On April 12, the Niverville Chamber of Commerce held their annual general meeting, awards, and dinner at the Heritage Centre. Chamber members celebrated the year’s achievements alongside several notable guests, including Niverville mayor Myron Dyck, MLA Ron Schuler, Minister of Economic Development Jamie Moses, and Craig Tomlinson, representing MP Ted Falk.
The evening also featured a keynote presentation, networking time, and discussion panel featuring Sparkline Autoworks and Forgotten Flavours, who won New Business of the Year. The locally owned bakery began operating their home commercial kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now preparing to open a full-scale bakery and storefront at 69 Main Street.
Other award-winners included Ray Dowse, who won the Alex Fast Memorial Sr. Award for not only working to attract a vast number of businesses to town, but his volunteer work as coach and committee member in support of numerous associations, fundraisers, and initiatives.
Ell-Vi Medspa won for Outstanding Customer Service, honouring the work of nurse injector Holly, who provides medical aesthetics, cosmetic injectables, medical grade skincare, and personalized skin treatments at the Done Hair, Skin and Nails salon.
Business of the Year was awarded to Whitetail Meadow, a family-owned and operated establishment with a cafe, event pavilion, guest cottage, and market.
For Elvin Krahn, this was the first AGM and awards dinner as president of the Niverville Chamber. Krahn works as manager of the Business Centre for the Business Development Bank of Canada. Having been part of the Chamber as a board member since 2018, Krahn also served as treasurer and vice president prior to accepting the role as president in April 2022.
In Krahn’s view, one of the Chamber’s biggest changes this year involved adapting service offerings to suit their growing membership.
“I think the Chamber is executing our strategic plan, and evolving and adapting our service offerings to our membership growth,” says Krahn. “Second to that, and perhaps an addition to past efforts, we have worked to bring greater awareness to government and others around opportunities that bring impact to our community.”
To grow key relationships with those in important government roles, the Chamber has worked hard to invite key political figures, influencers, and developers to Niverville, taking time to show them around and talking about the needs of the community and what’s happened here in recent years.
Looking to the future, Krahn says that most business owners are working to evaluate costs and return on investment for their time, energy, and resources so they can continue to carry the local economy forward.
“I think business owners are evaluating costs, especially in light of inflation and interest rates, and this is followed closely by employee talent and retention. Opportunities exist, but it comes at a time when costs, labour, and competition have impact,” says Krahn. “Every year it is important to think about business goals, the economy, and the situational landscape. Taking inventory of advantages you have in your industry, growth areas, and then work out a planned strategy to get you there.”
