Local businesses are facing the challenges of social and physical distancing, reduced hours, and outright closures due to the COVID 19 Pandemic.

President of the Chamber of Commerce up in Thompson, Charlotte Larocque spoke to Arctic Radio about the importance of keeping local businesses open, even if how they operate has changed for the time being.

She says that small and micro businesses are often the only sources of income for families that own them and economic growth is dependent on keeping our money in the North and attracting others to invest in our businesses and economy.

Big box stores and online shopping doesn’t provide financial benefits to communities.