As a service centre for some 180,000 residents, a notable portion of Brandon's economy was hit hard and fast by the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Sandy Black.
2021 IS PROVING TO BE YET ANOTHER LONG ECONOMIC ROLLER COASTER RIDE
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n early 2020, indications were that Brandon’s economy was on a moderate growth path. Despite ongoing challenging global dynamics, businesses were optimistic with many lo cal manufacturers projecting strong growth. Unemploy ment rates were creeping downward returning to low his torical norms and event sector momentum was strong. The newly launched Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot brought renewed confidence that chronic employment vacancies would finally be addressed. The recently updated Downtown Secondary Plan moved to implementation phase. WestJet buoyed by strong flight bookings, announced an expanded schedule for the Brandon air port. Without a doubt, we were perched at the top of what would soon become an economic rollercoaster ride. Fast-forward 18 months and the rollercoaster ride continues, though in the last few months the trajectory of the ups and downs has decreased. The resiliency and adaptability of our local busi nesses continues to be unshakeable, despite changing public health orders, supply chain constraints, labour force woes, and changing customer spending habits. Processing Brandon Eco nomic Restart Program (BERP) grant applications has been both a heart-wrenching and heart-warming experience. The applica tion review process provides greater insight into the far-reaching 20
••• Brandon Business Review ••• 2021
impacts of the COVID pandemic on business and the unwaver ing optimism that continues to drive business owners forward. The program intake is ongoing with grants approved on a firstcome first-serve basis. Additional information can be found at economicdevelopmentbrandon.com/berp. As a service centre for some 180,000 residents, a notable por tion of Brandon’s economy was hit hard and fast by the COVID-19 pandemic. Once again, economic diversity served the commu nity well as many sectors of the economy were able to continue to operate at normal operational levels, albeit under new safety protocols. The decimated tourism sector is slowly starting to open up, but the return to pre-COVID spending levels is not expected until 2024, according to Travel Manitoba. However, we are seeing positive signals such as new Event Hosting grant applications be ing submitted, hospitality service businesses actively hiring, and the hotel occupancy rates very slowly improving. Brandon’s first modern-day brewery, Black Wheat Brewing, opened in August of fering a brand-new tourism destination. The downtown operation brews beer on-site and offers beer lovers a must visit taproom. Thankfully, many of Brandon’s manufacturers are reporting solid business outlooks which bolsters Brandon’s economic outlook for the next 12 months.
