INNISFAIL – The Innisfail & District Chamber of Commerce is getting $5,000 of financial assistance from the Town of Innisfail to hire a consultant to facilitate the development of a strategic plan.
During council’s Agenda & Priorities meeting on July 17, Blaine Staples, president of the local chamber, made a presentation for the request, which he said was essential for his organization to move forward.
In a chamber update document that was offered to council members and made public, the organization stated it wants to complete a strategic planning session to develop priorities for the next three to five years.
The document also said the chamber plans to determine areas where revenue can be increased.
As well, there are plans to finalize a decision on how to move forward with its electronic sign, which has become more expensive to maintain.
“The chamber is not in great shape financially following some struggles post-COVID and a solid strategic plan is essential for us to move forward and to continue to be an asset to the business community,” Staples told council. “It is our feeling that Eric Burton of the Factor 5 Group, who has been working with the town to develop the Power of Place initiative, is a great choice to align our strategic goals with those of the town.”
Staples told council the chamber had been able to negotiate a reduced fee for the services of Factor 5 Group; a fee that had earlier been estimated to be $10,000.
“We've offered to take on some of the documentation and development of the materials coming out of the strategic planning session ourselves, and also just keep it down to a one-day session,” Staples told council, adding he was confident the Chamber would still get full value with a condensed version of consultant support.
However, with the cost now reduced to $5,000, council was told the chamber still does not have the resources to go forward alone and required Town of Innisfail support. Staples added the chamber would also settle for a loan.
Coun. Dale Dunham said the original ask of $10,000 was a “little bit much” for him to digest but $5,000 was “much more reasonable.”
“I think I'm going to throw my vote behind this because I really see the value in it, and the fact that you've been able to negotiate it (cost) down to where you would really set the chamber on a good direction,” said Dunham.
He added the town has had good value with its partnership with the chamber during its work on the Community Economic Development Committee, which is driven by the Power of Place strategy.
Council unanimously approved the motion to approve funding of $5,000 from the 2023 Economic Development Operational Budget for the chamber to hire Factor 5 Group.
Following the motion, Staples told the Albertan council’s approval was “excellent news” for the chamber, adding he’s more optimistic than ever for his organization’s future.
“It’s awesome they would help us out in that way and it shows how we’re moving forward together as a team,” said Staples. “We've got the opportunity to put a real good strategic plan together and really develop a good way forward.”
