Positive potential.
Those are the words Merissa Scarlett used when talking about the business community in Estevan. After five months of leading the Estevan Public Youth Centre to its success, she's now taking on a new portfolio: executive director of the Estevan Chamber of Commerce.
"I'm excited and nervous, but I'm one of those people that says 'if you're nervous, that means you really care and you're excited about it'. It's a little different -- well, it's a lot different, but it represents more of my background of the business side of things. I just think right now Estevan is in such a unique spot where there's so many opportunities. So, I'm really happy to be a part of continuing to push for Estevan on the local and provincial scale, especially on the side of business," she said.
Scarlett sees a lot of potential for the business community in Estevan and the southeast region. She noted that the talk around the nuclear reactor project and transitioning out of coal opens many doors long term for the community.
"I think the Chamber plays a huge role in creating that business environment in that it's positive. We are in the community. I mean, every business here does something for the community in one way or another. I just really want to be part of leading that cause for businesses and making sure that businesses feel good about starting in the Estevan area."
Scarlett's business acumen has a long trail of history. Originally from Sudbury, Ontario, she made her way to Saskatchewan in 2011 overseeing programming for the Saskatchewan Science Centre. She later started her business journey when she became an Advertising Consultant for 980 CJME in Regina in 2019. With her husband and child, Scarlett made her way to Estevan in 2022. She quickly volunteered to be part of the board for the Estevan Early Years Family Resource Centre. Most recently, she was named the executive director of the Estevan Public Youth Centre, securing over $80,000 of funding for programs geared towards local youth.
"I came into EPYC with a short-term plan to just get the ship righted in the sense of just getting some money in the door and getting kids back through it - and I'm going to say I feel really good. It's in a really great spot. I'm confident the Board can...take it even beyond what I imagined. So I'm very proud of my success there," Scarlett added. "I would say more youth know about EPYC and I'm happy to see that youth are caring about it, passionate, and they want it to be around. EPYC, as far as charity in the community, is going to be around a while and I'm very confident I've put it in the space that it needs to be to even take it to that next level."
Right off the bat, Scarlett is looking to foster more connections within Estevan and beyond to build up the business community in the southeast. She said that she'll take on the role with a hands-on approach, improving networking events and giving different businesses more opportunities to collaborate.
She emphasized her approach by asking two questions: 'What does the Chamber do for you and what can it be doing for you?'
"If you want to give me a tour of your business, I will come and I will wear the hard hat. I'll wear the boots and I'll come see it. Because I need to know what's really happening here on the ground and the real challenges that it is to operate a business in Estevan area. I will continue on with that collaboration -- it's something I'm passionate about."
Scarlett has big shoes to fill following Jackie Wall's departure later this month. Her first day with the Estevan Chamber is October 16.