(File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Managing costs

Chamber network highlights economic moves for businesses, BBEX nominations closed

Aug 31, 2022 | 5:00 AM

The business community is welcoming some of the economic policy motions from the province.

Following Premier Scott Moe’s announcement of the government’s four-point affordability, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce welcomed the news in a release, citing the challenges members are facing with escalating costs.

CEO Prabha Ramaswamy noted in particular that the extension of the small business tax rate reduction to 2024 can help mitigate economic impacts.

“This will assist small businesses in saving costs during this time of inflation and supply chain disruptions,” Ramaswamy said.

Other elements the chamber network voiced approval of were removing fitness and gym memberships and other recreational activities from the October PST expansion, along with retiring up to $1 billion in operating debt.

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“If we have a lower cost of servicing a debt and interest rate is rising, that helps all of us,” Linda Machniak, Battlefords Chamber of Commerce chief operating officer, said to battlefordsNOW.

Tests available, cost-saving resources, votes closed

The Battlefords chamber is letting residents know that they can still access rapid tests for COVID-19 at the chamber office. Machniak said there are some organizations that have run out, but the chamber is still stocked.

“We know heading back indoors and to school this fall, people may want to have that security of having rapid tests,” she said.

Additionally, Machniak noted a story from the Business Development Bank of Canada that listed seven low-cost ways to lower a business’s carbon footprint. She said the chamber will keep sharing resources that help businesses better manage their budgets come winter.

“It’s important for people to know that lowering emissions doesn’t just have to come from measures that cost thousands of dollars,” Machniak said.

Some of the strategies included implementing smart workstations, creating transportation incentives and programming thermostats effectively.

Lastly, the chamber is going through the applications for the Battlefords Business Excellence (BBEX) Awards. Nominations for the 28^th annual running of the gala highlighting business owners and employees in the community have now closed, with the voting process for the finalists soon to follow.

However, Machniak said staff have a lot to cover, particularly for new businesses, of which there are several.

“There’s a timeline criteria of when they start their business, so we have to follow up,” she said. “The applications numbers are pretty strong and so I’m happy with that.”

The BBEX Awards will be held Nov. 7 at the Dekker Centre.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW