September 2016 Inside this issue: Ready, Set, GO! Member Spotlight Events Calendar Workforce Development Member Update 5 Minutes for Business
CHAMBER at a glance
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Advancing Economic Development
O
n July 27th, both the Conference Board of Canada and The Western Investor, published articles on the economic strength of Brandon and surrounding area. They highlighted the strength in our manufacturing industry and non-residential construction as well as the stability of our employment and the potential for smart real estate investments.
Agriculture producers – Brandon’s economy sounds like it is in very good condition and it is! However, there are a few indicators that could impact our local economy including the price of oil, the value of the Canadian dollar, unemployment Terry Burgess, Chamber President and real estate development. So, we cannot slow down our activities to find other opportunities to with the potential to impact, through maintain our growth and collaboration, both the local and First economic strength. Nation’s economies.
“a few We also heard the exciting expansion indicators plans at the Our Provincial that could Shopper’s Mall with Government is working the new Sobeys hard at making business impact Extra Store and easier to do with our our local GoodLife Fitness in Provinces to the west and the existing ultimately throughout economy” structure combined Canada. Mayor Rick with 13,500 square Chrest understands the feet of new Restaurant space for importance of economic Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, East Side development and is working on a Mario’s and Fionn MacCool’s. Add to new vision – Team Brandon to help that, federated Co-operatives encourage more development within Limited’s new Fertilizer Terminal, a the City and surrounding area. In new joint initiative between addition, the City recently released Manitoba Hydro and Tundra Oil & some information on First Nation Gas and an average or above average Urban Development Areas (FNUDA’s) year of production for local as an emerging economic generator
From a Chamber perspective, we are continuing to look for opportunities to make Brandon an even more attractive place to do business. Following up on our Red Tape Policy, a new Industry Working Group has been setup with the City Planning under the leadership of Jacqueline East, GM of Development Services with CARM, the Chamber, City and Renaissance Brandon. The goals of this group would be to ultimately make development easier, with the goal of eliminating red tape while maintaining City standards. Representing the Chamber in these (Continued on page 6)