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Chamber of Commerce continuing to improve

Financially and activity-wise the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce is sitting in a healthy place.

Financially and activity-wise the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce is sitting in a healthy place.

With a $15,445 increase from last year in total assets, and $16,824 increase in net income overturning last year’s deficit and rendering the Chamber’s current balance at $15,501, its financial outlook is brighter even than 2012.

The Chamber of Commerce Business Awards evening also improved from last year. “We had kind of an up from last year,” said Inger Laing, vice president.

Revenues were up more than $1000 and the net profit of the event was $7,607, a $3,209 increase from the previous year.

Passport to Christmas kicked off Nov. 12 and is well underway.

“We’re already getting phone calls about needing fillers for passports,” said Les Jaster, executive manager.

Participating this year are 46 merchants, the same as last year.

“It’s off and running and it’s all good,” said Jaster.

Ponoka’s annual evening of Almost Midnight Madness is also fast approaching. This year’s date was changed to coincide with Black Friday.

Three major businesses of Almost Midnight Madness wanted to participate and benefit from the public’s attraction to Black Friday and would have relinquished their participation in the event.

“I didn’t think it was too much to change,” said director Judy Dick.

There are 36 businesses participating in the event and this year’s goal for the food bank is to donate1000 pounds.

The Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair, which will take place April 25 and 26, is also growing. Past president Greg Braat says there’s now room for 100 booths, a 20 per cent increase.

There is also going to be minor reconfigurations to the arrangements of the booths and the farmers market will retain its spot in the small ice surface area. “They thought it was fantastic,” said Braat.

The theme is Colour Our World Green. “It’s kind of a sustainable, green theme,” said Braat.