Local businesses face perfect storm, says Chamber head

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on January 30, 2025.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce wants to see an environment created  where businesses and their employees can thrive.
For businesses to survive and thrive, regulations need to be  streamlined and roadblocks removed, the audience at Lethbridge East  MLA Nathan Neudorf’s fireside chat heard on Tuesday from Chamber  president Cyndi Crane.
Crane also addressed the closure across Canada of all Peavey Mart locations, a business with roots dating back to 1967 which “has been a  pillar in many of our communities for decades, especially our smaller  rural areas.
“Its closure is not just a loss of jobs or a retail location, it’s a  poignant reminder of the broader challenges that businesses — large  and small — are grappling with every day,” said Crane in her opening address before Neudorf’s talk.
“Businesses today are navigating a perfect storm. Record low consumer  confidence, people are holding tighter to their wallets” as they fall  victim to economic uncertainty,” Crane said.
Inflationary pressures and rising costs are eroding purchasing power for consumers and margins for businesses, escalating operating costs from utilities to rent and wages.
“Businesses are squeezed tighter than ever,” said Crane.
The ripple effects of global instability have made it harder and more  expensive for businesses to get the products they need, said Crane.
And while well intentioned, some regulations “can become roadblocks adding complexity and cost to doing business. What can we do?” asked  Crane.
“In moments like this, it’s very easy to feel defeated,” said Crane, adding she believes strongly in the resilience of Lethbridge’s business community.
She told Neudorf that with his leadership and collaboration across all  evels of government, there can be a focus on solutions “that will make a meaningful difference. Let’s streamline regulation. Businesses  are asking for a regulatory environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. Simplifying processes can go a long way to reducing  costs and support small businesses. This can have a ripple effect throughout the economy,” Crane added.
Workforce supports are needed with inflation impacting businesses.  Such supports could include programs that include access to affordable  child care, housing and education which would help stabilize the  workforce, Crane said.
And temporary tax breaks or subsidies for struggling sectors could  “provide immediate relief while we work toward long-term solutions,”  added Crane.
She told Neudorf, who also serves as provincial minister of Affordability and Utilities, that she knows he shares the Chamber’s commitment to fostering a thriving, resilient economy and the local  business community stands ready to partner with the Alberta government on practical solutions to challenges whether through policy advocacy,  workforce development initiatives or programs that spur innovation  “we’re all invested in seeing Alberta succeed.”
The Chamber president added “let us use this moment to double down on our efforts to create an environment where business can grow and serve their communities for generations to come.”

3
-2