Chamber of Commerce on the right track
Revived West Prince Chamber of Commerce is growing and providing a voice for its members
It’s been a while since businesses in West Prince have had an organized voice lobbying their interests.
And, judging by the wave of businesses – at last count more than 100 – signing up for the revived West Prince Chamber of Commerce – it appears to be long overdue.
The revived chamber held its first annual general meeting in February, and on Wednesday, took another step forward in its development by hosting a business and social mixer.
The event had presentations, and one in particular grabbed the attention of the chamber’s membership, namely, the proposed federal business tax changes.
The issue has stirred small business owners from across the country. For the chamber, this is also a concern that everyone – from farmers to pharmacy owners – can share.
The good news for business owners in West Prince is they can now funnel their concerns through the chamber and all the way up to the parent Canadian Chamber of Commerce, who is expected to be advocating for its members in Ottawa leading up to the next federal budget.
For West Prince businesses, this is another, and possibly more effect, avenue than the alternatives – calling local MPs, letter and email writing and waiting until the next federal election to take out their frustrations on the ballot.
The tax issue is also a concern for Geoffrey Irving, the chamber’s president and owner of You Move Physio in Alberton. I chatted with Irving this week about the chamber and its role in the community.
Besides the proposed federal business tax changes, another topic came up – encouraging rural immigration and growing business in the area.
This is in line with the province’s well-known plan to “recruit, retain and repatriate” the population base.
Now, I’m skeptical about the ability to attract and retain young professionals in rural areas, regardless of the province. I’m a believer that you’re more likely to migrate to an urban area. The same goes for immigrants.
But I’m more of a believer that rural immigration and new businesses are possible in West Prince, and this is where the chamber has a role.
Why? Well, in addition to Irving, the chamber is led by its executive director Tammy Rix, who is known for helping O’Leary win the Kraft Hockeyville contest.
Irving describes her as “extremely organized,” “ambitious” and a “go getter,” which will all go a long way in helping the chamber realize its goals.
But Irving is also a bit of a trend breaker – a young business owner who moved back to rural P.E.I. in 2010.
And, his business has benefited from an interesting population trend in the area – as the younger and middle-age population declines (especially in Alberton), an older demographic is moving into the area.
It seems reasonable that other businesses can grow around this demographic and point to Irving as a role model for making it work.
It’s still early in the chamber’s development. In time, we’ll get a clearer picture of its views, especially when the next provincial budget is released. But for now, it’s safe to say it appears to be on the right track.
And anytime businesses can have an organized voice speaking on their behalf, that’s a good thing.