The Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce welcomed old and new board members during the annual general meeting on April 5. Pictured (L to R) Back: Cori Norman, Mike Pulice, Megan Getty, Greg Riou, Mike Yager, Chris Hergott. Front: Alyssa Hinz, Jennifer Brooks, Tammy Ward, and Anne Thomas. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

By Becky Zimmer

Chamber looks back on successes of 2021 during AGM

Apr 5, 2022 | 3:29 PM

The Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce had plenty of positives to acknowledge during their annual general meeting today.

Board member Anne Thomas of Humboldt’s MNP chaired the meeting since chamber president Brent Walker was unable to attend. Thomas said 2021 was an exciting year for local businesses and the chamber.

“We did have lots of changes happening, so we’re kind of continually adapting throughout the year to the changing business environment around us. As any business here, we kind of moved through the uncertainty of the pandemic but also started working on many different opportunities that arose throughout the years.”

Thomas also said the chamber has been reviewing their strategic plan during this time to ensure the mandate of the chamber remains their focus as the business model changes in Humboldt, especially with the BHP Jansen project.

“We’re gonna just keep reviewing the direction of the changes to make sure that it’s in alignment with what our purpose is.”

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Thomas also took members through the financial statements.

The chamber saw a $79,000-increase in cash position over 2020 and many positives in terms of revenue streams, including incoming grants and an increase in campground usage over 2020. For some elements of the chamber where they saw a decrease in revenue, that was also reflected in the decrease of expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Membership also remained consistent from 2020 to 2021.

While 2021 was full of challenges for the chamber, executive director Brent Fitzpatrick was quick to mention the highlights from the year.

Receiving 22 cases of rapid test kits from the Saskatchewan Health Authority following the closure of the testing site at the Humboldt Uniplex, Fitzpatrick said they distributed the cases to local businesses as well as had them available for the public.

“It was so nice to be able to do something active in the pandemic that we were able to help make a difference for folks.”

Another program they were able to offer through a $10,000 grant from the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce was their TEN project, a project that brought awareness of Indigenoous issues and opportunities to the regional businesses. A partnership with the City of Humboldt’s Cultural Services Department and Elan Buan with Schollie Research to facilitate the program brought the project to more people, said Fitzpatrick. Walker and Humboldt mayor, Michael Behiel, were also invited to participate in National Indigenous Day at Horizon School Division as a result of the project, said Fitzpatrick.

This is something that the chamber already plans to continue, even with no funding available.

“That’s just a project they feel and believe in so it’s going to continue and actually it’s beginning again already.”

Through grants they were also able to purchase their own digital equipment to produce their own Shop Local—Because It Matters video series for social media. Fitzpatrick told northeastNOW the equipment is also available to members for video content creation as well as for the chamber to create more videos highlighting local businesses.

Other events they were able to put on was the drive-thru trick or treating at the campgrounds with help from Big Brother Big Sister volunteers, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony as part of the Moonlight Madness event.

Through the engagement of the Kristal Hart and her staff this summer, Fitzpatrick also reported that they received a new addition to the campgrounds in the form of a new septic tank courtesy of Silverline Construction.

Silverline crews have been camping in Humboldt as they work on the new Pattison Agriculture building east of the city. Through staff engaging with them, both crews connected on what the campgrounds need and what Silverline can contribute to the site, said Fitzpatrick.

Four new board members were also welcomed during the AGM. Megan Getty with RBC, Jennifer Brooks with Carlton Trail College, Mike Yager with Spotlight Sport & Corporate Wear Ltd., Elan Buan and Schollie Consulting, and Greg Riou of REACT Waste Management joined the seven returning members of the board.

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim