The Portage Co-op is proposing to amalgamate with Homestead Co-op in Carman in a new partnership. The new name for the United Co-op will be Homestead Co-op. Portage Co-op General Manager Kevin Dales says the move is intended to provide, "a stronger co-operative that remains committed to serving its communities."

Dales notes more resilience to increasing competition will result.

"Co-ops were built on the concept of working together to help serve their communities better," says Dales. "That founding principle remains at the heart of this partnership. By coming together, we'll be able to offer members a wider range of products and services. The biggest benefit to all members is the ability to use one Co-op number in seven communities and at 16 different locations."

He explains Members of the newly united Co-op will use their Co-op number at four food stores, one pharmacy, three home centres, five gas bars, five card locks, and one Ag site. Their bulk petroleum fleet will have four trucks in operation from two bulk fuel sites. This means a coverage of over 4,000 square kilometres of service stretching from La Salle toward the east, as well as west to Austin.

An information session and membership vote will take place at Active Living Centre in Carman on April 2nd at 6:30 p.m., and at the William Glesby Centre in Portage la Prairie on April 3rd at 6:00 p.m.

Once the proposal's approved, the transition will occur and they plan to make the transition effective on February 3rd, 2019.