BUSINESS
MARCH/APRIL 2020| VOLUME 59 | No.3-4
BRIEFS
30th Annual
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINDSOR-ESSEX REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
presented by Windsor Star
Pillars of Our Community Finalists From left to right: CMHA (Kim Willis), Fight Like Mason (Iain Macri, Chantelle Bacon) Family Services Windsor-Essex (Judy Lund), CMHA (Claudia Den Boer)
WINDSOR-ESSEX REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - Recognized Champion Of A Thriving Business Community Built On Innovation And Partnerships
BUSINESS
BRIEFS March/April 2020 Volume 59 | No.3-4
STAFF Rakesh Naidu President & CEO rnaidu@windsoressexchamber.org X222
Wendy Bretz Executive Assistant & Communications Coordinator wbretz@windsoressexchamber.org X228
Keith Chinnery Director of Membership Services kchinnery@windsoressexchamber.org X223
CONTENTS Greeting from the President and Chair
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Advocacy Update
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Automobility Membership Program
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Events
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Spotlight On Our Members
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New Members
Caitlin Hildenbrand Membership Coordinator childenbrand@windsoressexchamber.org X230
Barbara Malmberg Director of Events bmalmberg@windsoressexchamber.org X231
John Newland Sales and Project Manager jnewland@windsoressexchamber.org X229
“The key connector and advocate for the long-term business success of our members. "
Marina Poljak Event Coordinator mpoljak@windsoressexchamber.org X221
Kathleen Westlake
Paid advertisements appearing in the Business Briefs magazine may not reflect the opinions of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. Cover photo credit - Nick Brancaccio.
| Business Briefs - March/April 2020
Accounting and Finance Administrator kwestlake@windsoressexchamber.org X227
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WINDSOR-ESSEX REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2575 Ouellette Place Windsor, ON N8X 1L9 Tel: 519-966-3696 | Fax: 519-966-0603 info@windsoressexchamber.org www.windsoressexchamber.org
Advertising Sales - info@windsoressexchamber.org The WERCC may choose to generate revenue from many discount programs and services being provided. Twitter @WERCofC
Instagram @windsoressexchamber
Greeting from the President & CEO and Chair Greetings Chamber Members and Friends, The start of the year has been a busy one with visits from various government officials. We were pleased to welcome Premier Doug Ford, Minister Monte McNaughton, Minister Vic Fideli, and Minister Filomena Tassi to the Chamber in recent weeks. Chamber members were given the opportunity to ask questions and present their concerns directly to the people able to take steps to address the issues.
Rakesh Naidu
In February, the WERCC submitted a policy resolution to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to support entrepreneurial international students. This resolution is widely supported by chambers of commerce across the province as well as key Windsor-Essex individuals and institutions. In April, I will be traveling to Timmins to defend this resolution at the OCC Annual General Meeting.
President & CEO
The Chamber announced the new Automobility Membership Program in February. This program provides grant funding through FedDev Ontario in conjunction with the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation to help support the region in diversifying from traditional auto manufacturing to next-generation mobility innovation. See details on page 5. The Chamber will also have two more exciting partnership announcements in the next few weeks. These partnerships will include a technology assessment initiative and a trade accelerator program. Stay tuned! I want to congratulate each finalist for the 30th Annual Business Excellence Awards. Join us May 21st, 2020 as we celebrate business excellence in Windsor-Essex.
Jason Ilijanic Chair
2019-2020 Ms. Beverly Becker Director
Ms. Lee Anne Doyle Director / Non-Voting
National Director, Local Marketing Windsor Star
Mr. Scott Jenkins Vice Chair**
Chair – ATHENA Committee 1999 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient
Director of Advertising Caesars Windsor
Ms. Marie Campagna Vice Chair** Executive Vice President Operations / CFO Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
Mr. Joshua Cheifetz Director Emerging Leaders Representative Partner Strosberg Sasso Sutts LLP
Ms. Allison Hawkins Director CPA-CA Hawkins & Co. Accounting
Mr. Jason Ilijanic Chair** Director, Commercial Services WFCU Credit Union
Mr. Jeffrey MacKinnon Past Chair** Partner McTague Law Firm LLP
Ms. Maureen Lucas Treasurer** Entrepreneur in Residence EpiCentre, University of Windsor
Ms. Mila Lucio Chair Elect** EVP Human Resources and Social Impact Green Shield Canada
Dr. Alfie Morgan Director Emeritus Non-Voting Professor Emeritus of Business Administration University of Windsor
Mr. Gordon Orr Director CEO Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island
**denotes member of Executive Committee
| Business Briefs - March/April 2020
Gold Circle
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Advocacy Update Investing in Ontario's International Undergraduate Student Entrepreneurs Ontario attracts an increasing number of international students each year. These students have an incredible impact on the local economy. The Ontario Government can support international undergraduate student entrepreneurs by creating a nominee program to provide a more expedient pathway to permanent residency. Both Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan have implemented such pathways in recent years.
| Business Briefs - March/April 2020
BACKGROUND International student enrollment in Canada is on the rise. Since 2014, there has been a 73 per cent increase in enrolments bringing the 2018 total to 572,000. The total number of postsecondary international students in Canada as of December 31, 2018 was 435,415, a 17 per cent jump over 2017 (370,975). In 2017, Ontario hosted 48 per cent of the nation's international students. The positive impact of international students to the economy is remarkable. Approximately 170,000 jobs were created nationally as a result of international student spending in 2017. International students contributed $21.6 billion to the Canadian economy in 2018 with international student tuition surpassing government grants as a revenue source for many colleges and universities across the province. Some of these students come from entrepreneurial families who wish to expand their family business into Canada. Others may have the desire to purchase established businesses which would address the nation's growing business succession issue. Currently, international students must find an eligible work position before applying for permanent residence status. This puts their entrepreneurial ambitions on hold. If they could commence their business plans after graduation, they would become not an employee, but an employer, boosting the local economy even further. Needing to find employment often means these students move to larger city centers. When eligible, the majority will choose to start their new business in the city of their employment – not the city where they completed their studies leading to a huge economic loss for the smaller cities of Ontario. Ontario does currently have an Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) in place but most international students will not meet the requirements of this program.
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UPCOMING EVENTS Warden’s Lunch presented by Libro Credit Union Ciociaro Club Wednesday, March 25, 2020 11:30 am – 1:30 pm April AB Regional Trade Show Roseland Golf & Curling Club Thursday, April 30, 2020 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm TMT Predictions Breakfast presented by Deloitte Tuesday, May 12, 2020 7:30 am - 9:30 am 30th Annual Business Excellence Awards presented by Windsor Star Chrysler Theatre & St. Clair College Centre for the Arts Thursday, May 21, 2020 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm 84th Annual Golf Tournament Pointe West Golf Course Monday, June 1, 2020 9:30 am – 6:30 pm Upcoming Events – visit www.windsoressexchamber.org for details on upcoming and new events
RECOMMENDATIONS The Ontario Chamber of Commerce urges the Government of Ontario to: 1. Emulate Nova Scotia's International Graduate Entrepreneur program that allows the Government of Ontario to nominate International students to start and operate their own company in Ontario and meet the eligibility requirements to apply for Permanent Residency. SUBMITTED BY: Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Co-Sponsored By: Leamington Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce Supported By: Dr. Francine Schlosser – Odette Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Odette School of Business, University of Windsor, Stephen MacKenzie – Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation, Michelle Suchiu – Workforce Windsor Essex *For resources and statistics cited in this article please visit https://www.windsoressexchamber.org/policy-advocacy/
Chamber News Limited number of fully funded Chamber Memberships available! With more than a century of automotive manufacturing expertise, Windsor-Essex has earned the title of “Automotive Capital of Canada” The automotive sector is evolving and changing at an incredible pace. The “Automobility Membership Program” will help our region diversify from traditional auto manufacturing to next-generation mobility innovation by offering fully funded one-year Memberships with the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. Self-driving technologies, light-weight materials, connected and autonomous vehicles, electrification, artificial intelligence, cyber security and smart traffic equipment are technologies that are driving the auto industry into the future. As a resilient and industrious community, Windsor-Essex is embracing transformation and innovation to remain competitive in this rapidly changing global marketplace. Last September, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) announced a $5 million, three-year investment to the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation (WE EDC) to support our region in transitioning from traditional automotive manufacturing to transformative automotive technologies. To help achieve this, local organizations across Windsor-Essex are partnering to develop a coordinated approach to grow and sustain the region's automobility cluster. Led by WE EDC, funding will support four key objectives: a) advance automobility technologies b) promote a vibrant innovation and competitive entrepreneurial network c) expand the Windsor-Essex Automobility Innovation Cluster d) conduct global outreach and nearshoring Program Details Overall, this project is expected to support 165 companies, establish 20 new partnerships, and create and maintain 665 jobs, while strengthening the region's competitiveness. The overall goal is to attract an estimated $9 million in foreign direct investment, as well as help businesses integrate into global markets. The Automobility Membership Program is one of the initiatives being funded to promote an entrepreneurial network by offering fully funded Memberships with the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. If you're a company or organization whose products and services are related to the automobility innovation cluster, you are immediately eligible to join! Automobility Membership Program benefits include access to Chamber Member savings programs and discounts, business advocacy at local, provincial and federal levels, a Member spotlight in the new Automobility Section of our newsletter and website, invitations to exclusive Automobility events, a fully funded one year Membership with the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce and a lot more!
While reflecting on the rich automotive heritage in this region, Windsor-Essex knows that diversification is key to resilience, and a collaborative effort is needed to realize its full economic potential. By promoting a vibrant ecosystem and embracing automation, smart technologies and innovation, WE EDC aims to make Windsor-Essex a leader in transformative automotive technologies and undergo a global re-brand, becoming the “Automobility Capital of Canada” Contact Information For more information on the Automobility Membership Program, visit www.windsoressexchamber.org or contact the Chamber's Director of Membership Services, Keith Chinnery, at 519-966-3696 x223. The Automobility Membership Program is just one of the Chamber's many exciting initiatives. Other projects are focused on Technology Assessment in order to help companies become Export Ready. (with files from Susan Anzolin, Institute for Border Logistics and Security)
| Business Briefs - March/April 2020
The Automobility Membership Program is endorsed by Shelley Fellows, Chair of Automate Canada, and Scott Fairley, CEO of Optimotive Technologies, the program's first Member.
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Events
PAST BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENTS WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 2011 - 2015
JemD Farms (Red Sun Farms) - Award: International Business 2013 · The largest fully integrated high-tech greenhouse company in North America to own and operate farms in Canada, Mexico and the United States. · Red Sun Farms has been recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for four consecutive years. · At Red Sun Farms, they maintain close relationships with Feeding America and Forgotten Harvest Canada. Through these two amazing organizations, they distribute and donate greenhouse produce to the less fortunate. Windsor Cardiac Centre - Award: Product/Innovation 2013 · Canada's First & Highest-Ranking Accredited Outpatient Cardiac Facility. · The first outpatient Clinic in Canada to be granted the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for Echocardiography. · Provides timely, comprehensive, competent, cost-effective cardiac care through cardiovascular risk management, prevention & patient education. · Windsor Cardiac Centre has partnered with the Canadian Cardiac Care and the Essex Region Conservation Foundation on a Healthy Heart initiative to get our community moving towards better health. They promote active lifestyles in natural areas around Essex County. Piskey's Mobile Auto Wash & Detailing - Award: New Company of the Year 2014 · Piskey's Mobile Auto Wash & Detailing services all makes and models of cars, valuable collector vehicles, dealership fleets, and even private planes. · Authorized installer for two of the top-rated ceramic coating companies globally: Optimum Polymer Technologies (Opti Coat Pro) & CarPro (C. Quartz Professional & C. Quartz Reserve). · Piskey's Mobile Auto Wash & Detailing offers paint corrections, paint protection film, window tint, WeatherTech products, and professional grade ceramic coatings. · In 2018 Luke joined a team of skilled craftsmen to work on a historically significant aircraft in Arizona.
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Barry & Stephanie Zekelman - Award: Believe Windsor Essex 2015 • Barry and Stephanie Zekelman are committed to enhancing Windsor Essex through their philanthropic donations including their 2018 donation to St. Clair College's Zekelman School of Business & Information Technology. • Stephanie's dedication to helping others in our community and globally is demonstrated with the development of the Barry and Stephanie Zekelman Foundation. • Barry has devoted his career to the development of Zekelman Industries, the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America which employs thousands enhancing economic growth.
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Events
2020 BEA News Conference & Reception Sponsored by Media Street Productions
Congratulations to the 30th Annual Business Excellence Award Finalists!
Green Innovation sponsored by University of Windsor & U of W Alumni Relations & Advancement
Large Company of the Year sponsored by St. Clair College of Applied Arts & Technology
Green Tree Professional Tree Service GreenerBins Composting Company Devonshire Mall
Champion Products Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Reliance Home Comfort
Mid-Size Company of the Year sponsored by RBC Royal Bank
New Company of the Year sponsored by Enbridge
Brookstone Windows & Doors Essex Powerlines Corporation Brave Control Solutions Inc.
Float Lakeshore Sandwich Brewing Company Plant Joy
Pillars of Our Community sponsored by Motor City Community Credit Union,
Professional of the Year sponsored by TD Commercial Banking
Small Company of the Year sponsored by Families First
Tourism and Hospitality sponsored by Caesars Windsor & OLG
Gail Robertson, GailNow Jonathon Azzopardi, Laval Tool & Mould Janice Kaffer, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare
Colasanti Controls Shoppers Drug Mart Devonshire Mall Cooper's Hawk Vineyards
J.P. Wisers Distillery Experience North 42 Degrees Estate Winery Walkerville Brewery
Young Professional of the Year sponsored by Libro Credit Union
ATHENA Leadership Award sponsored by Bell
Believe Windsor-Essex Award sponsored by WFCU Credit Union
Kavaughn Boismier, Boismier Wealth Advisory of RBC Dominion Securities Group Ryan Donally, WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation Dr. Maxwell Abraham, Abraham Orthodontics
Marlene Corey, Producer/Director, YourTV Windsor
Romeo Girardi Walter Pizzolitto
Charlie Hotham, Hotham Building Materials Nancy Campana, Nouveau Event Planning Michael Difazio, Michael Difazio Reclaim Artistry
CMHA Windsor-Essex County Branch Fight Like Mason Foundation Family Services Windsor-Essex
Photos by Rebecca Lefebvre
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Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Grant Thornton LLP
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Events
DECEMBER AFTER BUSINESS
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Full-Time Post-Secondary Students Between the Ages of 18 & 30
WINDSOR-ESSEX REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
presented by Windsor Star
Thank You!
21ST
To Our BEA Judges for your time and commitment. Thursday, April 30, 2020
Frank Abbruzzese Lee Anne Doyle Sue Kipping Paul Mailloux Elizabeth Macovei Ozzie Maltese Chris Mingay Hayley Morgan Ian Murphy Connor Paterson Wen Teoh Lynn Watts
Application @ www.windsoressexchamber.org Submission Deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2020 4:00 pm
Gold Circle round table with Premier Doug Ford
| Business Briefs - March/April 2020
Thank You Event Sponsors!
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SPOTLIGHT On Our Members Easter Seals 38th Annual Telethon is taking place March 29, 2020 from 10am to 4pm. It will be broadcast by CTV & streamed on
WEDigital. Congratulations to Kniaziew Optometry on its new location in Historic Downtown Chatham.
