Chamber Blog

As 2024 wraps up, businesses in Steinbach are balancing recent challenges with achievements worth celebrating. One notable issue has been the federal government’s two-month GST holiday, which has brought both benefits and burdens to local businesses.

“The administration of a short-term tax break is a burden on our local businesses,” said Tracy Gromniski, president of the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce. She explained that while the measure helps consumers, it has created extra work for businesses trying to implement it.

“We thoroughly understand the reasoning for that tax break, but also want to communicate the burden that it places on the businesses to administer it.”

The short duration of the GST break means businesses face the prospect of reversing these adjustments soon, adding further complexity to their operations. Despite these challenges, Gromniski said the Chamber is working to support businesses and relay their concerns to higher levels of government.

A year of growth and connection 

While navigating challenges, the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce and local businesses have plenty to celebrate. Gromniski says 2024 was a remarkable year for the Chamber, which saw record-breaking attendance at its events and reached major milestones.

“We hit the milestone of 500 members this year, which was always a long-sought goal for the Steinbach Chamber,” she said. That number has already grown to approximately 525. This growth reflects not only the strength of Steinbach’s business community but also the Chamber’s ability to connect and support its members effectively.

Networking remains a cornerstone of the Chamber’s value to members.

“We know how to connect people, and we do it very well,” Gromniski said. From mixers to one-on-one problem-solving, the Chamber helps businesses find the resources and partnerships they need to thrive.

Events that brought the community together 

The Chamber also hosted a variety of well-loved events this year, including four mixers, the Pioneer Days Parade, Burger Days, and the Business Excellence Awards. Each drew strong participation and underscored the community’s enthusiasm for supporting local businesses.

A standout event was the Taste of Steinbach long table dinner, which brought more than 500 people together to celebrate local flavours and community spirit.

“It really showcased the resilience, power of collaboration, and shared love for local business,” Gromniski said.

Another highlight was the launch of the Chamber Challenge, a competition that gave young entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their business ideas in a “Dragons’ Den”-style format. The event was well-received and will return in 2025.

Despite a year with its share of hurdles, Steinbach’s business community has shown resilience and innovation. From record-breaking events to new initiatives, 2024 has been a year of connection, growth, and progress for the Chamber and its members.

“Seeing the growth of the business community and the encouragement to be part of the Chamber has been incredibly rewarding,” Gromniski said.