By Don Urquhart, Times-Chronicle

After two difficult pandemic years for businesses the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce (SOCC) says this year will be “challenging” as it works to build membership, currently numbering 236. 

In a presentation to Osoyoos Town Council, SOCC Manager Denise Blashko said despite surviving the turbulence of the last two years, it was just too taxing for some businesses that shut down for good.

“This will be our challenging year, people made it through the last couple of years but we’re starting to see a few of them retire early because that was just hard for them and they are closing now because they’ve stretched their money too thin and they’re getting out while they can.”

Blashko said next year will be a big year for membership renewal, but the push is on now because the Chamber is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. 

Covering some of the key issues raised by the Chamber’s membership, Blashko highlighted the desire for better communication and coordination between the Chamber, the Town of Osoyoos and local businesses. This includes “more coordination on the beautification and activation of the downtown,” she said.

The Chamber is also planning on starting up a newsletter aimed specifically at downtown businesses. In October the previously annual business walk along Main Street will take place with the Chamber planning to extend an invitation to Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff. The idea is to meet and greet downtown business owners. 

The other key issue that came up “over and over again” is the issue of food security, Blashko said. “As we saw with the floods it was just kind of shocking that we didn’t have some food and yet we had farmers in the region driving to Vancouver to take their food because we didn’t have any place to bring it here easily,” she said.

“So we know for sure that advocating on behalf of rural businesses and food security will get brought forward to our new board members.”

The SOCC will not be participating in the provincial AGM this June in Prince George, according to Blashko, who said no advocacy committee had been formed, but issues will be taken forward by the SOCC’s Okanagan counterparts who will be attending.