The City of Lloydminster has a positive business outlook for 2022 despite supply chain concerns. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Think Lloyd first

Lloydminster business community trending, despite supply chain concerns

Dec 20, 2021 | 4:26 PM

As the Border City heads into the holidays, there’s optimism about the community’s economic future.

While Lloydminster has seen a number of challenges in the past decade and through the pandemic, Mayor Gerald Aalbers said they’ve seen an increase in business licenses. This marks a change from several years, when the oil industry’s drought coincided with an economic downturn. Aalbers noted the increase is present through more than a couple of large corporations.

“That’s made up on everything from home-based businesses to major businesses that take up sign frontage on Highway 16,” he said.

Earlier this month, the city was recognized by the province for marketing innovation, thanks to its Think Lloyd First campaign. Aalbers said it’s gratifying for administration to have received the award given the focus on helping residents focus on supporting local businesses.

(Submitted photo/City of Lloydminster)

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“Those are our friends, neighbors and family,” he said. “It’s so important that we spend those dollars right here at home if we have the opportunity.”

Aalbers also spoke to some optimism within the business community on oil prices and available projects. Lloydminster’s two high schools are the beneficiary of massive renovations, with Holy Rosary‘s now underway.

The mayor stressed that seeing education growth is critical for the next generation of Lloyd residents and that having construction projects take place is another big positive. Work is also progressing on a new fire hall and the waste water treatment plant.

“It bodes well for local jobs, sub-trades and suppliers,” he said.

Traffic has picked up for storefronts, the local mall and other centres, while there’s also planning ahead for large events this coming year for the chuckwagon season and for down the road at the 2024 Summer Games.

Aalbers noted pandemic restrictions and supply chain delays remain challenges, the movements of rails out of B.C. is encouraging.

“Hopefully we’ll get through this season where people can find their gifts and we’ll get the shelves restocked for next year,” he said. “We’re well set up to go into 2022 on a positive.”

Busy schedule, supply shortage looming

The market outlook has been largely positive for the Lloydminster Construction Association (LCA) since summer of 2020. LCA president Scot Zacow said after the initial slow period from lockdowns the industry became extremely busy with lots of projects coming in from government funding.

“Kind of taking a step towards coming back towards some kind of normal,” he said.

Over the past seven years, Zacow said few people were doing maintenance projects because there wasn’t any money to do so. In the pandemic, some businesses were able to save on costs in the past year, which has allowed for spending on renovations and new spaces.

“Everybody hoarded their money almost and they’re itching to spend,” Zacow said. “We’re busy right through next summer already.”

However, supplies remain a concern for the industry. Zacow said prices on some materials have risen upwards of 500 per cent and deliveries have accrued absurd charges. Delays, such as for a generator for the new fire hall ordered back in July, are also a concern.

“Shortage on raw materials for labour, floods in B.C. holding things up, just one thing after another,” Zacow said.

While most businesses are managing so far, Zacow said he believes this will catch up to everyone eventually, even with some movement now out of B.C.

“Come time when everyone wants to be building, they’re not going to have the materials to build,” he said. “I’m hoping I’m wrong, but there could be a lull.”

In the meantime, Zacow pointed to the school renovations and construction of a new Canadian Tire store and a whole new commercial development, as reasons to stay optimistic.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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