City council meeting. (File photo/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By battlefordsNOW staff

2025 STATE OF THE CITY ADRESS

Battlefords chamber optimistic ahead of Mayor’s State of the City Address

Mar 5, 2025 | 5:33 PM

Big questions about North Battleford’s future could be answered next week as Mayor Kelly Hawtin delivers her State of the City Address on March 12 at the Dekker Centre.

Business leaders are eager to hear the city’s plans for economic growth, investment, and public safety.

Glenda Rye, Chair of the Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce, said strengthening regional partnerships and expanding businesses are key priorities.

“It’s very exciting to see that strengthening regional partnerships is a priority, and we’re very excited to find out what the major projects will be,” Rye said. “As the Chamber, we’re very much looking forward to hearing about economic development.”

Business growth is crucial—North Battleford needs more businesses here with good-paying jobs, she added.

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Chamber Chief Operating Officer Linda Machniak highlighted ongoing efforts to attract investment and promote North Battleford’s advantages.

“We need to promote the community and the benefits we offer, and I know the city is doing that,” she said. “Their economic development team, along with the mayor, were recently in Whistler, B.C., at a forum for retail and shopping mall developments to help bring people [investment] here.”

The Chamber is also monitoring potential updates to zoning bylaws and the official community plan, which could affect business regulations.

“We know the city is reviewing the zoning bylaws and the official community plan,” Machniak said.

“Those things are really important to us because the zoning bylaw for businesses is the roadmap of what people can do, and so they’re looking at eliminating some of the barriers for people in some respects.”

The Chamber is also closely watching property tax reassessments, which could impact businesses.

“It’s a reassessment year in the province, and the city still has to generate the same amount of tax revenue,” Machniak said. “That might mean a mill rate adjustment, so we’ll be watching closely. The new assessment values should be out next week.”

Public safety is another key concern expected to be addressed in the mayor’s speech.

“Safety is important, but it’s a community-wide issue, not unique to the Battlefords,” Machniak said. “It’ll be interesting to hear what they have to say.”

Tickets for the event are available online through the city’s website.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

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