Motor City is proud to celebrate 80 years in your Windsor-Essex community!
Congratulations to AlphaKor th on its 25 Anniversary! Congratulations to Green Shield Canada on being named one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures™. th
Happy 30 Anniversary to Douglas Marketing Group!
Congratulations to our Members who made Forbes ‘Canada's Best Employers' #47 – Canadian Mental Health Association #49 – RBC #64 – Greater Essex County District School Board #69 – Canadian Blood Services #97 – The Keg Steakhouse #151 – American Express #153 – Ford Motor Company #158 – BDC Business Development Bank of Canada #163 – Grant Thornton #178 – BMO #187 – TD Bank #191 – Deloitte #206 – Pet Valu #210 – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles #216 – Sun Life Financial #226 – Pricewaterhouse Coopers #229 – KPMG #237 – Arcelor Mittal Dofasco #248 – National Bank of Canada #255 – Canadian Tire #258 – Baker Tilly #263 – Commissionaires #296 – Cogeco
Industry Professionals Prompt & Friendly Service
LARGE FORMAT | DIGITAL | OFFSET
FULL SERVICE
PRINTING & Design
• Print Products • Forms & Labels
519.988.0159 www.facebook.com/printworld
Order Online@ www.myprintsupplier.com
Conveniently located
1490 Tecumseh Rd. E. (at Gladstone) Windsor
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• Banners & Signs
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New Members December 2019 - January 2020 CONNECTOR Plantscape Windsor Landscape Contractors & Designers Liana Peters Business Manager 1100 Highway 3 Oldcastle, ON N0R 1L0 Tel: (519) 972-5440 Email: info@plantscape.ca www.plantscape.ca
BUSINESS BUILDER Airrad Heating and Cooling Heating & Cooling Contractors Elysia Delaney Operations Manager 1625 Drouillard Rd. Windsor, ON N8Y2S4 Tel: (519) 962-9898 Email: edelaney@airrad.com www.airrad.com Burst Biz Services Business Consultants Hao Ivy Operating Officer 2679 Howard Ave. Suite 419 Windsor, ON N8X 3X2 Tel: 519-800-4208 Email: Burstbiz.com@gmail.com www.burstbiz.com
Renewing Members December 2019 - January 2020 GOLD CIRCLE Enbridge Farrow FCA Canada Inc. KPMG MSLP McTague Law Firm LLP Miller Canfield LLP St. Clair College of Applied Arts & Technology University of Windsor Windsor Star, A division of Postmedia Network Inc
PILLAR MEMBERS Windsor Regional Hospital
COMMUNITY BUILDER MEMBERS MCO Partners Chartered Accountants National Bank of Canada Commercial Banking Centre Roth Mosey & Partners LLP
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CONNECTOR MEMBERS
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Bell Media Radio The Hungry Pooch Workforce WindsorEssex
BUSINESS BUILDER MEMBERS 89X CIMX 93.9 The River CIDR A&A Associates Active Janitorial Advanced Basement Systems AIDS Committee of Windsor Allegra Marketing - Print - Mail / Image 360 Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County AM580 CKWW AM800 CKLW Aurora Steam Bank of Montreal Baron Insignias Ltd.
