The renewed and expanded Lambton Business Collaborative (LBC) is hosting a few events this month to help local professionals navigate uncertain times.
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership Economic Development Officer Shauna Carr said the group initially formed during the pandemic to assist businesses.
"It originally started out as our COVID-19 taskforce," said Carr. "So, the economic partnership, along with partners, set it up in 2020 to be able to support businesses and liaise with government to get us through the pandemic."
Ongoing tariff threats from United States President Donald Trump revived the need for assistance.
"We want to make sure our local businesses have the opportunity to have access to the same sort of supports as they did during the pandemic from all of our agencies," she said.
Carr said it isn't easy for businesses to try and make decisions in a changing environment.
"A lot of businesses are worried about what's to come, primarily because it's such an unknown," said Carr. "We are looking down the barrel of a gun that we have never seen before. Is the impact happening quite yet? No. So, there's not a clear line of sight and that uncertainty is really angst filled for a lot of folks... either personally, or professionally, in the business world."
Carr said the LBC is actively working to bring together economic development ecosystem across Lambton County, to proactively and reactively develop and provide resourcing and advocacy for businesses and industries that need it most.
“A priority focus at this time is on providing programming to assist in minimizing the impacts of the ongoing tariff and international trade situation, while creating opportunities to actively engage with those who are most burdened by the realities of cross-border business," Carr said.
The collaborative is hosting a virtual session on navigating tariffs on Monday, April 8 at noon and an in-person regional economic outlook focused on navigating the unknown on April 14.
More information and links to register for the events can be found by clicking here.
Carr said plans for a Tariffs and International Trade Forum, which is anticipated for early May, are still be finalized.