In this episode, Colin Carmichael welcomes Paul Nichol, General Manager of Community Futures Huron, for a wide-ranging conversation about business support in Huron County. Paul highlights the organization’s 30-year history, its role in lending and advising entrepreneurs, and its strong partnership with the Huron Chamber. Unlike traditional banks, Community Futures prioritizes character, local knowledge, and community connection when lending, often supporting startups, tourism, and innovation projects. The discussion explores challenges of economic uncertainty, succession planning, and the resilience of local businesses. Paul emphasizes free counseling services and the importance of careful planning for long-term success.

In this episode of the Chamber Connect Podcast, Colin sits down with Karen Hastie, founder of the ChamberPerksApp, to explore how technology is transforming the way chambers of commerce, local businesses, and communities connect. Born out of the pandemic, ChamberPerks has quickly grown into a coast-to-coast platform with more than 20,000 businesses offering savings and promotions through their local chambers.Karen explains how the app works: while only chamber-member businesses can feature perks, the app itself is free for anyone worldwide to download. With over 2,000 Canadian-wide perks, users save money while supporting local enterprises. She outlines the flexibility of the system, which allows businesses to tailor perks for the general public, for all chamber members, or for employees only—making it a powerful engagement tool. Colin highlights how this often-overlooked employee benefit can strengthen ties between staff and their chamber.The conversation dives into features like the “My Chamber” tab, where members can access newsletters, events, and updates, and the app’s smart notifications, which remind users of local businesses and even alert them when they’re near a participating location. Karen shares success stories of businesses attracting new customers and increasing awareness, while Colin emphasizes that the app is included with membership, making it an immediate value-add for local business owners.Looking ahead, Colin and Karen discuss the growth strategy for Chamber Perks, including profile enhancements, cost-effective advertising options, and the broader opportunity to connect technology, commerce, and community in meaningful ways.

In this episode of the Chamber Connect Podcast, Colin speaks with Rob Evans, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Huron County, about the organization’s expanded approach to tackling the local housing crisis. Marking its 20th anniversary, Habitat Huron County is moving beyond single-family homes to include duplexes, triplexes, and multi-residential projects. Rob explains how housing costs in Huron County have surged 48% in recent years, far outpacing income growth, and why diverse, affordable housing options are urgently needed.

Rob shares plans to partner with developers and municipalities to accelerate construction, using Habitat’s nonprofit model to leverage building capacity and government support to help more families achieve home ownership. He also highlights the critical role of Habitat’s ReStores in Goderich and Wingham, which turn donated goods into funds for building projects, staff, and volunteer programs.

The conversation also covers upcoming milestones, including an August key ceremony for a completed home, a fall anniversary celebration with a renewed operating model, and new opportunities for community members—especially Chamber members—to join Habitat’s board or committees. Colin underscores the value of nonprofit members within the Chamber, noting their unique challenges and shared commitment to strengthening Huron County communities through accessible housing.