Over the last two years small businesses have faced unprecedented challenges as they have been asked to make numerous changes to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce have been working with members to help them continue to thrive in spite of these difficulties.
Chamber services coordinator Marley Henneigh tells the Mail, “The Chamber has stayed quite busy throughout the year assisting businesses with COVID restriction information and resources.”
She adds membership has held steady over the last year, and “quite a few” of new businesses which have opened recently in the valley are women-owned.
In June, the Chamber received federal funding to run the Shop Local campaign until the end of 2021; among the initiatives include Chamber Cash, a local gift certificate program designed to keep money circulating within the community, and the Love Local video project which has allowed the chamber to highlight local small businesses with professional promotional videos.
The Chamber also got the community involved with two initiatives.
Mission Possible was a four-week activity which encouraged locals to complete a variety of tasks to win prizes; Henneigh shares that a holiday-themed version is set to begin in November.
Locals are also encouraged to nominate businesses who continue to give great customer service with the Customer Service Superstars giveaway. Henneigh says the giveaway is a way to boost the spirits of local business owners and staff who may be experiencing burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 50 locals have been nominated as of Sunday, October 17; a list of all nominations will be posted to the Chamber website.
