Businesses in Jasper, Alta., are beginning to see the road to recovery a month after a wildfire forced 25,000 visitors and residents to evacuate.
Although Jasper National Park and the town remain closed to visitors, the park service recently reopened the road south through the Rocky Mountains, a popular tourist route.
Paul Hardy, owner of SunDog Transportation and Tour Co., expressed the importance of opening the Icefield Parkway Highway 93 between Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff.
With the full reopening of Highway 16 earlier in the week, service workers have been able to return and assist in rebuilding the community, bringing businesses closer to reopening.
SunDog has resumed its shuttle service from Edmonton to Jasper for residents and workers, marking a significant milestone in the rebuilding process.
Local businesses are also showing signs of reopening. The grocery store, pharmacy, and gas stations are now open to welcome returning residents. The Crazy Elk Cafe has also reopened for residents.
Community Futures West Yellowhead is launching a low-interest loan program to support businesses during this challenging time. The organization is assisting small businesses with accounting, payroll, insurance, and other financial challenges.
Despite the devastation caused by the fire, residents are focusing on reopening and rebuilding their businesses. Community Futures is conducting surveys to understand the impact of the fire on businesses and provide necessary support.
While some businesses anticipate a surge in business as rebuilding efforts commence, others are facing uncertainty and challenges in the rebuilding process.
Business owners like Mairead Colbath are waiting for decisions on building codes and planning issues before resuming operations.
Although some businesses have announced they won’t be able to reopen in the near future, there is optimism for the future of Jasper’s business community.
Despite the challenges faced, businesses like Jasper Raft Tours remain hopeful for the future and look forward to welcoming clients again.
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