Brandon Minute: Business Growth, 2024 Reflections, and Happy New Year

Brandon Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Brandon politics

This Week In Brandon:

• There are no Council or Committee meetings this week. Regularly scheduled meetings will resume on January 6th.
  
  
• Tuesday is New Year’s Eve! Families can enjoy skiing, fireworks, and a prime rib dinner at Asessippi Ski Resort, featuring an early fireworks show and a spectacular midnight run. Music fans can dance to live performances by Full Flannel Jacket at Sand Hills Casino, Elton John hits by Mark Ross at The Dock, or local DJs at The Guinness Tavern. For a quieter evening, Brandon Transit offers free bus service, and the Brandon Wheat Kings play on New Year’s Day at Westoba Place.
  
  
• As we ring in the New Year, we’re reflecting on the work we’ve accomplished and the challenges ahead. To kick off 2025 strong, we’ve set a goal to raise $5,000 by midnight on December 31st. This crucial fundraiser will ensure we can continue our mission in the coming year. If you’ve valued our efforts and want to see us achieve even more, please consider making a donation today. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference, and we’re incredibly thankful for your support. Click here to donate and help us start the year on the right foot. Thank you and Happy New Year!

Last Week In Brandon:

• In a year-end interview, Premier Wab Kinew discussed several ongoing initiatives in Brandon, emphasizing the government's commitment to local development. He confirmed the Park Community Centre redevelopment, which includes a child-care facility, is a top priority, with details on funding and partnership arrangements expected to be finalized in 2025. Regarding the Keystone Centre, Kinew acknowledged its ongoing financial struggles but reiterated efforts to ensure its sustainability through collaboration with local partners. Additionally, he provided updates on the expansion of Brandon University's medical school, with plans to increase student intake in the coming years. Kinew also addressed local school infrastructure needs, promising investments in new classrooms and maintenance projects to address urgent issues.
  
  
• Mayor Jeff Fawcett also partook in a year-end interview. He discussed the City's financial situation and the challenges it faces compared to Winnipeg, particularly in managing tax increases. While Winnipeg raised taxes by 16.59% from 2018 to 2023, Brandon's increase was much lower at 3.93%, though the City is still grappling with rising costs. Fawcett acknowledged the pressure to balance core services with long-term financial sustainability, noting that raising taxes and development charges is necessary to maintain services and build reserves for emergencies. He emphasized the importance of making difficult decisions now, rather than kicking problems down the road, and highlighted his vision of Brandon becoming a destination for families, driven by the growth of local institutions like the university and college.
  
  
• This holiday season, some Brandon businesses saw significant growth, with Trinity Meat and Food Place experiencing an 80% increase in sales, attributed to an expanding newcomer population and a diverse product selection. Toymasters also reported a 30-35% sales increase, benefitting from the Canada Post strike, which drove more customers into stores due to disrupted online shopping. However, the postal strike had a negative impact on other businesses like Leatherwood Custom Workwear and Blush Silks, where sales were lower than expected due to delays in deliveries and economic pressures. Trends included a rise in family-oriented purchases, such as board games and puzzles, and an influx of newcomers positively affecting local businesses.