Town backs business support proposal

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore town council approved support for a proposed program to help entrepreneurs market their business and manage their mental health.

The program is being proposed by Community Futures (CF) Wild Rose, a local business development organization, which is seeking a grant to help fund it. To support this grant application, CF Wild Rose requested financial backing from municipalities in its area.

Strathmore town council approved a $4,000 cash contribution to the initiative during its regular meeting on April 7. The motion passed 6-0, with Mayor Pat Fule not in attendance.

These funds were available within the town’s communications, marketing and economic development budget. The town will also support the program through in-kind contributions of marketing and promotion.

CF Wild Rose will learn whether the grant is approved in mid-May. But should the program receive funding, it could help local entrepreneurs when they most need it.

The program is a response to findings from the organization’s business retention and expansion survey, which showed local small businesses need marketing support and many operators are facing mental health challenges, explained Wendy Gerbrandt, community economic development coordinator with CF Wild Rose.

The program will help businesses increase their digital presence and develop an overall marketing plan. “Maybe it’s getting online, maybe it’s expanding their social media feed or maybe it’s some product support,” said Gerbrandt.

The plan is to offer training or one-on-one consultation for businesses to develop these new approaches to marketing. 

“Action plans will be developed, so these businesses can get over the barriers they are facing,” she said.

The other part of the program, focused on mental health, will introduce business owners to recovery and resilience training, Gerbrandt explained. 

“We want to make sure that entrepreneurs are in a good space, and we want them to be able to recognize that their staff are in a good space too,” she said.

The program could help businesses pivot when many are challenged by the economy and COVID-19 public health restrictions, said Councillor Lorraine Bauer, during the meeting. Bauer cited local restaurants that have turned to new revenue sources using innovative online approaches, such as sharing recipes and newsletters, to stay afloat.