HUMBOLDT — After a year of rapid change, the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce is expecting 2019 to be one of stability and growth.
“This past year was, as everyone is aware, an unprecedented one and we are still evolving everyday,” said Dan Torwalt, the chamber’s president, at its annual general meeting March 28.
Changes included the hiring of a new executive director, Brent Fitzpatrick, at the end of October 2018; a new website; and a trade show that took place earlier in the year at a new location, the Humboldt Curling Club.
Financially, the chamber saw a more than $9,000 loss in the 2018 fiscal year, compared to $500 lost in 2017. In 2017 the chamber had revenues of $171,650 and expenses of $172,150, while in 2018, revenues were $151,000 and expenses were $160,000.
Rainy weather harmed one of the largest revenue generators in 2018, the campsite, which ran at a loss of nearly $4,000. In 2017, with excellent weather, it generated more than $21,000.
“Those are things that you just have to deal with, like a farmer getting a frost or a drought. Every year is not going to be up, so you just got to stay on top of stuff like that,” Torwalt said, adding members expect the chamber to be financially stable and keeping it that way is a job the board of directors takes seriously.
The chamber is planning to undertake a membership drive. It has around 230 members now, is aiming for 250 members in the short term and 300 members in the long term.
“The biggest thing is getting out there, approaching businesses,” Torwalt said. “We probably haven't done enough of that, finding out the new businesses and making them aware of what we can do for them.”
The chamber provides members with an insurance plan, a place to network and a way to advocate on both the civic and provincial levels.
All of the members of the chamber’s board of directors have returned for another year, and two more have joined on.
Brent Walker has been involved in many different chambers of commerce as he’s moved from community to community.
“I just believe it's a great advocate for all the businesses, [a way] to be able to voice their opinion, and for us to act on behalf of the businesses of Humboldt,” he said. “It’s just something that I've done in the past and I’ve really liked it. I just want to continue that.”
Mike Pulice has in Humboldt longer than Walker but is new to being part of the chamber's board of directors.
“I’ve been a member for several years, almost 10 years, so I figured I'd try to do my part and see what I can help out with.”
