As sweeping COVID-19 restrictions took effect this past week, the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to stay safe, follow provincial health orders and support local as best they can.
The Steinbach Chamber reports that local businesses have been doing their best to adapt to the ever-changing protocols. Although the impact has been significant, especially for small business, the overall general sentiment in our community remains positive. Businesses are staying informed and adhering to public health protocols.
“Our local business community continues to be very innovative and resilient,” said Michelle Bezditny, Executive Director for the Steinbach Chamber. “Many have adapted their business operations to include e-commerce opportunities, deliveries, online office lunch orders, collaboration possibilities, etc. It is also critical during code red that our community continues to support local more now than ever before as we head into the holiday season. We often talk about supporting local, but we also need to talk about why supporting local is so important.”
The Steinbach Chamber continues to be a support organization, and by leveraging the larger provincial Chamber network, they continue to communicate current pandemic information to the business community in the region. Some businesses have temporarily closed, but the Chamber says that it is important to support those that remain open.
“Our businesses care deeply about our region and give back to our not-for-profit organizations,” said Bezditny. “Not-for-profit organizations rely on the success of local businesses as many of these businesses consider social responsibility and philanthropy a priority. Secondly, our local businesses hire a local workforce so individuals and families live, work, and play in our region which speaks to economic growth and community wellness.”
The Steinbach Chamber strongly encourages all residents in southeastern Manitoba to follow public health advice and guidelines to protect one another, protect businesses during this pandemic and, eventually, get back to a more normal life.
