Representatives of chambers of commerce from across the southeast converged on Cranbrook early this month for a regional meeting. In the opinion of the Castlegar chamber’s executive director Tammy Verigin-Burk, the experience was inspiring and productive. Also making the trip east was local chamber president Stuart Ady.
Personnel from Rossland, Trail, Castlegar, Nelson, Cranbrook, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, Radium and Golden populated the get-together.
The early September event was a follow-up to a session held about six months ago.
“We were looking to see if there was value in all the East and West Kootenay chambers meeting on a semi-annual or annual basis,” said Verigin-Burk, “so we could really work together on issues we’re all facing.” Also to be determined during this kind of forum, as organizers decided, would be whether there are issues of a provincial nature that the southeast chambers could put their collective weight behind. “…that we could actually send in our recommendations,” as Verigin-Burk put it during a September 23 interview.
One of the critical issues facing our neighbours to the east, and quite possibly our own communities before too long, pertains to foreign workers. The Castlegar contingent heard, for example, of tourism-related businesses being hurt by the challenge of finding enough employees.
“They need a lot of help,” said Verigin Burk, “and sometimes it’s seasonal.”
Airport access was another key topic addressed by the group of about 20 attendees, specifically, making every effort to ensure this area is as accessible as possible.
“What can we do to support initiatives that are already on the go?”
Perhaps the biggest issue tackled by the brainstorming group related to the so-called “trades-drain” from across the region, how to counteract the exodus of important, qualified workers to the allure of lucrative northern employment.
“It’s a real tough one,” Verigin-Burk agreed. Another part that goes along with that is young folks, entering the workforce, are joining the northern shift. “It’s not just the journeymen tradespeople,” she pointed out. “It’s people right from the get-go.”
Steps such as government recruitment measures, like the effort made to attract nurses some years back, are being promoted by the collective regional chambers of commerce, described Verigin-Burk.
All things considered, the journey and the involvement were well worth it according to to the Castlegar chamber’s executive director.
“I know we all found incredible value in the meetings,” she said of the sessions.
“The sharing of information,” said Verigin when asked for a closing comment on what inspired her in Cranbrook. “Any idea that comes up, someone has probably had it before. So rather than re-inventing the wheel, we can share resources and great ideas.”