Passport to Christmas which is hosted by the Rocky Chamber, Town of Rocky Mountain House, and Clearwater County was a huge success.

Michelle Meatheringham, Director of the Rocky Chamber said, “It was fantastic to see how the collaboration of participating businesses, sponsors and a community that supports each other and comes together.”

Meatheringham noted this year marks five years for the shop local initiative and the numbers tracked increases in every year.

“Shopping local benefits our entire community. When a community member spends their dollars locally it supports jobs for residents, enables businesses to support each other and non-profits in our organization,” she explained. “When you spend dollars locally, it creates jobs, which creates services, this in turn makes our community more attractive for young people to stay here or others to choose this region as their home.”

According to Meatheringham, it also has the potential to attract businesses to choose Rocky Mountain House or Clearwater County to set up in.

“Along with our partners, the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Clearwater County, we are thrilled with the results of Passport to Christmas and would like to wish our membership, friends and neighbours a Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy holiday season,” concluded Meatheringham.