Every good businessperson knows that giving back to the community is a sound marketing strategy. Whether providing sports sponsorships or door prize donations, a healthy presence in the community contributes to a healthy bottom line.

For some local businesses, it’s also part of being a good neighbour.

When a company from Red Deer wanted to build the Deerfoot Inn and Casino on Barlow Trail SE in 2002, they looked first for approval from nearby communities and began “They saw us as part of their community,” says Darrell Hutchings, past-president of the Douglasdale Glen Community Association. “They wanted to work with us, not only because we gave them approval on the facility, but to help draw people into the casino end of the business.”

Hutchings says the community was invited to the grand opening of the facility and was stunned to discover that unbeknownst to them, staff had arranged a silent auction strictly for the benefit of the community association.

“They raised $9,000 for us that night,” he says. “It was the start of a very good relationship.”

Douglasdale was built 23 years ago around a residents-only golf course.

The community association was formed in the early 1990s, and when the course and clubhouse were sold to private interests, the community was left in the lurch. Hutchings says the Deerfoot Inn stepped in to help right away.

“We have our monthly board meetings there and our annual general meeting. They provide rooms for soccer registrations--basically, whatever we ask--as long as they’ve got the room, all free to the community association,” says Hutchings. “It works for them. Free word of mouth and people from our community come into their facility.”

The hotel and casino’s general manager says they have a great relationship with the community.

“We’re big supporters. We do it particularly well,” says Trevor Hannah, speaking for principal owners David and Darcy Will. “We don’t want to be a faceless corporation. We’re a family-run business. We want to know the people behind the positions in the community.”

The relatively new southwest community of West Springs Cougar Ridge has land for a community centre but has postponed construction plans until they can economically justify it. In the meantime, they take advantage of the community room at their local Calgary Co-op store.

“It gives us a home in the absence of a hall. It works fairly well for us,” says Will Fong, events director for West Springs Cougar Ridge.

Fong says the association has a dedicated bulletin board in the story lobby and full use of the room, which includes a kitchen.

“We have our board of directors’ meetings there, our Scrabble Club and various parties for kids in the community. It’s convenient,” says Fong, a sales rep for an electronic manufacturing company who has lived in the community for four years.

“Co-op provides that space to us at no cost, and people can get their shopping done as well.”

Hutchings says local businesses have always been a key part of community operations in his neighbourhood.

“Swifty’s (gas station and convenience store) has always given us donations for the school or pumpkin carving contest prizes,” he says, adding that residents can purchase community memberships at the local store. “(Owners) Fred and Judy are friends of the community. They’re always there for support.”