Wednesday, May 2, 2007 · Page 21 St. Mary's Hall Maidstone, Ontario Dirt biking: a family affair Forget any notion about motorcycle shops being covered in flaming skull stickers and gang leather. You won't find any such thing at Affordable Family Fun, a new Talbot Street business catering to parents and kids who ride dirt bikes and ATVs. In fact, the shop is owned and operated by a local racing family Charlie and Sandra Harling and their daughters, Crystal and Wendy. "A lot of families love racing," said Charlie, who's raced stock cars for 30 years. "My family has always been involved." Charlie said he's participated in endurance and demolition races and is even thinking about entering a school bus race this year. His store offers a range of vehicles, from two-stroke 49 CC dirt bikes to 650 CC ATVs. Catering Available For... Showers · Weddings · Anniversaries Birthdays · Business Meetings · Retirements Bereavement Luncheons, Etc. Accommodating 50 to 300 People Full Menu of Country Style Dinners & Buffets Phone: 737-7063 or 737-6688 low inflation, low interest rates and low levels of government debt. · Governments should eliminate barriers that hinder business expansion plans. A lower total tax burden will free-up business resources and improve the investment climate for SMEs. · Regulations and paper burden restrict business efficiency, undermine competitive advantages and add compliance costs to business operations. Reducing the regulatory burden and red tape will lower compliance costs for SMEs, supporting prosperity. · Inadequate access to financing can hinder investments and constrain the growth potential of SMEs. Governments should take measures to promote a higher level of competition in the financial services sector so that SMEs ability to obtain credit financing is not compromised. · As the study shows, SMEs understand that competition can bring positive spin-offs to their own business. In fact, many business owners think international competition and free trade treaties would create new market opportunities, investment growth and job creation, and two thirds of the SMEs believe that governments should renew their efforts to improve the flow of trade between provinces. To view a copy of the full report, please visit: www.cfib.ca Small Business 101 is an information service provided by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. It is not intended to replace legal and/or accounting advice. Affordable Family Fun, a new dirt bike and ATV dealer on Talbot Street, has recently been opened by the Harling family. From left, Charlie, Matt, Nicole, Wendy, Katelynn and Sandra. Small Business 101 Productivity and small business A recent study of small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) on productivity by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) shows that smaller businesses are committed to efficiency. The study, Building Business Success: A Survey of SMEs on Productivity is based on information about productivity from the business owner's perspective with the goal of uncovering the drivers and barriers to productivity growth at the micro level. CFIB research shows that SMEs are competitive and continually strive to improve by investing in new equipment, training and technology. The majority of business owners say they have achieved productivity gains during the past 12 months in the following areas, linked to productivity: business plans, customer base, capacity use, investment plans in capital and staff, technology adoption and barriers, competition, and, vertical integration. Many are planning to expand or diversify their businesses in the shortterm. Productivity doesn't just happen, it only occurs if a business owner makes a decision to invest in people, equipment or innovation, and the truth is they are only going to do that if they feel confident that those investments will pay off. From a public policy perspective, this means governments have to look to create an environment that promotes those types of investments. · Governments should ensure that the right conditions prevail so businesses are encouraged to grow by creating an environment of Quality Homes Renovations & Additions - ESSEX (519) 776-7200 Enjoy the Essex BIA's "Taste of the Town" Wednesday-May 16, 2007 6:30 pm to 9 pm "ESSEX RAILWAY STATION" ADVANCE TICKETS - $10 Each SOUTHLAND PLAZA Essex, Ontario Monday May 7, 2007 to Thursday May 10, 2007 ONLY Anniversary LUNCH 20% OFF 31 st 776-6414 SPECIALS 519- 50% OFF Large Cheese & Pepperoni or Large Deluxe and Draft Pop 519-776-9811 BIA office Join us for food samples from: Complimentary wine tasting from Colio Wines Door prizes! Last year was such a great success, we are again offering you these two most favourite PIZZAS at 50% OFF. Large Cheese, Pepperoni, Mushroom, bacon & green pepper - $9.53 (Reg $19.06) PEPPERONI SLICE 88¢ DELUXE SLICE $1.00 TACOS, SALADS AND OTHER PEPPERONI SLICE ITEMS + DRAFT POP $1.13 PIZZA SPECIALS 50% OFF POP Large Cheese & Pepperoni $7.08 (Reg. $14.15) DRAFT OFF The Essex Cook House · Zehr's Market Schinkel's Meat Market · Rizzo's Crossing Bennigins Dining Lounge · Essex Foodland Due to these exceptionally low prices, there can be NO SUBSTITUTIONS. All other pizzas will still be avaliable at great savings to you... 30% OFF 50% SANDWICHES Thanks & DRINKS for 30 Great 10% off Years! SUBS 20% O FF The McCrone Family and Staff Delivery for the week of special will be Friday, Saturday & Sunday ONLY! ALL PRICES + TAX