As we begin 2022, the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce is
positioned for a strong response after the last two years in a 'pandemic
economy'.
“Like so many businesses and non-profits in the county, our normal
operations were challenged as our ability to meet face to face was
diminished greatly. We decided to work on a number of initiatives that
we could control such as the development of our new website, and the
implementation of our social media strategy”, said Rick Gallant,
Chamber President.” Earlier this year, we were able to present the
amazing 'Business Unusual' on-line tribute to local citizens and
businesses who stepped up and became leaders in the darkest days of
the Pandemic. More recently, we have been partnering with the Pictou
County Regional Enterprise Network (PCREN) to support our local
businesses with a Shop Local initiative.”
Gallant said one of the most gratifying aspects for this past year has
been the unwavering support of the Chamber’s membership with over
260 businesses renewing their membership. "This is a huge
endorsement for the value we consistently strive to provide for our
members." The Chamber also welcomed many new first-time members
over the past year.
This year the Chamber has a younger and more diverse Board of
Directors who are hard at work planning out the 2022 year. "Many
people maybe don’t realise that our Chamber Board is a volunteer
Board. We are so grateful to our Board members who have dedicated
their time and energy to making the Chamber and Pictou County a
better place to live and work."
Gallant is excited about the opportunities that 2022 has in store as we
move towards a new normal for Pictou County.
“Our Signature event, the Business Achievement Awards will be back as
we celebrate our business community and how instrumental business is
to a thriving and healthy local economy. We are planning more face-to
face networking events that have been so popular with Chamber
members throughout the years, says Gallant. “We will also continue
working closely with our local partners in the Municipalities and
economic development as well as the non-profit sector, including
Healthy Pictou County as they work to recruit and retain more
physicians.”
We enter 2022 with cautious optimism for our community and
local businesses as we try to deal with the challenges currently in front
of us, and at the same time, recognizing the need to plan for a post
pandemic world in which we make a return to some kind of normal
living.
