participate in the festivities. It's a wonderful opportunity to build relationships, increase your visibility, and get into the holiday spirit! Interested? Reach out to us. We'd love to get you involved!
🎄 Mingle & Jingle Is Back!
One of our favourite holiday traditions is returning! We're delighted to host Mingle & Jingle once again at Newark Brewing for an evening of festive cheer, networking, and celebration. Please note the change in day of the week this year! Join us on Wednesday, December 9. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available. We're also welcoming contributions to our holiday gift bags, so if your business would like to participate, please get in touch! Get Your Tickets & Explore Sponsorship Opportunities
👋 A Bittersweet Farewell & Our November Business After Five
Today, we share some bittersweet news. After over a year with the Lincoln Chamber, our Community & Communications Coordinator, Stephanie Conner, is moving on to an exciting new chapter in her career.
From the creativity behind our communications and event graphics to the friendly face welcoming you at registration tables, Stephanie has been an integral part of our Chamber team.
We're incredibly grateful for everything she's contributed and delighted that she'll remain connected to our Chamber community through her member business.
Fittingly, Stephanie's last day, November 19, coincides with our next Business After Five at the Lincoln Pelham Public Library!
We'll also be welcoming Mayor-elect Adam Russell, making this a wonderful opportunity to connect with our business community, welcome our incoming municipal leadership, and wish Stephanie well as she begins her next chapter.
We hope you'll join us for this special evening! Register for Business After Five
⭐️ Lots to Look Forward To!
There's plenty happening behind the scenes at the Chamber, including some exciting new programming and opportunities we're preparing for our members in 2027. We can't wait to share more with you!
In the meantime, I hope you'll take advantage of the many opportunities to connect, support local businesses, and celebrate the incredible community we're so fortunate to be part of. Emilia Amaro
Executive Director, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce | Build connections and grow your network at our next Business After 5! 📅 Thursday, November 19th | 5:00pm-7:00pm
📍 4080 John Charles Blvd, Vineland Join us at the Lincoln Pelham Public Library’s Rittenhouse Branch for an evening of connection! Our hosts will lead a tour of the branch and share plans for its upcoming expansion, giving us a closer look at what’s ahead for this important community space. Register Today Members register free | We're partnering with CKTB 610 NewsTalk Radio to give our members an opportunity to speak LIVE on the air! This is an amazing opportunity to connect with local media and have your message reach over 30,000 people in Niagara and the GTA. Book your spot while you can! 📅 Tuesday, December 1st
⏰ Timeslots available between 6:20am-9:00am
📍 Brick & Beam Coffee Co. Book Your Spot Today | It’s That Time of Year Again! 🎄✨ Our annual Mingle & Jingle is back on Wednesday, December 9, at Newark Brewing! Think Business After 5, with a holiday twist! Join us for an evening of networking and festive fun, including an optional Kris Kringle gift exchange. With over 100 attendees last year, it’s a great opportunity to make new connections and celebrate the season. 🎟️ Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available!
📅 Wednesday, December 9th | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
📍 Newark Brewing Co. Get Tickets | 🧭 The Canadian Chamber of Commerce's Business Data Lab has launched Trade Explorer. Trade Explorer is a new free tool designed to help Canadian businesses identify international markets where their products have strong potential to compete. Discover Trade Explorer | ℹ️ Niagara Thrives campaign launched to support local businesses and strengthen the local economy. Niagara Thrives directs local businesses to Tariff Resources and Support for Niagara Businesses, Niagara Region’s central online source for trade and tariff information. The resource helps businesses assess their options, determine next steps and connect with relevant government agencies and support organizations. Learn More | 🖥️ Adopt artificial intelligence, digital tools and smart equipment and get preferential-rate consulting and financing through BDC's LIFT program. Get preferential-rate consulting and financing to plan and implement digital, data, AI and cybersecurity solutions. Also access preferential-rate financing for digitally enabled equipment, robotics and automation—with optional consulting support if you need help strengthening your productivity plan. Learn More & Apply | 💼 The Government of Ontario has announced a $49 million investment over three years to strengthen its province-wide network of Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres (OSBAC), formerly known as Small Business Enterprise Centres. Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres offer entrepreneurs all the tools they need to start and grow their businesses. Find a Centre Near You | 📝 Apply for the Canada Summer Jobs 2027 Program This program provides employers with funding to create summer employment opportunities for youth. Eligible not-for-profit organizations may receive wage subsidies of up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum wage, while public and private sector employers may receive up to 50%. Apply by December 3, 2026. Learn More & Apply | Help develop a Vision for a vibrant downtown Vineland! The Town of Lincoln is inviting the surrounding community to take a public survey and provide more detailed information on how you would like the Vineland Central Business District (CBD) to evolve over the foreseeable future. The survey is a continuation to the feedback received from residents, property owners and businesses during the Vision Vineland public meetings and other forms of communication earlier this year. The survey will be open until November 8, 2026. Take the Survey | | Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities for southern Ontario organizations to become more productive, competitive and resilient. Through the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, FedDev Ontario is helping businesses and not-for-profits responsibly adopt AI and supporting Canadian AI companies as they bring new products and services to market and grow. Learn more about support available in southern Ontario | The Town of Lincoln's Tariff Response Team remains committed to supporting local businesses as they navigate the challenges associated with U.S. tariffs, shifting trade policies, and ongoing economic uncertainty. We recognize that these pressures can affect business operations, supply chains, cash flow, and long-term investment decisions. To help local businesses identify available support, the Tariff Response Team has compiled the following chart outlining current provincial and federal funding programs, financing opportunities, and business resources. Whether your business is experiencing financial pressures, exploring new markets, investing in technology, or looking to strengthen its workforce, these programs may provide valuable assistance. We encourage Lincoln businesses to review the available resources, explore their eligibility, and take advantage of opportunities that can help strengthen their competitiveness and resilience. The Town of Lincoln remains committed to working alongside our local business community to support continued growth, stability, and long-term economic success. | If Your Business Is Experiencing... | Government Support or Resource to Explore |
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| Cash-flow or working-capital pressures due to U.S. tariffs | Protect Ontario Financing Program (POFP) – Working-capital loans starting at $250,000 for eligible tariff-affected businesses.
