DIDSBURY – While the impending closure of the RBC branch in Didsbury is not great news, a number of other businesses, both old and new, are doing well, officials say.
In Didsbury, the town issued 53 more licences in 2017 than in 2016. There were 21 local businesses that opened including stores and home occupations.
Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter said that council values local businesses and is hoping to meet with owners in the near future.
"We will be having a discussion regarding scheduling to have a meeting with businesses and will be sharing ideas with the Didsbury and District Chamber of Commerce to set a date and time for such a meeting," said Hunter. "We are really looking forward to both meetings and see this as being very valuable to council and hopefully to our developers and businesses."
Hunter said council has directed administration to set up a roundtable for council and developers for the end of February.
"The meeting will be an information sharing session with developers and council, working to form positive relationships with developers in our town and gaining valuable information that will be beneficial for all parties and for gaining insight as to what we can do better for our development in our town, and we will be working diligently towards that in the coming years.
"It is also notable that the town approved four subdivision applications in the fourth quarter. A great sign that development is on the rise."
Council welcomes any and all new businesses into Didsbury and "we wish them every success as they grow their business here," she said.
"There is a very impressive and positive trend of shopping local that is being endorsed in our community, and that is always great news for all business, established and new, as well as everyone who makes Didsbury their home," she said.
One of the new businesses which started in Didsbury last year is Training for Warrior, which is a fitness program/training facility.
Owner and head coach Matt Mantai and his business have already made an impact for many people in the area.
The business recently won an award for "Best Start-up" for the worldwide company. He picked up the award at a summit in North Carolina in early January.
"Even though the franchises are all over the world, we got the best start-up award here in Didsbury of all places," said Mantai. "It's just because the success and the growth has been so explosive. We've only been open for six months and are at full capacity."
Brian Chita, chairman of the Didsbury and District Chamber of Commerce, told the Gazette that the economic downturn over the past two years has taken a toll on business.
"The good news is that the economy is bouncing back, and Didsbury, being a smaller community has continued to have the consistent local shopping in retail and professional," said Chita. "The outlook is positive. Coming off a recent municipal election, a council looking to foster growth and development, springs on the local economy over time."
Chita stressed that things don't change overnight but "steps, regardless of size, are always welcomed towards making Didsbury a place to grow."
"The last quarter, 14 new business licences have been issued," he said. "Smaller communities always foster entrepreneur ideas."
The chamber now has a small business centre, located at the railway station, with affordable offices, printing, a meeting space and Internet to help the startup business, said Chita.
"With the new upcoming breakfast series, having experienced speakers that have gone through startup, will be able to bring their wisdom and help avoid some of the business pitfalls," he said. "Didsbury is very healthy and can position itself for growth in the future."
