Vegreville & District Chamber of Commerce Advocates for Local Businesses

Vegreville & District Chamber of Commerce Advocates for Local Businesses

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Marc Bredo, has taken on a new role with the Vegreville & District Chamber of Commerce.

In the coming months Bredo would like to get business re-opened, back operating, and explore ways to drive tourism to Vegreville as the government relaunch occurs.”

He believes businesses need to return to a “business as usual” which he feels could take some time from the official re-opening date to achieve.

“Every business has been affected in one way or another, through mandatory closures, reduced sales, staffing cuts, supply chain interruptions, etc. Even in instances where the restrictions may not have been the major driver, they restrictions have caused mental fatigue for business owners.”

Bredo said the Chamber will continue to provide assistance to the hardest hit sectors.

He went on to say, “The Chamber is continually communicating with both members and the provincial government to ensure that the severity of the situation our business community faces is understood.

The Alberta government has responded with grants to assist. Our commitment to the business community is to continue fighting for a safe, realistic reopening strategy to stop the cyclical closing of businesses. This hopefully allows business to return to some form of normalcy. The Chamber’s ultimate goal is to entice spending locally to help drive us back to pre- COVID-19 levels.

Chamber President Marc Bredo.

(Marc Bredo/Submitted Photo)

He believes funds through the provincial government’s relaunch grant has helped many local small businesses, especially with the expansion of the program. He pointed out that the program is open until June 30 and encourages businesses who qualify to apply.

Bredo took over the position following the resignation of Jamieson Brown. “The Past President took a new job that wouldn’t enable him to continue in this role as President,” explained Bredo.

The jobs now announcement made by the province which allows employers to apply for funding to offset the cost of hiring and training unemployed or underemployed Albertans in new or vacant positions. He said it will help businesses who eliminated or reduced staffing during the pandemic start the rehiring process.

“The funds available will help to cover a portion of the individual’s wage as business begins to gradually increase with reopening. This should help to offset some of the burden that would have been the responsibility of the business, making rehiring of staff a feasible process earlier in the relaunch.”

As far as the biggest challenge businesses have faced are lockdowns and lack of consumerism as a result of COVID-19. “The economy has seen a near unprecedented level of saving. This is a result of COVID-19 restrictions combined with the fear of job security. Engaging people to begin spending to drive the economy will be essential.”