The Morris and District Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local businesses to step up and help form their community from the inside by becoming board members.
When local businesses work together to create growth through leadership, the entire community will feel the impact, suggested chamber president Cheryl Demarcke.
“A functioning chamber of active businesses and board members can do amazing things,” said Demarcke, who looked to the examples of the Altona and St. Pierre Jolys chambers of commerce with strong participation driving change in their communities.
“We have many registered businesses within our chamber, but we need owners to step up and provide support to all. The chamber is a facilitator for businesses, providing communication with all levels of government.”
With a larger board presence, Demarcke would love to expand collaboration to include the nearby RMs of Emerson-Franklin and Montcalm.
“Highway 75 runs through many communities down to the US border, and we would all benefit by working together.”
Long-time chamber administrative assistant Cheryl Crick encourages businesses to come to meetings the second Tuesday of every month and engage with the board so they can directly influence the growth of the area.
“The chamber is here to support businesses in the community through the popular insurance plan but also in listening to how we can help local businesses.”
There is always the opportunity for skill building and personal development through the chamber, she added.
Santa Lucia Pizza, which has been operating in Morris for the last 20 year, sees the benefit of the chamber.
“I don’t remember a time we haven’t been a part of the chamber of commerce,” shared Natasha Simeonidis, operator of the restaurant. “The chamber makes efforts to be visible in our community, like at Stampede kickoff.”
Until COVID-19 stalled the event in 2020, the chamber acknowledged active businesses in an annual awards ceremony, and Santa Lucia won business of the year in 2018.
“It was wonderful to be recognized as a business that tries our best to support our community and maintain business at the same time,” said Simeonidis.
Stronger advocacy for businesses can lead to improvements in town infrastructure, making the area appeal to new entrepreneurs and potential residents and drive more traffic to the area, noted Demarcke.
“Morris has the new day care, the recent pool renovation,” she said, noting how it showcases positive changes to the community.
This year, the chamber hosted a successful spring job fair attended by over 20 local businesses and job seekers of all ages.
The Manitoba Stampede kickoff drew hundreds of attendees to Morris. Upcoming events include the ring of influence at the Morris curling club’s Dekalb superspiel Nov. 21-24 and the chamber’s potluck and puzzle competition and annual meeting Dec. 5.
