Monday morning, the first think tank for the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic was enthusastically received by members of the business community.

Chamber CEO Rob Clark said they talked a bit about the wage subsidy that has been introduced by the federal government, but they also wanted to let members know that they’re not alone in these difficult times.

"Everybody was on there to support businesses," said Clark. "We wanted to be a focus and a platform to show the support the businesses have. And it was received well beyond my dreams." 

One of the issues that will be affecting businesses is that rent and lease money will be due soon, with little to no income coming in over the last couple of weeks. 

"And hopefully there's something to do with the rent, whether they defer to the end of the contract or whether they take a little (bit) to help the businesses out to survive" he said. "It's due either (March 31) or April 1. It's a bit of a concern for a lot of businesses." 

Members used the Zoom app to get involved. There are two others scheduled for Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m., and Chamber members should be getting an email reminding them how to take part.

Clark said that Wednesday they'll have someone from KPMG at the think tank helping break down how to apply for and receive the wage subsidy