Without a healthy core of successful businesses that range in size from just a few employees to perhaps even hundreds, no community can hope to achieve long-term sustainability, let alone growth, said Mike Beukeboom, Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce president.
Potential residents certainly scrutinize public amenities such as hospitals, schools and recreational facilities. However, they also heavily weigh their decision to relocate and settle new roots not only on the number of local businesses but the quality and variety as well. Businesses are like the common glue that contributes in great part towards binding a community cohesively together, he said.
“We're all trying to achieve a better Sundre and area,” he told the Round Up during an interview last week.
“Quality of life is critical.”
Although running a business can be among the most rewarding endeavours a person can choose to pursue in life, it is also one of the most challenging goals one can embark on, he said.
So to celebrate the local businesses that make this community what it is, the chamber of commerce — along with support from the Town of Sundre and the ATB branch — will again be hosting the annual Sundre Business Awards. Additionally, Beukeboom said he actively sought support from Mountain View County as well as the remaining local financial institutions.
“We have some new partnerships this year. It feels more whole — like we have everybody who should be involved.”
An event like the business awards offers local entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet with other local leaders of the business community to shake hands as well as discuss and share their highlights and lowlights, finding along the way solace in knowing they're not alone, he said.
“We are all connected.”
The 2016 Sundre Business Awards are lined up for Friday, Oct. 21 at the Sundre Performing Arts Centre. Doors open at 6 p.m., and while there is no cost to attend there will be a cash bar available, said Beukeboom. Seating is limited, so anyone inclined to attend should RSVP through Annalise Fricker, relationship manager at ATB, by emailing [email protected].
“The one new category we've added this year is the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.”
That idea was discussed following the debriefing of last year's event, and the decision was made to introduce it this year. The new award is specifically for ingenuitive entrepreneurs aged 29 and under who have an interest in any type of business. Potential nominees can even still be students with a keen intention of developing some kind of enterprise, he said.
“That's what we want to celebrate with this award.”
Nominations can be submitted until Thursday, Oct. 13. Hard copies are available for pickup at all the local financial institutions, or anyone who is so inclined can also visit the Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page to find the online survey, he said.
In a nutshell, the business awards are “an evening when we can raise a glass and just thank everyone for being part of a wonderful community.”
