Positively Portage

"Pride in Portage, Pride in our People"

The Portage & District Chamber of Commerce shared the exciting details of a major community initiative – “Positively Portage – Pride in Portage, Pride in our People” at a public meeting at the William Glesby Centre, Monday September 27^th, 2010.

This Chamber initiative was launched in partnership with the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC) and has a number of broad components that span our community.  It includes a very important community engagement component that compliments and augments the work of PCRC.

At this point over 20 very community minded, passionate individuals have stepped forward to participate on one of the 5 working sub-committees.   It is expected the number of people actively involved with Positively Portage will increase significantly as the initiative progresses.

Mandate:  To be the champion in the coordinating and facilitating of projects and activities based on recommendations in the FICE report that will result in an improved perception of Portage being a community where citizens, businesses, and local governments work together to create alliances and share ideas to make our community a better place in which to live, work and shop.

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Beautification Initiative

Portage la Prairie & Area Beautification Committee Inc. (PABI)

In 2002, the Portage la Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce was approached by a general member to support an initiative to beautify the City and its entrances. This resulted in creation of the Portage & Area Beautification Initiative , which is made up of a board of 10 members, three appointed by the RM of Portage la Prairie, three appointed by the City of Portage la Prairie and four appointed by the Chamber. These three entities banded together to provide a vision for the upgrading of various locations within the City and RM of Portage la Prairie.

From the August 2002 strategic plan prepared by PABI members:

The Portage & Area Beautification Committee was developed as a result of the City of Portage la Prairie, the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie, and the Portage and District Chamber of Commerce’s belief that we need to commence the process of making our community more aesthetically attractive to ourselves and others since this can play a significant role in increasing community pride and acting as a stimulus for increased economic and tourism development opportunities.

PABI's initial focus was the entrances to our City and the committee accomplished exactly what they set out to do – they beautified the City and area. The entrances to Portage la Prairie have been cleaned up, flowers were planted in the downtown area, many trees now line our entrances and the parks look fresh and clean. The beautiful new signage at the east and west sides of Portage along the TransCanada are also results of this committee's work.

The Chamber is pleased to continue this good work through the administration of sponsorship of the Mile of Flowers located on Saskatchewan Avenue and throughout the downtown area.

We are pleased to support this initiative and applaud PABI's achievements to date.

Mile of Flowers

In 2005 the Portage and Area Beautification Committee announced an initiative to enhance the appearance of Portage la Prairie’s downtown with the “Mile of Flowers”, radiating from City Hall westward to 8th St. W, and eastward to 10th St. E.

This joint project will include the participation of the City of Portage la Prairie, the Beautification Committee, and the local businesses along the impressive and welcoming “Mile of Flowers”. The Beautification Committee has paid for the initial capital cost of the meridian planters, and hanging baskets, the City will continue to plant and maintain the flower baskets, and the downtown businesses along with the Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce would participate in the cost of the flowers. This initiative promises to unify all groups and show our community is working together to make Portage la Prairie a more beautiful and pride-filled community. The Portage Chamber of Commerce is a proud supporter of this initiative.

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Welcome Committee

Chamber Membership Information Package: given to new businesses and potential Chamber members, the information package provides information on the direct and indirect benefits of Chamber membership, and how to apply to become a Chamber member.

Chamber Business Surveys: these surveys identify the ways in which the Chamber could better meet the needs of local businesses.

Training Seminars: these seminars are offered throughout the year to allow businesses to take advantage of training opportunities and information sessions that are valuable to their staff and organization. Seminars are offered based on “hot topics” and current needs and issues affecting local businesses.

Welcoming New Businesses to Portage la Prairie: The Committee provides new businesses with information about the City of Portage la Prairie, as well as information on the benefits of joining the Chamber.

Face-to-Face Invitations: Committee members meet with local business owners face-to-face to invite them to become Chamber members and to inform them about the benefits of Chamber membership.

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Communication Committee

Milestone Recognition Program: With this program Chamber Members are recognized for every five years of membership with either a certificate or plaque awarded at the Quarterly Luncheons.

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Manitoba Chambers Resolutions

Like many other Chambers of Commerce, the Portage and District Chamber of Commerce has many goals and initiatives throughout the year. The Chamber is the voice of the business community in Portage la Prairie. One of the Chamber's most important roles is advocating for our members, and looking out for their interests.

The Chamber not only addresses the local issues that our members are faced with but also addresses issues at the provincial and federal levels.

2009 AGM Accepted Resolution:
Preamble: The Provincial Unemployment rate sat at 4.9% as of January 2009. This is higher than it was a year ago (3.8%) but there are still 5,000 more jobs in the province than there were a year ago. That is because the total workforce increased by 8,800 people.

Provincial employers are still struggling to find employees to fill vacancies.

Initiatives are being undertaken by the provincial government, municipalities and private industry to emigrate workers from foreign countries to fill these positions.

A challenge that faces these groups is a lack of affordable housing for these immigrants once they come to Manitoba. Part of the Provincial Nominee Program requires that perspective immigrants have Sufficient Settlement Supports.

The lack of affordable housing in the smaller and rural areas makes this more of a challenge.

Resolution: That the Government of Manitoba over the next 12 months in consultation with key stakeholders:

a) identify the extent of the need for entry level housing in Manitoba and

b) develop and implement a strategy to meet that need.

http://www.mbchamber.mb.ca/2009/04/2009-2010-proposed-resolution-lack-of-affordable-housing/

For more information on The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Resolutions, please go to the links section of our website to visit: http://www.mbchamber.mb.ca/.