WESTLOCK — There was a focus on economic growth as the region’s business community and members of their respective municipalities gathered for the 2024 Business Breakfast Oct. 23 at the Westlock and District Memorial Hall.
The annual event was hosted in partnership by the Westlock and District Chamber of Commerce and the Westlock Economic Region, and featured several keynote speakers, including Town of Westlock mayor Jon Kramer, Village of Clyde mayor Charis Aguirre and Westlock County Reeve Christine Wiese.
It also included a panel discussion by the Westlock Economic Region member and town councillor Murtaza Jamaly and Westlock Terminals CEO, Clifford Bell.
“We’re seeing some growth and we’re definitely wanting people to know that we are open for business,” said Aguirre. “We want to invite you to our community, whether you’re a small business, light industrial, or you’re building some residential (homes).”
Aguirre noted the importance of regional municipalities sharing updates with the business community at events like the annual business breakfast.
“This is the first year that all three municipalities have spoken (at the event)\. It’s really exciting. I think there’s so much potential for our whole region and we’ve just started tapping into that,” she added.
Westlock and District Chamber of Commerce president, Graeme Harrington said it was another great event and was well attended and supported by the business community with about 100 attendees.
“It’s great to have that collaboration with the Westlock Economic Region and to hear from each of the municipalities and how they’re working together,” said Harrington. “It was neat to hear the different perspectives because they all affect our small businesses and our chamber members.”
Clifford Bell, CEO for Westlock Terminals shared an update on his company and its impact on the local economy.
“We’re always really happy to share the story of agriculture, local agriculture, local value added opportunities and the evolution of Westlock Terminals and how it came to be in the face of so many challenges over the years,” said Bell.
The company has focused on diversifying its footprint to help stabilize the business to not be soley reliant on the local grain economy. That’s taking shape in the form of a distillery that will be located on the farmland owned by Albert and Florence Miller, just outside of Westlock, and south of Hazel Bluff.
“It’s potentially ready to go, hopefully before the New Year,” he said. “We’re pretty happy to be able to continue on with Albert’s legacy and Albert’s work. He was a good Rotarian, he was a local businessman in Westlock and a great customer of Westlock Terminals.”
