By Angela Brown

Business Matters

Chamber finishes year with surplus

Feb 5, 2019 | 4:58 PM

The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce wrapped up 2018 with a surplus.

Diego Roa, on behalf of Swanson Gryba and Company chartered professional accountants, presented the latest financial report to the chamber board of directors, at the annual general meeting.

Based on the 2018 year-end financial statement, the Chamber finished the period with a surplus of about $3,095.

While the original budget projected a $11,500 surplus, executive director Linda Machniak told battlefordsNOW there were likely several factors influencing the final tally. The chamber had slightly fewer active members in 2018. As well, its revenue for the year is dependent on when members pay their fees. Another factor is that out-of-town businesses that may join the chamber only for the time while they are working on a certain project.

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She said chamber staff plan to work this year on signing more members beyond the already registered 330.

For its 2019 budget, the chamber is projecting a surplus of about $5,350.

The chamber is also planning some new projects ahead. “We’ll have more to say when we are ready to launch those,” said Machniak. “We’ve budgeted for two or three different new (projects) we’re going to do this year.”

Machniak said 2018 was a successful one.

For Action Battlefords started last year — the chamber’s project to reduce crime, promote youth activities and raise the Battlefords profile as a good place to do business — the project received $35,286 in support in 2018. A total of $12,136 was spent, leaving $23,150 remaining as deferred revenue for 2019 to cover expenses for the program. Action Battlefords is tracked separately from other chamber initiatives. Currently the project has a contract for public relations services underway to promote the Battlefords. The campaign will run for six months and then will be assessed.

Machniak said some of the highlights from 2018 include the Battlefords Business Excellence (BBEX) Awards which marked the event’s 25th anniversary – “a big milestone for the chamber.”

“I think it was a successful year on many fronts, not only financially,” she said, adding the chamber was also involved in a number of educational projects, which included hosting guest speakers.

Last year also included more advocacy work, Machniak said. She highlighted topics including carbon tax, expanded PST fees and determining the impact of cannabis legislation.

—
angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow