MELFORT — The Melfort Trade Alliance is seeking to expand its membership of Melfort business owners and non-profit organization heads so it can evolve into a new chamber of commerce.
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. As a result, the Melfort Business Revitalization Corporation evolved into the Melfort Trade Alliance to represent local business interests.
“We’re, right now, being run by business owners, managers and leaders in the community and trying to make businesses more viable in the Melfort area,” said Tyler Fahlman, the alliance’s chair.
Currently, the alliance is focused on being a network to provide information to help endure the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fahlman said they want to transition that into more of a supportive role for Melfort businesses.
“If it becomes a chamber, we have more ability to lobby at a higher level of government, so more ability to lobby for the interests of Melfort businesses through the city, through the provincial government, and in the future hopefully we can look at doing some lobbying with our Member of Parliament as well.”
To become recognized by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, potential chambers are required to follow certain rules and regulations.
“It is not a short process. We’re right now in the process of laying the groundwork to become a chamber, but it is a lot of work and right now the board of nine members is not enough,” Fahlman said. “We’re looking for members to join us in moving forward and help us to become a chamber of commerce.”
Fahlman said all businesses in Melfort have been sent an email about their plan moving forward, and the costs for membership. To contact the Melfort Trade Alliance, he said, the best method is to email the organization at trademelfort@melfort.ca.
“Currently we’re made up of very busy business owners that are trying to get this off the ground.”
