Brandon Neighborhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC) is delivering an Apprenticeship Incentive Program with over $2 million to provide financial incentives to small and medium enterprises (SME’s) in the Manufacturing and Construction Industry. The program application process is streamlined to ONLY one form to make it easier for SME’s in the Building Trades to apply. Employers can receive $5,000 for hiring a 1st year apprentice or upgrade an existing general laborer and get additional $5,000 if the individual identifies from an equity-deserving group, including women, Indigenous people, newcomers (in the last 10 years), racialized communities (including Black Canadians) persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+. Employers can hire a maximum of 2 apprentices in a fiscal year with a maximum of $20,000 as incentive. The BNRC Apprentice Incentive Program has assisted Ben Wiebe Construction in Brandon hire and retain two carpentry apprentice carpenters as we head into its slow winter season, said controller Jeanette Hudon. Interested individuals willing to go into apprenticeship in the eligible building trades can apply on our website, where we will try to match them with interested employers. Employers looking to hire should also contact us, so we can also try to match them with an apprentice. Check our website for list of eligible building trades. Contact 204-729-2490 ext. 111 or 113 and apply on https://bnrc.ca/apprentice-incentive/ .

Westman Communications Group (WCG) announces the availability of XSTREAM GIG everywhere in Brandon. This Internet plan offers a download speed of up to 950 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps. XSTREAM GIG can deliver the fast Internet speed subscribers crave over a reliable connection. As we continue to add more devices to our home or business networks, the need for additional bandwidth is increasing, and the enhanced speed offered by the XSTREAM GIG enables this,” said John Quail, Westman Communications Group Chief Customer Officer. “WCG made it a priority to proactively upgrade our network earlier this year, which allows us to offer the XSTREAM GIG service in every neighbourhood in Brandon. This enables people living in older homes or working in older buildings to receive similar speeds more commonly available only to those residing in recently constructed homes and commercial premises. As a cooperative, WCG believes everyone should have access to communications services, including the Internet speeds they need to enjoy a higher quality of life wherever they live. We will continue working to make XSTREAM GIG available in more communities beyond Brandon over the next 12 months for residences and businesses.” Brandon residents can now subscribe to the XSTREAM GIG Internet plan by contacting WCG Customer Service at 204.725.4300 or 1.800.665.3337. In addition, Westman Business Solutions has a gigabit service available to commercial customers in Brandon. Call 204-717-2839 or 1- 888-759-2225 for more information on their Ultimate GIG service. For more information about Westman Communications Group and its Internet offers, follow WCG on social media or head to westmancom.com/personal/internet/plans.

Santa’s Arrival will be happening on Dec. 2nd at 6:00pm at Centre Court, located beside Hair Today Mall Barbers. People who attend his arrival will get a chance to enter our giveaway to win one of five $100 Shoppers Mall shopping sprees. Santa at the Mall will return on Dec. 2nd, 2022, until Dec. 23rd, 2022. Special dates with Santa at the Mall include: Sensory Santa: Dec. 4th at 9:00am to 11:00am Pet Photo Night: Dec. 7th at 5:00pm to 7:00pm Storytime With Santa: Dec. 12th at 11:00am Regular Hours for Santa are as follows: Monday to Friday: 11:00am to 7:00pm Saturday: 11:00am to 6:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm to 6:00pm The CNIB Gift Wrapping Centre is also making a return starting November 30th, 2022, until December 24th, 2022. They will be operating the same hours as the mall: Monday to Friday: 10:00am to 8:00pm Saturday*: 10:00am to 6:00pm Sunday: 11:00am to 6:00pm Christmas Eve (Dec.24): 10:00am to 5:00pm Shoppers can bring their gifts big and small to the gift-wrapping centre opposite FYIdoctors to get their presents wrapped in exchange for a donation of their choice. Shoppers who donate $20 or more get a chance to enter to win a $250 Shoppers Mall shopping spree

Eastside Eatery, a local restaurant serving delicious scratch made meals, recently made several key announcements on their Facebook page. Every Sunday starting on November 20th, Eastside Eatery will be running their brunch buffet from 10am-2pm. The banquet hall will be available for extra seating. The staff is excited to bring you a dining experience you will grow to love, featuring a deep menu of brunch items. In the days following the brunch announcement, they also announced that the dining room and banquet hall are now officially licensed & the restaurant has started taking bookings for the Christmas season. In addition to a bunch of new menu upgrades, the banquet hall will be getting updated as well. Contact them today (smokedandsauced@outlook.com) to book your Christmas party, wedding, social, or anniversary. The restaurant is located at #4 1451 Richmond Ave East.

Tomorrow you can head out and get your Christmas shopping started early. Choose from unique one of a kind items and find something for everyone at the East End Community Centre's craft sale. Twelve vendors will be on-hand selling a variety of wood crafts, wreaths, diamond art, honey, knitting, etc. Admission is free and the sale happens on Saturday, November 12th from 10am-5pm.