Dear Mr Parr,CC: Editor, Coast Mountain News
While I agree with you that the Valley community will need to find a better way to a prosperous future for all members, I certainly take exception to your views of locally run businesses.
Small and medium businesses are the backbone of any economy. And it is exactly that what this Valley will need more in order to drive diversification so we can plan a better future for all.
Local small and medium businesses are contributing in very different ways to a local economy. Whether it is the local fisherman, local sawmill owner/operator, local tourism business or any other business, and whether you are the owner/operator of a business or you employ any number of people, they all draw from the same resources this Valley has to offer in one way or the other.
Contrary to large corporations that usually just take the profit generated from local resources and move that profit out of the community to their shareholders, a locally run business is really invaluable to any community whether you like it or not.
Local business owners usually live where they work and pay a property tax and support the local economy by employing locals, shopping locally in the grocery stores, gas station, repair shop, hardware store and restaurants as well as other businesses.
Local businesses donate hard earned money to social and community support groups, and very often, local business owners volunteer their own time in various committees to support their community.
If you run a business small or large you have to generate a profit otherwise you will not succeed. After you turn a profit you have to pay your business licence fees, insurance fees, salaries, office space and your other operating cost. Once these expenses are covered you pay a business and/or personal income tax. Only then you can start counting your real profit and pay yourself as a business owner.
You can’t really blame people that have a vision and see an opportunity to operate their business here for the misfortune of others.
I think the local business community deserves more credit.
Yours truly,
Markus SchieckTweedsmuir Travel – Local business owner
