The Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Brandon is slated to open Monday, September 14. The 6-storey, 116-room hotel is located (1148 18th Street) right in the heart of Brandon and across from the Keystone Centre. In conversation with bdnmb.ca earlier today General Manager Suzanne Rowley said that business travelers factor in a number of considerations when booking a room including a spacious work area inside the room, reliable WiFi access, a fitness centre, and peace and quiet. The Holiday Inn Express offers a number of perks: indoor pool, fitness centre, indoor whirlpool, guest laundry,  complimentary grab & go breakfast, business centre and complimentary high speed WiFi. The property also boasts 2-25 person meeting spaces. In addition to the business traveler, the hotel will be a destination stop for many hockey/athletic teams and family travel. The Brandon Holiday Inn Express is owned by P.R. Hotels Ltd, who own/operate 10 hotels in total. Thirty to thirty-five staff are expected to be employed once the hotel is fully operational. For additional information on the hotel, please visit this link.

Regent Custom Cresting recently celebrated 30 years in business. The company first opened their doors in August of 1990, with 4 employees (2 owners, 2 press operators) and one 4 color screen printing press. Operating out of their present location at 2506 Southern Ave, the company now employs 10 people with multiple 6 color screen printing presses and additional embroidery equipment. General Manager Kevin Elton, who has been with Regent for the entire 30 years, told bdnmb.ca that he has noticed several significant changes in the industry during that time including the ordering process (email/online) and the speed production of today's modern equipment. Due to Covid-19, a planned BBQ to show appreciation to both their customers and staff was recently put on hold until they can safely celebrate together. Engraving, embroidery, silk screening, promotional items, apparel, trophies, framing, sports team outfits, and more are among the products/services offered by Regent Custom Cresting.

BRANDON, MB 09.01.20 – Westoba Inspire Community Investment Program is accepting applications during the month of September 2020 for major projects supporting community infrastructure. “We are focusing on projects that will enhance community infrastructure,” said Jim Rediger, Westoba Credit Union President and CEO. “Initiatives and projects that have lasting impact and offer sustainability to community resources will be given priority.” Westoba will provide funding to deserving non-profit, charitable or community organizations across the province who are helping build stronger communities through facilities or programming. Applications are reviewed by Westoba’s Community Investment Committee that includes staff, member and Board representation. Successful applications are chosen based on their ability to align with Westoba’s goal to support community infrastructure. HOW TO APPLY Applications will be accepted through an online application form available at westobainspire.com. ABOUT WESTOBA INSPIRE Created in 2017, Westoba Inspire is the result of Westoba’s Community Investment Fund in partnership with the Brandon Area Community Foundation. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be a non-profit charitable organization, support community infrastructure projects that are initiated locally or have a clear local impact; are inclusive and bring people together; are long-termor multi-functional; and promote staying, participating and engaging in an enriched community. (submitted)

Westman Communications Group is excited to announce that its 2020 #ConnectingWestman initiative donated $19,500 to local communities in which they serve. This year Westman Communications Group was unable to take their annual #ConnectingWestman Tour on the road due to COVID-19 restrictions, so they decided to take it digital. “Taking our #ConnectingWestman initiative digital allowed us to get all 39 of our communities involved and provide them with a donation. It is evident that now more than ever, all our communities need our support, and we want to make sure they know we are here for them, and we are in this together,” said Chief Customer Officer John Quail. Westman Communications Group services 39 communities across Western Manitoba, and each one of these communities received a $500 donation to a charity of their choice. The digital initiative allowed members of each community to submit which charity they thought was deserving of the $500 donation. The charities that received the most submissions from each community were the winners of the $500 donation. The 2020 #ConnectingWestman winners from each community are: Brandon – Brandon Humane Society Binscarth – Binscarth Little Bloomers Daycare Birtle – Birtle Riverside Golf Course Boissevain – Boissevain & Morton Community Foundation Carberry – Art Sear Memorial Park Play Structure Fundraising Committee Dauphin – Parkland Humane Society Deloraine – Deloraine Winchester Historical Society Elkhorn – Elkhorn Elks Community Fund Erickson – Score Store, Inc. Forrest – Elton Community Centre Gilbert Plains – Gilbert Plains Drop-In Senior Center Gladstone – Gladstone District Museum Glenboro – Glenboro Gaiety Theatre Grandview – Watson Crossley Museum Hamiota – Hamiota Community Foundation Inglis – Inglis and District Community Club Killarney – Killarney Turtle Mountain Arts Council McCreary – McCreary Heritage Advisory Committee Melita – Melita Food Bank Minitonas – Minitonas & District Arena Minnedosa – Friends of Lake Minnedosa Minto – Minto Recreation Facilities Committee Neepawa – Neepawa Salvation Army Rapid City - Rapid City Regional Library Rivers – Riverdale Early Learning Centre Roblin – Roblin and District Food Bank Rossburn – Rossburn Senior Resource Russell – Expanding Community Cancer Care Project Sandy Lake – Sandy Lake Playground Project Shilo – One At A Time Rescue Shoal Lake – Senior Services of Prairie Parkland Inc. Souris – Souris Railway Museum St. Claude – St. Claude Wellness Center St. Lazare – St. Lazare Athletics Ste Rose – Ste Rose Food Bank Strathclair – Strathclair United Church Swan River – Swan Valley Animal Protection League Virden – Virden Area Foundation Westman Communications Group looks forward to taking their 2021 #ConnectingWestman Tour back on the road to visit three communities. For more information about the #ConnectingWestman initiative, visit westmancom.com/personal/connectingwestman/connectingwestman-tour

I Want That Stuff, a local collectables/gaming store, recently shared an announcement on their Facebook page that the store would be moving to a new location at the Just4Kidz building on Park Avenue. In conversation with bdnmb.ca earlier today, they said they are targeting an October 1st opening at the new address. They have been in business for 11 years, over 4 of those years at the 19th Street location. Ownership is extremely excited to be relocating for a number of reasons including being able to offer an expanded selection of merchandise and new systems to make your visit as excellent as possible. I Want That Stuff will occupy approximately 40% off the space in the building including 2,000 sq feet on the main floor for a gaming area and 2,500 sq feet on the upper level for inflatable axe throwing for kids and other interActive fun zone activities. Renovations are currently underway. For additional/updated information, please visit their Facebook page. Just4Kidz will continue to operate out of the address as well. Private parties and bookings will soon be available and a potential daycare is in the works.