The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-04-01, Page 12Page Al2 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Growth Goderich
the Growth Group. bers and BIAs; alternative energy, Mining,
In light of that success, and their change Transportation and Harbour; agriculture;
from repair to rebuild, the group is now and municipal.
known as Growth for Our Future, and will Crawford said that many of these groups
deal with a larger local area, in hopes of are already well organized, like manufac-
keeping all businesses connected. turing, which has the Huron Manufactur-
"Now, we have to start being proactive ing Association to help co-ordinate the ef-
instead of reactive," Judy Crawford of the forts of the group, however some industries
Goderich Chamber of Commerce said. need to become better organized, and more
Crawford said .the group has subdivided county -oriented, instead of town -oriented.
their efforts into eight different groups to "Retail [is an example of a group that
help address issues as they apply to dif- needs to organize]," she said. "If we have a
ferent industries. The eight groups are as business that wants to open up, we should
follows; tourism; manufacturing; retail, look at where it will do the most good; and
services (social, financial, support); Cham- where its most needed."
DasanY Soot*
signal -star staff
The Growth for Goderich committee is
foregoing its name and vision for a broader
goal.
The group, a collection of individuals
representing_different industries and inter-
ests for local businesses, has succeeded
as far as many members are concerned.
They have turned what could have been a
disastrous set of circumstances into some-
thing more manageable. The Volvo closure,
while still nothing to be happy about, is
something that may not cripple business in
the area thanks to the 'efforts of Volvo and
celebrate
remember
fight back
•
(v. 4
RELAY RELAIS
FonuFe ranuvE
Canadian !Delft*
CwnCer can*dienne
1 Society du cancel
RELAY FOR LIFE in Huron County (Goderich)
June 19 - 20, 2009
All are welcome to attend a
TEAM CAPTAINS' RALLY AND INFORMATION SESSION
Monday, April 6
7:00- 8:00 p.m.
Boston Pizza
490 Huron Road, Goderich
For more information or to register a team, visit cancer.ca/relay
call 1 800 294-0086
or
visit the Toronto Dominion Bank in Goderich
to pick up your Team Captains' kit
17
r
Bell
Event Sponsor
IC
ILICI:12111
Salmi 7414.1CiOr
Media Sponsors
45i4))
A celebration of survival, a tribute to the lives of
loved ones and a night of fun, friendship and
fundraising to beat cancer.
•
name, scope
One of the future endeavors that the
group will be undertaking to further its ef-
forts is to seek public input. Examples of
ideas included website surveys, round table
discussions, meetings at town halls, and
public components to current meetings.
Including public input, the group is also
looking at becoming more aware of their
surroundings.
"What it all comes down to is we've got
to be hungry, and jump on opportunities,"
Crawford said. "Groups like the Huron
Manufacturing Association need to now
what is available, space wise, so they can
provide that information."
Volvo's accolades were also discussed at
the meeting, as VP Jay Davis from Volvo
reported that through one half of a million
dollars, and openness to almost any occu-
pational switch, they have retrained 96 per
cent of their current workforce.
"Davis said he wouldn't stop until he hit
100 per cent, but we all agreed that 96 is
an incredible achievement," Crawford ex-
plained.
Future plans include a trade fair held
by the Chamber, in cooperation with the
Volvo Union and Volvo on April 16.
The fair, which will be held at Saltford
Hall, will feature Ross Daily as the key-
note speaker, and will offer opportunities
for Volvo employees to evaluate their fu-
ture.
Confirmations have already been re-
ceived from the Wingham and Kincardine
Chambers of Commerce.
Also ahead, the group is implement-
ing a previously discussed plan to hold a
seminar at the REACH facility in Clinton
to help facilitate communication between
their groups, potential new companies, and
employees. For more information about
this June 11 seminar, or the Job Fair, or the
group, contact the Chamber of Commerce
at (519) 440-0176.
Dance committee
takes local focus
signal -star staff
An event put on by women for women
and with women's health in mind - the
Women's Dance Committee did just that
at the Livery Friday night, with an eve-
ning of entertainment and dancing.
The event raises funds which the orga-
nization puts toward breast cancer and
according to Shelley- Dorey of the dance
committee, this year will see funds raised
distributed in a different way.
"Originally the money was going toward
three women, taking part in the Weekend
to End Breast Cancer walk put on by the
Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation,"
she said. "But we changed it: The money
is dispersed locally to women affected by
breast cancer."
This year, she said the funds raised by
the event will help six women in the com-
munity who face the challenges brought
on by breast cancer, and she said anyone
looking for more information about the
Women's Dance Committee and . future
events can email: womensdancecommit-
tee@hotmail.com.