BDC Pivot to Grow – Financing for working capital, equipment, and market diversification. | | Short-term liquidity pressures resulting from tariffs | Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Up to $2 million in non-repayable liquidity assistance for eligible Southern Ontario businesses. | | A need to improve productivity, automate or reduce costs | Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Supports productivity improvements, automation, equipment investments and business transformation. | | Market diversification, manufacturing expansion or supply-chain challenges | Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) – Supports investments in new markets, manufacturing capacity, competitiveness and domestic supply chains. | | Export-related financial risks or international market challenges | EDC Trade Impact Program – Financing, guarantees, working-capital solutions and trade credit insurance for eligible exporters and suppliers. | | Major capital investment, retooling or industrial transformation | Strategic Response Fund / Canada Strong Diversification Fund – Supports large-scale investments, industrial competitiveness and supply-chain resilience. | | Agriculture, agri-food or beverage businesses entering new markets | AgriMarketing – Market Diversification for SMEs – May cover up to 70% of eligible project costs to support domestic and international market development. | | Challenges retaining employees or avoiding layoffs | Federal Work-Sharing Program – Helps employers avoid layoffs by temporarily reducing working hours while EI provides income support. | | Employee training needs while participating in Work-Sharing | Worker Retention Grant – Training and retention support for qualifying employers with approved Work-Sharing agreements. | | Large-enterprise financial pressures caused by tariffs | Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility – Financing for qualifying large Canadian enterprises affected by tariffs and trade disruptions. | | Uncertainty about counter-tariffs on imported U.S. products | Canadian Counter-Tariff Product List – Information about products subject to Canadian counter-tariffs and applicable trade measures. | | Tariffs on essential goods that cannot reasonably be sourced elsewhere | Federal Tariff Remission Process – Businesses may request exceptional tariff relief where alternative sourcing is unavailable or significant economic hardship may result. |
Program information reviewed as of October 13, 2026. Funding and financing are subject to eligibility, application assessments and program availability. Businesses should review official program guidelines before applying. |
| Here is a great interview question: “Tell me about a time you overcame a workplace challenge. What did you do, and what was the outcome?” Their answer can reveal initiative, problem-solving and how they handle challenges. Need help finding the right talent? Connect with EHC! 905-309-9675 | info@employmenthelp.org | Deck the Bench | Saturday, December 5, 2026 Celebrate the season in Downtown Beamsville with holiday shopping, local vendors, visits with Santa, festive food and drinks, interactive workshops and live entertainment throughout the day.
Visit downtownbenchbeamsville.com for event details and updates. | Choose your Hyundai Bonus! Purchase an in-stock new vehicle from Grimsby Hyundai and receive 50% off eligible Winter Tire Packages, including Hyundai all-weather mats, or receive exclusive service rewards. Pick the reward that fits you best. Contact Grimsby Hyundai for details.
View New Offers | Thank you to our members who renewed this past month! We appreciate your continued support and commitment to the Lincoln business community. | ✨ Annual Platinum Sponsors ✨ | KIND WORDS FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP "Joining the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce has been a great decision for Wilder Adventure Rentals. Within a short time, a referral directly from the Chamber directory led to a booking that more than paid for our annual membership. Beyond the immediate return on investment, the Chamber’s resources have been helpful in establishing and growing our ebike rental business in the region. We highly recommend the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for any local business." — Myles Harding, Owner,
Wilder Adventure Rentals | 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 | | | | |
