MELFORT — The Melfort Trade Alliance has officially been recognized as a Chamber of Commerce by the Saskatchewan Chamber.
Melfort hasn’t had an active chamber since 2018, when it was revealed the chamber had a number of debts, including $36,000 in unremitted payroll expenses.
The Trade Alliance announced first in July that it was undergoing plans to shift their focus to becoming a Chamber.
“We were just an organization of businesses that were just networking,” said Tyler Fahlman, the alliance’s president.
“We felt that with the amount of work we were putting into being a trade alliance, we might as well take it the next step— become a Chamber so we have access to more information and support from the provincial Chamber.”
Fahlman, who owns Fountain Tire, moved to Melfort as the old Chamber was shutting down. He said seeing this “shocked” him.
“I really feel that as a business owner to have the Chamber of Commerce as a place to discuss problems directly with other businesses as well as opportunities with other businesses,” he said. “Not having that networking ability I think has handcuffed Melfort businesses in the past.”
Fahlman said that with the new recognition, the Trade Alliance will be hosting more training seminars and communication between their members and other Chambers.
“In the coming months there will be more changes, we’re working on a few things right now but until they come to fruition we don’t want to be discussing exactly what they are,” he said, adding that these may include resources on grant programs and resources for local businesses.
Paperwork is currently underway to change the name to Melfort Trade Alliance Chamber of Commerce.
For business members interested in becoming a member of the Melfort Trade Alliance, they are asked to reach out to Fahlman by email at Tyler.fahlman@fountaintire.com or email their board at trademelfort@melfort.ca.
