FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mississippi Mills Chamber of Commerce branches out in 2010
11^th annual Go Green: Plant a Tree! campaign

Chamber also reduces annual membership fee to $50 so more local business owners gain benefits
of networking events and exchange of successful money-making ideas

Mississippi Mills ON – March 4, 2010 – Cleaner air, cooler buildings, better water quality, reduced soil erosion, and increased property value are just a few of many great reasons to plant trees. With spring just around the corner, the Mississippi Mills Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its 11^th annual Go Green: Plant a Tree! fundraising campaign. The deadline to order root and branch pruned trees is Fri. April 16^th, and you can pick up trees for planting Sat. April 24^th at 3131 Old Perth Road (back of Mississippi Mills municipal building) between 9AM and Noon.

The brainchild of Almonte resident Al Potvin, the Mississippi Mills Chamber of Commerce Tree Sale is a key fundraiser for the dedicated voice for great businesses in Mississippi Mills. Trees sized up to 10 ft. tall are priced from a very reasonable $35 to $70 and include fertilizer, mulch, compost, and a free seminar on planting and tree care. The 36 varieties available include Royal Red Maple, Sugar Tyme Crab, Royal Gala Apple, Clapps Favourite Pear, Ivory Silk Lilac, and Crimson Spire Oak. Order forms are available online at www.mississippimills.com and can be dropped off at Don’s Meat Market, 126 Mill Street, or Curiosities, 30 Mill Street, in downtown Almonte.

Last year the campaign raised $16,000, an impressive 225% jump in revenue over 2008. “The tremendous success of last year’s sale demonstrated the community’s enthusiasm and support for this campaign. Trees contribute to the overall beauty and health of the environment in Mississippi Mills. This, in turn, attracts new residents and businesses to our community. It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” says Chamber President Gerry Turcotte.

The Chamber directed funds to marketing initiatives designed to attract new residents and businesses to Mississippi Mills. These initiatives included the fully operational smARTown WIFI Network in downtown Almonte, a series of business profile ads of Chamber members, and a series of YouTube promotional videos.

“Experience Culture in Mississippi Mills” is the fourth in a series of two-minute videos focusing on the business, recreation, home, and cultural opportunities available in Mississippi Mills. Created by local videographer/director Will Richardson and scriptwriter June Veenstra, the new “Culture” video, along with previously released videos on "Commerce", and "Living", and “Recreation” are available on YouTube and Vimeo, and free for local businesses to include on Web sites, blogs, Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites. The videos have already attracted more than 1,800 viewers worldwide, and instructions on adding them to business and individual Web sites, blogs and Facebook pages are now available at www.mississippimills.com.

In an effort to encourage wider membership, the Chamber has reduced its annual membership fee from $125 to $50 per year. “We’ve realized that business owners need a break on costs,” says Turcotte. “That said, our members also need networking opportunities where they can share great ideas and get support. The board recognizes that the effectiveness of the Chamber is directly related to the participation of its members.” Last year, the Chamber held its annual Golf Tournament in August, its Business Awards Gala in October, and monthly “Mixers” to give its members the opportunity to network with other business owners. “The enthusiasm and participation at these events is growing. It proves that our members feel their time and energy is well spent,” says Michael Caughey, Treasurer for the Chamber. Membership information and forms are available online at www.mississippimills.com.

If you’re a member of the business community and interested in what the Mississippi Mills Chamber of Commerce has to offer, you’re invited to attend its monthly ‘Mixers’ where local business people network, identify new opportunities, and work together to build the town’s economy. The third mixer of 2010 takes place on March 24^th at The Barley Mow Pub in Almonte from 6:00 – 8:30PM with featured speaker Adrian Ayotte, owner of Reliable Heating and Cooling. Since starting his business in 2007, the company has grown to be a widely recognized player in the heating industry, servicing Mississippi Mills, Renfrew, Perth, Smiths Falls, and Ottawa. The company currently employs seven people with a fleet of four trucks and a 3000sq. ft. showroom. Ayotte will be speaking about the challenges and opportunities for service businesses in rural communities situated on the periphery of larger urban centres. For more information please visit www.mississippimills.com.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Jennifer Noxon

Tel: 613-256-8809

Email: jenoxon@gmail.com