FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2017 WOODSTOCK, NB – Xplornet Communications Inc. (“Xplornet”), one of Canada’s leading broadband service providers, is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement for the purchase of the Internet access business of NetSet Communications (“NetSet”). Based in Brandon, Manitoba, NetSet is a privately held telecommunications company founded in 2001 providing next generation broadband services throughout the Province of Manitoba. The acquisition is the largest in Xplornet’s history and accelerates the company’s continued expansion across Western Canada. "Confidence in our economy is growing and this announcement is a great example that Manitoba is the right place for businesses to invest, build and grow," said Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade. "The Manitoba government welcomes Xplornet's investment in the province and its commitment to providing wireless broadband service for Manitobans.” “We are delighted to welcome NetSet customers to Xplornet,” said Mr. Allison Lenehan, President and CEO of Xplornet. “We believe our customers share much in common. Like Xplornet, NetSet’s customers live in rural and remote communities and just outside of major centres. We are committed to continuing the proud legacy that NetSet has established in the Province of Manitoba and look forward to connecting Manitobans to more of what matters online.” Xplornet will maintain the NetSet Communications tradename and retain virtually all NetSet’s employees and business operations in both Brandon and Winnipeg. NetSet’s founder and former CEO, Charlie Clark, has agreed to serve in an advisory role supporting Xplornet’s business operations in the Province. Xplornet will complement NetSet’s existing services by further expanding its wireless Internet footprint, as well as adding new products, including satellite Internet, home phone, and mobile wireless service next year. “This is great news for NetSet’s customers, employees, and for the Province of Manitoba,” said Tami-Rae Rourke (Clements), former Chief Operating Officer and a co-founder of NetSet. “Xplornet and NetSet share similar roots, and a similar passion for delivering fast, affordable Internet services in rural Canada, and it is our customers, and consumers across the Province who will benefit.” Xplornet is one of Canada's leading broadband service providers, with customers in every province and territory. Xplornet has been nationally recognized in four of the last five years as a Top Employer in Atlantic Canada, has been named a Canadian Telecom Employer of Choice for three years in a row. This year, Xplornet was named the best company to work for in Canada's telecommunications sector by Forbes Magazine. In 2016, NetSet’s success and rapid growth was recognized by the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, while Charlie Clark was named Business Person of the Year by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce in March of the same year. Recently, NetSet has made considerable investments in its network including upgrading to the latest Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology. This expansion will support Xplornet in offering more mobile choice to all Manitobans in 2018. The agreements have been signed and the closing is set for October 31, 2017.

Local entrepreneur Jamie Willey, who is a local photographer and also owns Studio 78, felt Brandon would be a great fit to have a magazine which features local businesses,fashion, food, events and more. “My goal with Mint is to do this three to four times a year in Brandon...right now we have barely scratched the surface for what content is available”. The magazine went online last week and some of her advertisers, like Rob Mulligan of Mulligans Electric, have noticed immediate results having already received phone calls from Dauphin and Killarney. Mint magazine is free and was delivered to houses throughout the city this weekend. The magazine is also available at participating businesses and Sobeys extra. If you would like a copy delivered email Jamie at jamie@mintmagazine.ca.

Do you want your home/property to look fabulous this holiday season but don't want to get on the roof to hang those twinkling, multi-colored Christmas lights for yourself? No worries, Wheat City Lights, based right here in Brandon, is a company who will help you avoid the hassles and headaches of having to do it for your self. Not only do they offer installation services for your roof but their talented team of installation professionals have the tools (bucket truck) and equipment necessary to transform your tall trees into magnificent displays. In addition to servicing roofs and trees, they also offer Christmas light installation services to fences, windows and yard displays.  Christmas light take-down and removal services are also available once the holiday season is over. Contact them (761-5131) today for a professional and hassle-free experience, and enjoy brilliant results that give your property that special something for the holidays. 

I have no problem taking one for the team, so to speak, and after seeing all the ads on TV for the Skip The Dishes APP it was time to try it out for myself. The concept is simple: First you install the APP on your phone and then you will be provided with a list of local options for food delivery. Select what you want to order from the list of available restaurants, pay online and the driver shows up with your order. You can even include the tip into your purchase at the time of the transaction. Now, normally you can primarily order pizza, pasta, and Chinese food by delivery but Skip The Dishes is different as it provides users with with a broader selection of places to order from. You can get food from a number of local businesses including: Double Decker Tavern, Pita Pit, Fraser Sneath Coffee, Montana’s, Taco Time, A & W, The Dock, Smitty’s, Little Italy, Pita Pit, and KFC and various others. The true beauty of this service, and APP, is the ability to track track your driver and where he is in the city of Brandon (kind of like using UBER). Scott Glennie, a former Brandon Wheat King and Dallas Stars first-round draft pick, said he used Skip the Dishes several times in Winnipeg and found the service outstanding. “It is my favorite APP to use because I can get almost any type of food I want...I would use it before Manitoba Moose pre-game meals last year”. Skip The Dishes was created by a Saskatoon company and sold recently for 110 million dollars.

Following a period of successful negotiations and due diligence, Vanguard and Catalyst Credit Unions are pleased to announce that they will be asking their members to vote, on November 21, on a proposal to amalgamate their operations. If successful, the amalgamation would come into effect April 1, 2018. The proposal is in response to the pace and magnitude of change occurring in the financial services industry. The scale of the amalgamated credit union would make it better positioned to compete with the banks and new, primarily digital, competitors. “Credit unions aren’t immune to the realities of the environment in which all financial institutions operate,” said Guy Huberdeau, Chair of the Vanguard Credit Union Board of Directors. “Change is being driven by technology, the economy, regulation and competition — and we need to change to continue to meet the evolving needs of our members.” The amalgamated credit union would have 29,000 members, assets under administration of over $1-billion, 180 employees, and 18 branches serving 40 communities throughout Western Manitoba from Brandon to Winnipegosis. It would also comprise other assets, including one real estate, two wealth management, and five insurance operations. “The business case for this amalgamation shows that there will be growth on the top line and improvements in many areas that will have a positive effect on the bottom line,” said Catalyst Chair Richard Dereniwski. “Simply stated, the sum of our parts will be better than each of us on our own.” Vanguard CEO Ian Gerrard says both credit unions are “doing great today,” but that this proposal is about sustainability and positioning the organization for the future. “If approved by members, their credit union would have deeper expertise in the areas of agriculture, wealth management and technology,” he says. “There would also be major advantages to working together as it relates to our complex regulatory environment.” Catalyst CEO Ron Hedley is particularly pleased that this would be a partnership of equals. “Merging at this time allows us to pick the partner that we want to merge with, rather than potentially being forced to merge with an organization down the line in what would essentially be a takeover. This allows us to maintain important aspects of our culture and identity, and remain closer to the roots of our communities.”