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News, updates, and so much more…

 
The Downtown Welland BIA is implementing a new strategic plan. As stakeholders and members of the BIA, we want to hear from you! Click the button below to take a short survey to let us know how The Downtown Welland BIA can serve you and your business better!
Click Here to go to the Survey
 

Empowering businesses to be cyber resilient

In an era dominated by digital transactions, small businesses are not only prime targets for cyberattacks but also potential entry points for larger breaches. Did you know that a third of Canadian businesses engaged in eCommerce sales in 2021? If you’re among the 68% of businesses uncertain about your cybersecurity stance, now’s the time to bolster your defenses. We’re excited to introduce our complimentary on-demand cybersecurity course tailored for small to medium businesses (SMBs), proudly presented by Mastercard. Crafted with you in mind, this course offers:

  • Practical tactics to shield your business.
  • Effective strategies to train your employees against cyber threats.
  • Proven methods to safeguard your customer’s data.
This invaluable training is the result of a collaborative effort between the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA)Digital Main Street, and Mastercard.  Course Highlights:
  • Cybersecurity Fundamentals
  • Proactive Defense Techniques
  • Combatting Social Engineering
  • Effective Incident Response
Click here for a detailed video on how to access the course.  
Enroll today
 

Niagara College now offering R&D help to small- and medium-sized businesses

Niagara College’s Research & Innovation division is currently offering small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) a way to advance their product development, improve their performance or take an innovative leap forward, thanks to government funding from various sources, and service opportunities available with our Innovation Centres.

The College can help with innovation challenges related to technology adoption, in the sectors of:

  • advanced manufacturing
  • food and beverage
  • horticulture/greenhouse and environmental technologies
  • business & commercialization

In all cases, the intellectual property developed during the project belongs to the industry partner.

Click here to read more.

 

 

 

 

 

Media Release

Rob Axiak appointed City of Welland’s next CAO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 1, 2023

Welland, ON – Mayor Frank Campion and the City of Welland are pleased to announce Rob Axiak as the City’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective immediately. 

“As the City enters a critical period where each decision can have a lasting impact on its future, no one is better suited to take the helm than Rob,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “With his unparalleled professionalism, exceptional leadership skills, and extensive experience, he is the perfect guide to navigate the City through this exciting time. Rob has demonstrated tremendous leadership in the municipality over the past two years in his role as Director of Community Services, and I am confident he will rise to the occasion, delivering results that exceed even the highest expectations.”

Axiak, a Brock University graduate, with over 25 years of municipal experience in senior leadership roles in the GTAA and Niagara, has worked with the City for the past two-plus years as the director of community services, one of the city’s most extensive portfolios, encompassing recreation, sport, and culture, parks and forestry, and facilities. As a member of the Corporate Leadership Team, Axiak is well-versed in the administrative operations of the City and has proven an exceptional leader.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to be entrusted with the opportunity to serve as Welland’s next CAO, and I am grateful to Mayor Campion for placing his unwavering trust in me,” said Axiak. “I am eager to collaborate with Welland’s Corporate Leadership Team and a committed City Council as we accomplish our goals and aspirations outlined in our Strategic Plan. Together, we share a tenacious determination for municipal excellence, and I am eager to get started.”

Earlier this year, Axiak led the municipality in developing its most comprehensive strategic plan, one of the municipality’s most powerful and useful tools. The plan is a bold, innovative, and trailblazing commitment focusing on economic growth, environmental stewardship, health and well-being, and livability, and will be the focus of Axiak’s administrative direction. 

Appointing a CAO is Mayor Campion’s first use of the Strong Mayor Powers, permitted under section 284.5 of the Municipal Act, 2001. 

More information about Strong Mayor Powers can be found at www.welland.ca/council/strongmayorpowers.asp

For media inquiries, please contact:

Marc MacDonald

Corporate Communications Manager

905-735-1700 x2337

znep.znpqbanyq@jryynaq.pn   

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums will remain steady in 2024

The Ontario government announced today that the average premium rate businesses pay to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) will remain steady in 2024. At a time when businesses are combatting rising costs of inflation, the government said in a statement, the stability will keep rates at a decades-long low, helping create new jobs and allowing for bigger paycheques for workers.

n the last year, the WSIB provided a 6.5 per cent cost of living increase to people receiving income replacement benefits and is also extending incentives for smaller businesses enrolled in its Health and Safety Excellence program through to December 31, 2024. Small businesses can now benefit from double rebates for every topic completed in the program, plus an additional $1,000 towards implementing a health and safety program.

Click here to read more.

Gas and fuel tax cuts extended to end of June, 2024

The Ontario government today announced its intent to introduce legislation through its upcoming 2023 Fall Economic Statement that would, if passed, extend the gasoline and fuel tax rate cuts to June 30, 2024, saving households $260 on average since the tax cuts were first introduced.

Since July 1, 2022, Ontario has lowered the gasoline tax by 5.7 cents per litre and the fuel tax by 5.3 cents per litre. The government is proposing to extend the rate cuts so the tax rate on gasoline and fuel (diesel) would continue to remain at 9 cents per litre until June 30, 2024.

Click here to read more.

Save The Date 
Regards,

Alexis Higginbotham
Executive Director
WDBIA 
60 East Main Street
Welland, ON
L3B 3X4
905.736.2884
downtownwelland.ca 
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Welland, Ontario L3B 3X4

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