DIDSBURY - The newly-elected president of the Didsbury & District Chamber of Commerce says businesses working together and with council is vital to the success of the local economy.
Tracy Kaczmer, the manager of the Red Apple Store in Didsbury, appeared as a delegation before council at a recent council meeting.
“We have a very small but a very enthusiastic board and we believe that the chamber can be in integral part of the Didsbury business community,” said Kaczmer.
“Our foremost plan is to bring networking events to the business community. I am a firm believer in working collaboratively and the more businesses come together the stronger the economy of this lovely little town can be.”
The chamber of commerce promotes the business community and economic development in the municipality.
Mentoring young people in the local business economy is also vital to the long-term success of the town, she said.
“We hope to use our business experience to bring some new ideas and events to the Didsbury chamber,” she said.
The Didsbury & District Chamber of Commerce and the Didsbury & District Arts Society made a request to council for funding of a booth rental at the upcoming Didsbury Trade Show (April 12-13) as well as to cover the cost of printed materials for the event.
“One of the reasons we would like to have a presence at the trade show is to connect with the many businesses that will be there and to introduce them to the long list of benefits that they can gain with access to their membership in the local chamber of commerce,” she said.
Coun. Bill Windsor asked why local taxpayers should be funding the booth and related materials.
Kaczmer replied, “We consider this a great networking event and to be able to be present at it enable us to further our mandate, which we hope will really improve the business community in Didsbury and help bring the chamber back to what it used to be; it used to be a very strong driving force in this town.”
Coun. Dorothy Moore commended chamber members for their efforts in promoting the local economy.
“I’m excited for your future and I wish you all the best,” said Moore.
Coun. John Baswick said a vibrant chamber of commerce is good for the overall community and he supports the funding request.
“Thank you for doing this for our town,” said Baswick.
Mayor Rhonda Hunter says the business experience of chamber board members is invaluable to the local economy.
Council approved $601.88 for the trade show booth and related materials. Coun. Windsor voted against the motion.
“I don’t believe this is what taxpayers should be paying for. It’s not the responsibility of the taxpayers of Didsbury,” said Windsor.
