(File photo/northeastnow Staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Melfort Trade Alliance and Chamber of Commerce

Breakfast meet-and-greet reveals local businesses going through very similar issues

Jun 8, 2022 | 3:14 PM

The Melfort Trade Alliance and Chamber of Commerce (MTACC) recently held their monthly breakfast meet-and-greet.

Although used as an informal discussion for local businesses, the owners revealed how they are all facing similar issues.

Recent and continuing inflation all across our nation and the entire globe is making it more and more difficult for small businesses to keep up. Issues such as cost of goods, shipping and gas were all top of mind.

MTACC executive director Cam Lee said despite the purpose of the meet-and-greet being held to ‘keep in touch’ and talk about ‘anything and everything”, outside of the business world, it’s difficult for hot button issues to not come up.

“Every business is facing the same issues,” he said. “Despite the wide variety of businesses in Melfort, a lot of the issues are pretty similar, you know, just the rising costs of running a business and the difficulty of running a business when it’s hard to find staff to be able to work.

Out of this World

WATCH: Canadian Space Agency's first space to Earth video call with Jeremy Hansen

1h ago

Iran War

Iran calls on public to find 'enemy pilot' as U.S. continues frantic search

6h ago

Cheese recall

Co-op product sold in Sask. among items recalled over listeria concerns: CFIA

6h ago

“The supply chain issues, too, a lot of people are having difficulty getting items in.”

There may be a way for local businesses to fix one of those issues, however, especially with warmer weather coming and the younger generation looking to make an impact.

“With it being summer, a lot of the high school students are maybe a little more available to work, you know, closer to full time, or at least part time, but more hours and more of them are available. Some are coming back from university as well.”

And along with the additional staff, hopefully, comes additional customers.

“Hopefully, this summer greets us with some good weather so people are able to kind of get out and experience what Melfort has to offer,” said Lee. “Melfort is kind of one of the last stops before lake country, so it’s a great place to stop and, you know, get your cooler filled up and all that sort of thing before you head out to the lake or go camping or whatever you’re going to do in the summer.”

Lee also mentioned should any businesses or anyone at all have any questions or concerns to message him or the MTACC directly, or to join them at their meet-and-greets, something they hope to increase with some evening meetings as well.

–

Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8