Big box stores will have a positive impact on Okotoks, according to the new president of the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce.

Each time a big box store like Wal-Mart opens in Okotoks, the town becomes more of a commercial hub for the foothills region according to chamber president Bev Carlson.

In her experience Carlson has found people come all the way from Lethbridge to shop in Okotoks because the town has more stores to offer.

The Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce held its annual general meeting Jan. 20. Among the executive members elected were from left, Nancy Van Kasteren, Beth Kish, Bev Carlson, Gordon Brost and Cathy Huth.

“The chamber supports businesses, that’s what we are there for, for education, training, any of these kinds of things that we can do,” said Carlson, who operates Ardiel Agencies.

Cathy Huth is past-president of the chamber of commerce and she disagrees with the negative reaction people have to big box stores coming to Okotoks.

“When Wal-Mart came, they realized that we became a trade centre for a much larger area, it draws even more traffic into Okotoks and all business benefits from that,” said Huth.

On Jan. 20, the chamber held its annual general meeting and elected new executive members and retained some former ones. Carlson said the chamber’s executive has good continuity and the changing of the guard will be seamless.

Huth, from the Eagle 100.9, has been with the chamber for four years and will stay involved. Treasurer Gordon Brost from Scotia Bank has been in the position for two years and will stay on. Carlson was vice-president for two years prior to being elected president of the chamber on Wednesday.

“Stepping in as president is a natural transition,” said Carlson.

The chamber’s ongoing goal is to build its membership.

“Our trade and lifestyle show is our biggest event by far and that’s just become bigger and bigger every year and our intention is to move forward with that,” said Carlson.

As past-president, Huth helped oversee the chamber’s transition from being event driven to an education and networking-oriented group.

“I think this year the focus will be on trying to reach some of the new businesses in town and make them aware of what the chamber has to offer,” said Huth.

Cheryl Actemichuk of ATB Financial and Tannis Andrejcin of Century 21 Foothills were elected vice-presidents of the chamber and Nancy Van Kasteren from The UPS Store was elected secretary.

For more information on the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce see www.okotokschamber.ca

rnorthrop@okotoks.greatwest.ca

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