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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
An effort is underway to create a new chamber of commerce in Fort Smith.

Dana Jackson, one of the organizers of two meetings held on the initiative, explained it is not seeking to revive the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, which has been inactive for about three years.

Instead, it would create a new organization, although with a very similar name.

"We just said Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce 2012 and just start fresh from there," Jackson said.

There had been some discussion about calling the new organization a business association, instead of a chamber of commerce.

However, there is no need to reinvent the wheel, Jackson said.

"When you say chamber of commerce, that means something to other communities and, when you're talking to another chamber of commerce, they know where you're coming from, and the network's established."

She said the next meeting on March 6 will include the election of an executive.

"If everything goes as planned, we should have a board," Jackson said, adding an application for society status would then be made to the GNWT.

The first organizational meeting on Jan. 23 attracted 23 businesspeople, while another on Feb. 6 had 17 in attendance.

Jackson, who is co-owner of Pelican Rapids Inn, was pleased with the turnouts, and noted everyone thought forming a new chamber is a good idea.

She has spearheaded the effort along with Marie Swanson, another businessperson.

Jackson, who has lived in Fort Smith for a year and a half, said she was surprised there was no chamber of commerce in the community upon arriving from Hay River, where such a business organization is very active.

Don Jaque, the last president of the former Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, said he is "totally" in support of the effort to create a new chamber.

"I think that a business organization is very much needed and, whatever form it takes, I'll be happy with," he said, noting he is assisting organizers of the new group.

Jaque said the former chamber was active until the recession hit several years ago, noting it was studying the potential impact of several proposals, including an expansion of the Taltson hydroelectric site, barging on the Slave River and a winter road from Fort Smith to Uranium City, Sask.

"When the recession hit, they all just disappeared," he said.

Afterwards, the chamber went into hiatus and it has been dormant for three years, Jaque explained. "It just took the wind out of our sails. It was just so discouraging."

Jackson is optimistic about the prospects for the new chamber. "I'm really hopeful that it's going to be successful and I think that it will be."

At the March 6 meeting, Hughie Graham, second vice-president with the NWT Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled to do a presentation on what a chamber of commerce is all about and how it can help Fort Smith businesses.

Jackson said it would offer a number of benefits, such as providing better communication among businesses, creating a way to establish partnerships and providing more input into decisions by the Town of Fort Smith.

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