Looking back over the past 12 months, the Economic Development Officer for Souris-Glenwood feels 20-21 was a successful year, despite the ongoing pandemic.

“The year started off just trying to un-ring some of the bells,” shares Echo Finlay, “but then we picked up steam throughout the year. The community just does not stop here, so we’ve had incredible support, with lots of local initiatives.”

“It was a good year, with lots of business because we have outdoor venues that people like to go to, like the swinging bridge. So, that definitely helped everything,” she adds.

Through her role as EDO in Souris-Glenwood, Finlay gets to be involved in many community projects and events.  “I might not be the main coordinator on things, but instead I get to lend support wherever I’m able to connect those dots.  So, that’s been a positive.”

Finlay says she’s had a terrific year working with the different organizations in her municipality – but there is one group that really shines.

“The Chamber is outstanding here in town!  Our Souris-Glenwood Chamber of Commerce, they have got such a great group of people that are helping to organize and execute different events throughout the year.  So, those went ahead, even with the covid restrictions.  It was excellent to see, and I got to participate and do a lot of posting.  It was a lot of fun!”

In the business sector, the one major changes for the municipality during the pandemic was the closing of the Souris Plaindealer local newspaper in early September of 2020.  “We had the Boissevain Recorder move in and take over the area, which was great.  It seemed like a smooth transition,” she adds.

Finlay feels the local non-profit organizations, like the local Legion, had the toughest time through the pandemic.  “Our local stores were able to follow the restrictions, like the fewer number of occupants in the building, and we had a lot of businesses take to online promotion as well, and also the take-out service for restaurants.”

One of the main topics of discussion around the Chamber table is the town’s close proximity to Brandon, and its effect on Souris businesses.  Covid certainly has created its own set of challenges.

“We’re so close so we do lose some business to Brandon, but it’s also just far enough away that we tend to see a lot more local shopping.  We have so much here, and the community has its mind on shopping local and supporting local.”

“It’s quite a great thing,” she adds. “We find that most people wait until they have that odd-ball laundry list of things that they have to get in Brandon, and then that’s when they do it.”

Shopping local and caring for their community has been key to the economic picture of Souris-Glenwood!