Who We Are

The Madoc & District Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization directed by a group of volunteer business members. We represent the business community and provide representation for the issues effecting the business and social climate of our community.

Your Chamber of Commerce has an operating office to provide a focal point for event and business information. We also provide a recognized business entity, able to lobby governments at the Municipal, Provincial and Federal levels on behalf of members. An active membership will provide networking opportunities and enhance the social well being of the community. A vibrant community will provide a comfortable environment for local citizens and attract tourists, visitors, new businesses and customers.

Your annual membership fee of $50.00 registers you as an active member of your local Chamber of Commerce affiliated with the Canada Chamber of Commerce and provides access to Group Insurance plans, Merchant Credit Card discounts (VISA 1.75%, Master Card 1.89%), and Fleet Fuel Oil discounts (2.5 cents/liter). As an active member you are supporting activities promoting and improving trade and commerce, and the economic, civic and social welfare of the district.

We are dedicated to making Madoc and surrounding area the place where things do happen.

President: John McDonnell
VP: Rob Price
Secretary: Dianne Ramroop
Treasurer: Judy Smith
Director: Ellen Wilson
Director: Richard Peck
Director: Connie Robinson
Coordinator: Jim Bakker

Direct any inquiries to Jim Bakker 613-473-1616 or Rob Price at 613-473-2131.

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Madoc and District
Chamber of Commerce

The Year in Review 2006

The Madoc and District Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization directed by a group of volunteer business members. We provide representation for the issues affecting the business and social climate of our community. Our primary area of operation is made up of the municipalities around the Village of Madoc, the Municipalities of Centre Hastings and Madoc Township. Membership is open to anyone, interested in trade, commerce or the economic and social welfare of the District. The membership has grown to 99 paid members. This has enabled your Chamber of Commerce to be involved in a considerable number of business and community related activities over the last year.

At the March annual meeting Rob Price was confirmed as President, Tressa Kirby as Vice President. Ellen Wilson agreed to stay on as Secretary and Judy Smith as Treasurer.

Your Chamber works closely with your municipal council. Some results of this partnership are: the improvements in parking facilities at the Deer Creek lot and opening of the lot on the old Tim-Br Mart property, signage in the new year at highways 7 & 62 directing travelers to “Madoc Skate park and Village Shops”, approval for signage “wings” on the Welcome to Madoc signs to hold signage for the local service organizations. Economic Development continues to be a priority. One important effort was the development and implementation of a Marketing plan for the village.

The Village Square is a natural focal point for the down town area of the village. Your Chamber has been actively involved in supporting organizations and activities in the square. We were able to purchase a sound system for use by the Madoc Village Market Vendors Association in support of their Saturday market events. In addition we supplied a portable sink system to allow food to be provided in compliance with new Health Board regulations. This office was able to coordinate advertising programs to promote the various events held during the year.

Madoc’s representation on the ComfortCountry executive presently comes from your Chamber of Commerce committee. We were extensively involved in all ComfortCountry initiatives including production of the ComfortCountry at a Glance issue. Copies were distributed to each residence through out the area and along the major transportation corridors. Another popular item supported by this group was the production and distribution of a Rural Routes map of the ComfortCountry area featuring the street maps of the villages of Madoc, Tweed, Marmora, and Stirling.

Your Chamber is well represented on the Mainstreet Revitalization executive. Such things as the increase in benches, flower beds, and waste and recycle containers are visible results of the work of this committee. A number of your committee members supported and attended the recent Mainstreet Summit held in Marmora. This workshop/seminar event was well received attracting delegates and municipal council members from across Ontario.

With the financial support of CFDC, the work of cataloguing the economic resources of the area and loading it into the www.2Ontario.com website was completed. This data is available to people involved in economic development activities and potential investors worldwide. We continue to update this information as well as keeping the ComfortCountry Business Directory current. A number of authors/editors have consulted with your Chamber office to research articles for publication (EG. Fifty-Five Plus). We are working to promote and raise the profile of this area.

We hosted a number of successful workshops/seminars/networking meetings:

* Tax Management for Small Businesses - January 26, 2006
* Effective Meeting Workshop (Art Council participation)
* How to Turn Community Events into Business Sales - June 22, 2006
* Governance or How To Be a More Effective Leader in Your Organization and Your Community - September 26, 2006

As a direct result of the efforts of your Chamber executive, we now have professional Welcome Wagon representatives operating in the area. This project has been well received by local businesses and newcomers alike.

Another important development has been the establishment of a local community radio facility in the area. Partnering with CKOL FM 93.7 out of Campbellford, the Centre Hastings Municipal council, CFDC and your Chamber of Commerce we now have a local radio broadcast at 100.7 FM. The studio is presently located above Wilson’s of Madoc with the transmission antenna on the Madoc water tower. The studio is staffed and programming developed by local volunteers. A community radio station provides affordable advertising opportunities to many of the smaller local businesses and improves communications within the local communities. The critical local business and commercial support is growing.

This year’s Santa Claus parade was reported to be the biggest and best in memory. It was estimated that over 50 floats paraded and more than 130 children were able to have a personal visit with Santa Claus.

As the pace of business continues to accelerate we’ve continued to make changes in equipment in the office. The computer system has been replaced with current hardware and software. We have met many visitors seeking local information on services and businesses outside of the normal Information Centre hours. We have also made good use of the ComfortCountry Business Directory and the 2ontario.com website in responding to numerous telephone and e-mail requests for information.

As you can see we’ve had a very active year.

With your continuing support, 2007 is looking to be even more challenging and productive.

Jim Bakker
Madoc and District Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 669
20 Davidson St.
Madoc, Ontario K0K 2K0
(613) 473-1616
cocmadoc@bellnet.ca

Individual / Small Business Owner

Direct

•  Access to Group Insurance plans
•  Preferred / Merchant discount programs through TD Banking
•  Esso Fleet gasoline discount program (2.5 cents / litre)

Indirect

•  A forum / focal point to bring ideas, concerns, issues relating to local business interests.
•  Access to a community of peers to exchange ideas and support
•  A recognized entity that tourists and visitors approach for information.

Business Community

•  A forum to provide a collective voice to all levels of government
•  A focal point for the promotion of the economic and business interests of the community.

Community

•  Access to umbrella insurance coverage for COC associated events
•  Credible and significant support for funding requests to outside organizations and agencies
•  Focal point to coordinate local events to promote synergies and prevent conflicts.
•  Assistance to event organizers for “where to go”, “who to talk to”, and “how to get the word out” advice.

External Communities

Organizations/Agencies/Government Bodies

•  A central point of contact for communicating with the local business community

Individuals

•  A focal point for information on the local businesses and tourist related services