Looking back on 2022, there were many positive things to celebrate for the Altona and District Chamber of Commerce.
Following their first full year post pandemic, Chamber President, Kal Smith says the organization was able to get back to its core purpose, which is getting out and meeting with people. "Being able to get out and chat with people, talk with people, be able to connect a little more. We've done certainly more of that than we've done in previous years," said Smith.
Looking ahead, Smith says their focus will be to connect people, and offer programming that's focused on Altona's robust industry sector.
"A shop local program really doesn't work for a business like Elmer's (Manufacturing), or doesn't work for Friesens, but is there something else that we could possibly do? You know, connecting people, connecting the manufacturers together to help with things like staffing... trying to figure out what their problems are and how we can possibly help."
Smith says that's why having dialogue is a priority for them. "Because if one business owner has a problem, chances are five of them have the exact same problem," noted Smith. He says having that dialogue allows them to offer the best program for an area of concern they all have in common.
During the Chamber's AGM on Thursday, Smith said the Chamber's partnership with SEED was also a big deal for the organization in 2022. In the past few months, he says they've noted a number of positive outcomes as a result of the partnership.
Based on a number of conversations he had with people at Thursday's AGM, Smith says there's a very positive feeling among the business community for the rest of 2023. "You know, they're going gangbusters," said Smith.
- Written with files from Candace Derksen -