The Greater Peterborough Chamber actively promotes the development of a vibrant local economy by supporting and participating in numerous projects and initiatives.
The Innovation Cluster:
The Chamber of Commerce is a sponsor and the Chamber General Manager sits on the Innovation Cluster Board of Directors.
Kawartha Choice:
The Kawartha Choice “Brand” is used to help identify locally produced food products. The Chamber continues to support the initiative in a variety of ways including committee representation and marketing support.
The Peterborough Business Excellence Awards:
An evening designed to profile 52 businesses in 18 categories, including the annual Business Citizen of the Year, has become the highlight of our year. Each year 18 recipients are announced in categories ranging from Entrepreneur of the Year, to Marketing, to Customer Service, to Supply Chain, to the Employer of the Year.
Farm Family of the Year:
In the fall, we also recognize the Farm Family of the Year for their exemplary contributions to the County agri-industry.
Scholarships and Bursaries:
Through our Bursary Program for Co-Operative Education, secondary school students who demonstrate outstanding effort in Co-Operative Education throughout the Greater Peterborough Area are awarded bursaries sponsored by the Chamber. Through our Business Excellence Awards, we also award a scholarship for a student in the business program at both Fleming College and Trent University.
The Prosperity Round Table:
This initiative is designed to support and develop the key growth drivers in the region. We support this initiative through financial contributions, meeting facilities and committee representation.
The Workplace Integration Centre
Funded by Global Experience @ Work, IC is an initiative of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, with support and funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Global Experience @ Work is designed to better integrate foreign trained professionals into the labour force by facilitating a bridge between workers and potential employers.
Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition
Organized by the Workforce Development Board, this competition encourages entrepreneurship and small business development in the cities of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and counties of Northumberland, Peterborough and Haliburton. The winner receives a prize package valued at over $20,000 in cash, business products and services. We support this initiative through sponsorship. We als provide a 1-year Chamber membership to the local winner.
Pandemic Planning Committee
Organized by the Peterborough County-City Health Unit, this committee develops pandemic plans for organizations, workplaces, and the public. We support this initiative through committee representation.
Canadian Youth Business Foundation
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national charity providing pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring to help youth (age 18-34) start their own successful business. Peterborough Community Futures Development Corporation is the official community partner for the CYBF Program. We support this initiative through representation on the CYBF Loan Review Committee.