Westman Business

4 THE BRANDON SUN • WESTMAN BUSINESS • OCTOBER 27, 2022 We make insurance Simple Fast Affordable Easy Stress-free Fun At Guild Insurance Group we understand the challenges many consumers face when searching for insurance coverage. This is why we've built our team and processes specifically to alleviate the headaches and aggravation. AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • LIFE Info@guild.ca 866-277-4949 Go to Guild.ca to learn more Continued from Page 3 NEW LOCATION TO SERVE YOU BETTER! Inland Kenworth is the premier Kenworth dealer in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We also offer leasing, rental, parts and service. 204-728-6681 TOLLFREE 1-800-665-6317 INLAND-GROUP.COM MONDAY TO FRIDAY 7:30 AM TO 6:30 PM (PARTS AND SERVICE) SATURDAY 8:00 AM TO 4:30PM (PARTS AND SERVICE) Economic Development Brandon does a lot of business advocacy, Trudel said, helping businesses with every- thing from navigating developmental processes to recruitment efforts. Part of that effort includes the deliv- ery of the Federal government's Rural and Northern Immigration Project to attract skilled workers to Brandon. "We're only one of 11 Canadian cities that have access to this immigration pathway. It was designed to allow rural communities like us to fill their labour needs. We're almost 3 years into the pilot, we have another approximately 18 months left, and we've seen chron- ically vacant, good, skilled positions in our community filled through this pro- gram," Trudel said. "We've helped the viability of the ex- isting businesses, but simultaneously we're also growing our population be- cause the individuals come, they bring their families and get established, so we're seeing a win on many fronts. It's a very exciting program." Economic Development Brandon also has a comprehensive relocation package and promotional materials to show off everything Brandon has to of- fer its residents. If a business is bringing in some- one to interview for a skilled position, Trudel said Economic Development Brandon will do community tours with them, to help them see Brandon is the right place to accept the job. "When somebody is choosing where to live, job is one half of the occasion, but life after work is the other half of the equation, so we'll work together on that," Trudel said. A lot of the time, the city makes the best impression all on its own. "For a city of 50,000 people, the ame- nities we offer far exceed what would be expected … and the business com- munity and the community as a whole are extremely welcoming," Trudel said. At a time when many cities are see- ing housing markets in flux, Brandon's stable housing market has made it very attractive as well, Trudel said. "Our market is a really stable, posi- tively growing but manageably growing market. It means that homeownership is a realistic option for most people that are looking to relocate to the commu- nity," Trudel said. "Our housing prices are consistently considered affordable when you compare them against other Canadian cities, so that's an advantage for us as well." Going forward, Trudel said she'd like to see the business community contin- ue to grow. "Our dream is always that we'd like to see our existing businesses growing."

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