September 2011 Inside this issue: GM’s Report Member Spotlight Calendar of Events Remember to Vote! Recognizing the Importance of Small Business Business Books: Recommended Reading
CHAMBER at a glance
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a publication of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Protecting Businesses in the Future
S
eptember is the time of the year when it’s “back to school”, “back to work after summer holidays” and generally “back to more routine”. In a year when spring started off less than routine for everyone, many are welcoming a sense of routine. The threat of spring flooding had a dramatic impact on merchants, the agricultural industry, and much of our membership. The forced evacuation for those in the potential flood area caused disruption in business patterns including planning, ordering stock and the change in consumer spending, which in some cases hasn’t returned to normal. Our Agricultural industry had a difficult wet spring that left millions of dollars of unplanted crops that will undoubtedly have an impact on our local and provincial economy. Over the past number of months, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce has been busy working behind the scenes preparing for the fall business
cycle. One of the most active areas for the Chamber of Commerce was to survey flood affected businesses. Over seventy of those businesses were contacted about the direct impact of the “high water event” and asked what happened to consumer confidence as a result of the flood, and what the individual businesses capacity was to withstand another potentially devastating spring flood. The overwhelming majority of business indicated that they wanted to make sure every effort is made to protect our community from future flooding events. This is a strong message to municipal and provincial leaders that we must take advantage of the time and weather to prepare now. Since the sand bags have been removed from both major arteries (1st & 18th Streets) we can see that the Assiniboine River still remains high and will likely be a challenge again in 2012. As the costs of the flood prevention efforts are being tabulated and
prepared for submission to the provincial government, the concern now is for when the money will be paid out to the various municipalities that are carrying the burden of the costs. Clearly, there will be a pronounced affect on local taxpayers to pay for the measures necessary to protect the city and it citizens’ property and livelihood. There will also need to be a significant investment to put in place long term protection for the businesses and homes forced to evacuate during the past. The time for planning is now. The Chamber will continue speak on behalf of business to every level of government to ensure that our business community is heard.
Cam Cam Clark Chamber President