It takes a village has never rung more true, especially for business owners and entrepreneurs in Okotoks.
With the pandemic closing some doors and forcing others to rethink the way they conduct business through online and delivery systems, many owners are questioning just how long they can maintain this status quo, and how they will rebuild in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Enter the Town of Okotoks, the Okotoks Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, and the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce.
These three entities are working together to ensure business owners stay apprised of what's happening in the community, in economic development at the municipal, provincial and federal levels, and providing insight as to how to keep cash flowing during a difficult time.
A two-year plan - which still has to be approved by council later this month - has been presented to the Okotoks Emergency Advisory Committee and outlines new economic development strategies and priorities for the Town for the second half of 2020 as well as into 2021, because recovery is going to be a long and arduous road for many.
As Angela Groeneveld said, businesses in Okotoks are in for a long haul, but the Town, Chamber and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem are working hard to provide resources, planning and hope for local owners so the economic climate of Okotoks and area doesn't falter under the pressure of rebuilding post-pandemic.
It's not an easy task, but these three groups are determined to see it through.
Working together is the key to keeping business afloat during this time, and it will take the insight, perspective and expertise of many hands to put this puzzle back together.
Unity and collaboration will be the glue that keeps those pieces in place.
