ATHABASCA — It was less about looking back and more about looking forward as the Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meeting last week.
Held virtually via Zoom Feb. 17 both Town of Athabasca mayor Rob Balay and president Tova Schwede focused on the future, both the good and bad, as the town and local businesses are hopefully to finally come out of the final wave of a pandemic which has lasted almost two years.
“Some of the challenges that we face in ‘22 that weren't there in ‘21 is continued downloading from the provincial government like police funding,” Balay said as the guest speaker. “The water commission increased their rates to the town by 29 per cent. We received decreased revenue from the province in lieu of the taxes for all the buildings and also on the provincial fines, they cut our portion.”
He added interest on investments is also down and the Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) funding is being cut by 60 per cent.
“So, where we receive $836,000, we're only receiving $332,000 this year, and that's the same as in ‘23,” he said.
Balay also touched on proposed residential and non-residential tax increases for the coming year, noting council will be available to present the budget at an open house, Wed. Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Multiplex. He also provided an update on ongoing work of the Healthcare Professional Attraction and Retention committee.
“I would like to increase or have more communication with the chamber,” he said. “So, anytime you want me to come in and talk about things or, any individuals if you have anything to talk about or concerns, my door is open, and I welcome that dialogue.”
Schwede, who retained the position of president for a third term, by acclamation, also spoke to the 29 others in the meeting, touching on a personally stressful couple of years.
“It was very stressful for me on a personal and professional level,” Schwede said. “As many of you know I had a family member who very publicly opposed the restrictions, which resulted in a chaotic year. I cannot thank the board members, community members, friends, family, and fellow team members enough for their support and understanding through the last 12 months.”
Part of the president's role is to reflect on the previous year for the business community, but she chose to look ahead instead..
“I'm going to take a different approach and give you a bit of a snapshot of our goals and plans for 2022 as I believe we need to look to the future and how we improve to serve our members and our region better,” said Schwede. “We are currently working on a number of marketing concepts, which includes a full-page visitors guide ad, vertical and horizontal banners and expanding and improving our new website that we launched in July of 2021.”
The Chamber is also coming upon a special milestone, she said.
“It is my understanding 69 years ago, when the Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce started, it was meant to represent the entire County of Athabasca No. 12 and all businesses within those boundaries,” she said. “This includes all businesses in the Village of Boyle, Grassland, Colinton, Rochester, the summer villages, Athabasca, and every single business located in Athabasca County. I think if we were to work together as a region, we will be stronger and better, we are stronger together.”
The chamber is open to all businesses and non-profits and in 2021 counted 53 member businesses, 11 home-based and non-profits, and 11 business award winners.
“Thus far in 2022 we are off to a great start. We have 49 businesses, eight home-based businesses and non-profits and 12 business awards winners,” said Schwede.
She also touched on the success of the Canada Day market and Magnificent River Rats one-day festival, Moonlight Madness, and the Christmas market.
Schwede retained her seat as president while Eunice Reichstein was elected as first vice president. Brenda Skayman moved from being a director to second vice president, and Carol Alberts, who was first vice president is now treasurer. Steve Splinter is back on the executive as secretary after a hiatus.
Todd Dutchak, John Semashkewich, and Rick Baksza all remain in their roles as directors, and fresh faces like Adam Pacholok, Bernadine Laine-Boven, and Keith Plowman will also serve as directors.
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