The majority of businesses in southern Alberta are optimistic about entering 2022: survey – Lethbridge | The Canadian News

The majority of people in Southern Alberta’s business community seem to have a fairly positive outlook.

This is according to the latest Brighter Together survey from the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Lethbridge.

“I think it’s encouraging when the business community sees some relief – hopefully – after the last two years of madness, and they’re optimistic about the future,” said Lrevbridge CEO Trevor Lewington.

Of the 160 businesses surveyed, 74 percent said they feel positive about the overall health of their business. That’s more than 63 percent the previous year.

The key strengths of the Lethbridge area – as identified in the survey – include quality of life, transport infrastructure and a collaborative environment. Utility costs, tax environment and labor availability were considered as the biggest challenges.

A-Win Insurance (Solutions Group) CEO Tania Stilson feels that these strengths have positioned her business well for the coming year.

“Lethbridge has always been a great place to do business,” she said.

“It is a very collaborative environment, there is a wonderful sense of entrepreneurship, there are the two post-secondary schools from which we can draw. We are close enough to the border and to Calgary. “

Sixty-one percent of businesses said they expect to be busier this year, which Lewington believes will be reflected in the community.

“Optimistic businesses are more likely to hire, and this is something we saw in the survey, which most businesses plan to add to their workforce,” he said. “It is wonderful from a work perspective.

“When more business owners and businesses are positive and optimistic about the community, it means they are more likely to invest and make more changes to their business and hopefully grow and expand.”

And after dealing with the obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020, Stilson said she believes business owners are better prepared for the year ahead.

“My hope is that we can come back to, not even come back, but can develop into the next phase of where the business world is going.”

The full results of the survey will be released by the end of January.