Huron Task Force steps up to help businesses navigate trade challenges

A new Huron Economic Recovery Task Force has been created to support local businesses in Huron County during the ongoing trade issues between Canada and the U.S. The task force was formed to provide a central hub for resources and information. The goal is to help businesses access the support they need quickly and easily.

Executive Director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce, Colin Carmichael, explains the task force.

The task force includes many organizations that support the business community, such as municipalities, economic development groups, Community Futures Huron, United Way, and business improvement areas. These organizations work together to gather information from local businesses and share it with the broader community. The long-term goal of the task force is to become unnecessary once the trade issues are resolved, and it will be reviewed every three months to determine if it should continue.

Right now, the focus is on collecting local, provincial, and national resources to help businesses navigate the situation. The task force has a website where businesses can access this information, and every Monday at 8:30 AM, it hosts an open call where business owners can share their concerns and ask for help.

These meetings allow the task force to understand how different industries, such as manufacturing and agriculture, are being affected and to find the right resources for each business.

One of the main priorities is understanding how the trade issues specifically impact businesses in Huron County. A survey is currently being conducted to collect this information because the local economy, which is heavily based on agriculture and small-scale manufacturing, may be affected differently than other parts of the province. Gathering this data will help the task force provide better support.

The main message from the task force is the importance of supporting local businesses. Whether it’s manufacturers, farmers, retailers, or restaurants, keeping money in the local economy will help businesses survive this difficult time.

For business owners struggling in Huron County, the task force recommends visiting its website, HuronERTF.ca, where they can find news and resources.

Written by: K. Milhomens