Local businesses will have the chance to connect with the village this summer as the Village of Burns Lake and the Burns Lake and District Chamber of Commerce partner in the 'Walk to Talk' event this summer.
The 'Walk to Talk' event gives local legislators the opportunity to read the pulse of the local business community, build relationships with entrepreneurs and formulate new strategies the will help to stimulate the local economy.
Every second Wednesday in July and August a team of walkers consisting of the mayor, council, village staff and a representative from the chamber will informally meet with local businesses and have a brief conversation focused around three topics.
Those topics are, how would you rate the current state of your business, what is the greatest challenge your business faces today and what can be done to help your business thrive?
These walks have been used with success in other communities across Canada, and have proven to help to strengthen local economies by retaining businesses in communities.
The information that is gathered by the village and staff will be used in a number of ways including, helping to identify needed programs and services for the community, as well as helping to update current policies, such as the Official Community Plan.
"Business walks provide the opportunity for small business owners to share their ideas directly to local leaders, which will help identify clear and effective opportunities to strengthen our local business climate," Mayor Luke Strimbold said, "local businesses are the backbone of Burns Lake and we know how critical it is that the voice of the small business be heard."