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He’s been tremendous for the benefit things happen from a commercial or
of the organization as a whole and not industrial standpoint, it’s really only
just in Cambridge, but with the Ontario one municipality. The factory might be DID YOU
and Canadian Chambers of Commerce in Cambridge, but people come from KNOW?
and at the international Chamber KW to work in it and visa-versa.”
level.” From the standpoint of the Chamber, LCBO open for
As a business and Chamber leader, Sam says promoting prosperity business
f
In
the
a
of
ll
Sam also witnessed a big shi t in has always remained one of its key In the fall of
the overall economy of Cambridge priorities, even though most residents 1969, a bid by the
as its textile industry and shoe may not be aware of what it does. He Preston Chamber of
manufacturers shut down and Toyota says hosting major events in venues Commerce to have
set up its manufacturing operation in like Tapestry Hall and providing the LCBCO outlet
1985. Certificates of Origins to companies remain open six days a week pays off.
“All of sudden, the biggest employer that do business overseas continue to According to the Preston Times, Chamber
Manager Campbell Millar had approached
in the city just moved in,” he says. help the Chamber raise its community town council earlier that year, noting that
“That’s when we went to an economy profile. having the store remain closed on Mondays
that was automotive driven and all of “The average person may not was hurting the town economically. Council
the ancillary providers to automotive, understand what a Chamber is, but a agreed and approached the LCBO who
and all the people that work in that businessperson does,” says Sam. “And supported the move.
industry.” I think they get it.” This came a ter other previous Chamber
As well, Sam credits the arrival of requests to have the liquor store stay open
BlackBerry for changing the region’s on Friday nights, and a move by the Ontario
overall economic landscape. Chamber network at its annual general
“Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis meeting calling for alcoholic beverages to be
were instrumental in bringing tech served on Sundays in licensed dining rooms,
cocktail lounges, and beverage rooms from
to Waterloo Region,” he says. “I noon until 10 p.m.
know we have to still get over these
hurdles regarding territory, but when

www.cambridgechamber.com Spring 2024 13