The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce continues help businesses navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, despite their own challenges. (File Photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

In For the Long Haul

Battlefords Chamber staff keeping busy, despite challenges

Apr 27, 2020 | 2:52 PM

The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce faces similar challenges to the business owners who populate its membership.

Due to economic shutdown, the Chamber faces depleted revenue, so staff are taking steps to ensure operations for the foreseeable future. Chief Operating Officer Linda Machniak said they’ve explored multiple avenues in funding, including a work share application that was filed back in March.

“If we didn’t have revenue coming in, it would be difficult for us to continue to pay staff our full time wages moving forward,” Machniak said.

Another issue is the restrictions on public gatherings, as the Chamber relies heavily on events. Based on the province’s plan for reopening the economy, any kind of fundraising opportunity involving large gathering of people won’t occur for several months.

“It’s still going to be a very long time off before events and things like that get back on track,” Machniak said.

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In the meantime, the staff is at work with helping members with advocacy updates and providing information. Much discussion has revolved around resilience and recovery planning, which is critical for businesses set to reopen in the next few weeks.

“This group of organizations now needs to do the same thing that grocery stores and pharmacies, who’ve been open all this time, are doing,” Machniak said. “They still have to make the same adjustments.”

Regardless of phase, there’s a challenge for owners looking to slowly add staff. Machniak said the work of each business will determine how effectively members can return to a semblance of normal.

““That will be a key part for many of these businesses; the recovery [planning] and to methodically work through social distancing parametres,” she said.

Between businesses trying to survive while shut down and those who open in the coming weeks, Chamber staff can keep occupied. And while they are waiting to see what applications come back, there isn’t a close eye on the progression of maximum group numbers.

“Even into the fall, you wonder how quickly that event number will rise,” Machniak said.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports