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.

In this episode of the Chamber Connect Podcast, Colin sits down with Paul McInnis, President of Jokey North America, to explore how a global packaging company is making a big impact right here in Goderich. Paul shares how Jokey’s 24/7 injection molding operation employs 125 people locally, produces plastic packaging for markets across North America, and celebrates 20 years in the community.

The conversation covers Jokey’s innovative approaches to tackling labour shortages, including co-op programs, school tours, and training initiatives that help attract and retain local talent. Colin and Paul also discuss the challenges of navigating U.S. trade policy, including the uncertainty created by President Trump’s recent tariff increase, and how it affects long-term planning for manufacturing businesses.

The episode wraps up with a look at Jokey’s strong relationship with the Huron Chamber of Commerce, from event sponsorship to active participation in member networks. It’s a candid, insightful conversation about business, community, and staying resilient in a changing economy.

In this episode, Colin chats with Trish from Ladder HR Solutions about her 25-year journey in human resources and why she made the move to providing fractional HR support for small businesses. They explore the benefits of pay-as-you-go HR services, especially for rural employers in Huron County, from compliance and recruitment to payroll and training. The conversation covers strategies for navigating ever-changing employment regulations, retaining talent in rural areas, and the importance of proper HR processes. Colin and Trish also introduce the new Huron Chamber HR Peer Network, designed to connect HR staff for shared learning and support. Whether you’re a sole proprietor, a growing small business, or simply wearing the HR hat by default, this episode offers practical insights on outsourcing, workforce development, and building a stronger rural workforce.

In this episode of the Chamber Connect Podcast, Colin sits down with Kimberley Payne, executive director of the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital Foundation, to discuss the essential role the foundation plays in funding medical equipment and services at Goderich’s regional hospital. Kimberley explains how, contrary to common belief, government funding only covers hospital buildings and salaries, leaving critical equipment purchases—like beds, monitors, and even multimillion-dollar CT scanners—up to the foundation’s fundraising efforts. She shares how the foundation’s work ensures that our local hospital remains equipped to serve the community and highlights the importance of ongoing donor support.The conversation also covers recent and upcoming fundraising initiatives, including the successful Cowbell Open, the much-anticipated Long Table Dinner (now at the Goderich airport), and the launch of a $6.5 million MRI campaign. Kimberley shares how staff and local businesses can get involved through payroll deduction and matching programs, and she emphasizes the foundation’s commitment to building strong ties with the business community as a member of the Huron Chamber of Commerce. Whether you’re looking for ways to support local healthcare or curious about how these efforts shape our region’s future, this episode delivers a firsthand look at community-driven impact in action.

Chamber Connect Podcast: Spotlight on Royal LePage Heartland Realty with Jeff BauerJoin us for a new episode of the Chamber Connect Podcast as we sit down with Jeff Bauer, co-owner of Royal LePage Heartland Realty, to talk about the current landscape of real estate across Huron County and what makes our region unique.Jeff offers an inside look at the operations of Royal LePage Heartland Realty—one of Huron County’s leading brokerages with nearly 40 agents and a dedicated team supporting clients across the area. From residential sales to the day-to-day pulse of the Goderich office, Jeff shares how the brokerage has built its reputation and why community involvement matters. As a proud presenting sponsor of the Huron Chamber of Commerce’s Corporate Challenge and a new Cornerstone Sponsor, Royal LePage Heartland Realty is committed to supporting local business and Chamber initiatives. The conversation also covers what’s really happening in the local real estate market: after years as a seller’s market, Goderich and Huron County have shifted back to a more balanced environment. Jeff explains why, even with economic uncertainty and talk of tariffs, the market remains stable and attractive—especially for those seeking a great lifestyle outside the big cities. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on the local market, you’ll find practical insights and plenty of ways to connect with Jeff and his team—at Chamber events, online, or in person.

Jeff Bauer - Royal LePage Heartland Realty: Market insights suggest stability through 2025. Absent a surprise rate cut by the Bank of Canada, expect a continuation of current trends for the next 4-6 quarters. "Only time will tell" what follows.Find and subscribe to the Huron Chamber Connect Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts. New episodes every Friday morning.