Chamber proposes first membership fee increase in eight years

Steinbach Chamber of Commerce members will vote on a proposed fee increase at their Sept. 26 AGM.

The proposed increase is the first for the local chamber since 2016 when all fee categories were raised $10.

This time the proposed increase varies for each category, ranging from a $5 increase for non-profits to a $65 increase for those with 150 or more employees.

Proposed rates are $100 for non-profits, $175 for one to five employees, $300 for six to 20 employees, $400 for 21-49 employees, $500 for 50 to 149 employees, and $750 for 150 or more employees.

On a percentage basis, the proposed increases vary widely depending on the category as well.

The largest increase by percentage will be seen in the one to five employee category which will face a 20.7 percent increase to $175 annually.

The six to 20 employee category is close behind with a proposed 17.6 percent increase to $300 annually.

The other increases are all under 10 percent with the lowest being non-profits at 5.3 percent to $100 per year and the 50 to 149 employee category at 5.3 percent to $500.

The increases however remain below the rate of inflation. In all categories, the Bank of Canada inflation calculator shows that simply keeping up with inflation would increase rates between $7 and $111 more than is being proposed.

Chamber president Tracy Gromniski created a four-page report which members will receive, justifying the increase and showing that they are still a bargain compared to many other chamber of commerce organizations.

For example, Portage Chamber of Commerce rates range from $111 for non-profits to $964 for large businesses. Thompson rates range from $175 for one to five employees to $1,460 for 101 to 200 employees. Brandon rates start at $245 for non-profits and go to $1,400 for businesses with more than 100 employees.

The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce is funded by membership fees and a business tax partnership. The City of Steinbach charges 0.5 percent of the assessed value of a business and forwards that money to the chamber, minus a five percent administration fee.

Grant funding fully covers Eastman Immigration Services programs.

Gromniski also notes that their costs have risen. In the last four years rent has gone up by 46 percent, wages have increased by the same level from $72,000 to $105,000, and insurance rates have risen by 177 percent, from $1,660 to $4,620 due to changes to the cost of liability policies.

With that budget the chamber engages in advocacy, hosting events such as Taste of Steinbach, Pioneer Days Parade, the Chamber Challenge for entrepreneurs and the Eastman Immigrant Services Job Fair.

They also offer education and networking opportunities.

“The proposed fee increases are essential to ensure that the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce can continue to provide advocacy, connection, and support to our growing membership and community,” Gromniski wrote in her report. “We remain committed to delivering value while keeping our fees competitive compared to other Chambers in Manitoba.”