InlogicGlobal Web Design Yahya Shunnar - Director and Co-Founder 2455 Wyandotte St. W. Joyce Entrepreneurship Centre Windsor, ON N9B 0C1 Tel: (519) 903-7888 Email: yahya@inlogicglobal.com www.inlogicglobal.com Paul Mailloux, Deerbrook Realty Inc. Real Estate Agent/Brokers Paul Mailloux - Real Estate Salesperson 59 Eugenie St. E. Windsor, ON N8X 2X9 Tel: (519) 566-0868 Email: pjmsells@gmail.com www.paulmailloux.com
Ready-Set-Go! Associations & Organizations Susan Jacobs - Director 647 Ouellette Avenue Windsor, ON N9A 4J4 Tel: (519) 977-9407 Email: administrator@readysetgowindsor.ca www.ready-set-go.ca Tabone Insurance Brokers Insurance Brokers Jesmond Tabone - Owner 3012 Tecumseh Rd E Unit B Windsor, ON N8W 1G7 Tel: (226) 216-5777 Email: jesmond@taboneinsurance.com www.taboneinsurance.com
Peninsula Human Resource Consultants Shelley Seguin Business Development Manager Tel: (226) 936-2537 Email: Shelley.seguin@peninsula-ca.com www.peninsulacan.com/Shelley-seguin/
Urban Surf Co. Marina Christopher Mingay - Owner 55 East Pike Creek Road Tecumseh, ON N8N 3S1 Tel: (519) 790-8017 Email: urbansurfcompany@gmail.com www.urbansurf.ca
Pet Valu Plaza 300 Pets & Supplies Don Pham - Director 300 Tecumseh Road E. Unit 420 Windsor, ON N8X 5E8 Tel: (519) 254-8129 Email: petvalu300tecumseh@gmail.com www.petvalu.com
Welcome Home Kitchen & Bath Inc. Home Improvements Deborah Ordon - Showroom Manager 1641 Provincial Road Windsor, ON N8W 5V7 Tel: (519) 966-2111 Email: whiwindsor@gmail.com www.welcomehomekitchenandbath.com
Bartlet & Richardes Bergeron Art & Frame Shop BMO Nesbitt Burns BMO Private Banking Canada Salvage Company (Windsor) Limited Canadian Blood Services Canadian Mental Health Association Centerline (Windsor) Ltd. Chorney Vision Centre Ciociaro Club & Multiplex Coachworx Employment Solutions Community Living Windsor Coral Medical Health Spa CUPE 543 Danny's Transmission Windsor 2005 Ltd. Deloitte Dillon Consulting Limited Doan Mold Finishing Inc. Dr. Oladayo Shobola E3 Works East Windsor Cogeneration Center Electrozad Supply Company Limited Empire Communications Inc. FASTSIGNS of Windsor FCA Canada Inc., Windsor Assembly Plant Festival Tent & Party Rentals Inc. Freeds of Windsor G S Engineering Consultants Inc. Gauthier Roofing and Siding Heavenly Rest Family of Catholic Cemeteries and Crematorium Heavy Construction Association of Windsor Herby Curby Ltd. Honey-Bee Ham Co. Hotham Building Materials Inc. Impact Staffing Inc. InspireHUB Inc. Intense Media Kamsel Leasing Inc. King Materials Handling Ltd. K-Scrap Resources Ltd.
Main Flame Industrial Services Manor Tool & Die Ltd. Manor Windsor Realty Ltd.Marcel's Collision Inc. Merchants Paper Co. Windsor Ltd. Merwin & Associates MMARCO International Services Inc. Monarch Basics Motor City Community Credit Union Ltd. Mousseau DeLuca McPherson Prince LLP National Bank Financial Next Dimension Inc. North 42 Degrees Estate Winery Ojibway Transportation Inc. Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Orangetheory Fitness Parrline Electrical Wholesale Pontoni Business Advisory Services Post Packaging of Windsor Inc. Re/Max Preferred Realty Ltd. Brokerage Selectpath Benefits & Financial Inc. Sigma Engineering (Windsor) Inc. St. Clair College Centre for the Arts St. Clair College Self Employment Assistance Centre St. Clair Residence & Conference Centre Target Building Materials Ltd. TD Commercial Banking The Auto Shop The Hungry Pooch - Tecumseh Branch Thrive Benefits Group Unemployed Help Centre United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County Vollmer Inc. Western Equipment Limited WEtech Alliance Windsor CARSTAR Collision Windsor Grove Cemetery Windsor Hyundai Windsor Laser Eye Institute Windsor Memorial Gardens Your Quick Gateway (Windsor) Inc. Zehrs Food Plus (#0573)