We have new Members, new Directors, and a new vision for our impact this year!
The Chamber team will vote in some new Directors in the New Year, (we could use a few more!) and at that time I will share these items below which are on my mind and heart. My personal vision for my second term as President is connection and collaboration. So much can be done as we collectively work together to make Bragg Creek a great place to live and work.
So much can be done when we communicate and share what is on our mind and what we want to do about it. Here are some of the areas I hope we will be working on this year:
Housing Rental crisis in Bragg Creek: Creekers can solve this problem
The Chamber met several times with Councillor Hanson and the new CAO about many concerns; one being the shortage of rental housing. We encouraged Councillor Hanson to come to Bragg and to answer folks questions about all things Rocky View and permits. Did you know that for the most part our land use zoning in Bragg allows for Additional Dwelling Units? This means a secondary living unit. It can be small. RVC knows we do not have enough housing for Creekers; for kids who want to move out of parents home but still live here; and for our businesses who cannot keep staff due to the cost of commuting from the City.
Creating a secondary dwelling unit on your land has many benefits for many people- aging in place, renting to a student, a local employee, or heck, even many Creekers who are displaced due to a landlord selling and who cannot find another place here.
Looking for housing volunteers: to help in the exploration of creating rental housing for Bragg Creek. It is a big undertaking. Let us form a committee to research all the grants and opportunities available as they exist. If you are a LAND OWNER and want to explore how your property can be part of the solution, please let me know. I have added Additional Dwelling Units on my land and RVC was fine to deal with. Do get your neighbours involved as they can make it an easy or difficult process. I am happy to answer your questions about the process and approaching Rocky View County.
Keep using our events calendar! Councillor Hanson meet greets
I did a random ask of folks at the Snowbirds Chalet about who knew that our Councillor had drop ins over the last two months to hear what Creekers had to say. Some didn’t. It’s hard to reach everyone – not everyone is on facebook, some don’t remember the High Country ads, or the Chamber article mentioning it. So, alas, the EVENTS CALENDAR is the place to find out about all things Bragg Creek. Please go to www.visitbraggcreek.com, things to do, events calendar. Businesses, remember to post your events.
MAPS: We need updated maps for the Kiosks, for Bragg Trails, and for places like BCCA, Trading Post and our stores who act as our Tourism Booths. We are in collaboration with Bragg Trails to do this. We also want to update our street banners and signage around the community.
How do we help our non-tourism business members?
We need your ideas. We can do a meet and greet of all businesses in Bragg and area so we all know who is who. What else can we do? I want to know!
Meeting with Travel Alberta
There are grants available for entrepreneurs three months into business and under three years.
Cameron is a very approachable representative and highly versed and experienced in Tourism.
Marketing our Business members
We have many plans for promoting you- through our website, social media and events. If you have ideas, please let me know.
Upcoming Meeting
Our next meeting is Jan 18, 7-830 PM, at The Post Conference Centre next to Ida May’s ice cream. Rocky View is bringing a speaker to discuss insurance for businesses. Please watch our newsletter for more details.
If you have questions, comments or ideas, please reach out to me, Sherri Olsen at 403-519-5998 or coach@sherriolsen.com like to hear from you. Wishing you a fantastic 2023 year ahead!
Sherri Olsen, President
Bragg Creek and Area Chamber of Commerce
