Winkler City Council recently revisited their tendering process.

While supporting local businesses often makes sense from both a fiscal and economic perspective, when contracting city projects, Mayor Martin Harder clarifies council can't favour local bids.

"We want to accept competitive bids," he says. "There are times when locals will obviously be able to out-bid someone coming from outside, but sometimes that's not possible... all we want to do is make sure local industry have the opportunity to bid."

It's a mandate that's given to city staff as well, Harder says, ensuring tenders and supplies are bought locally as much as possible.

"Every once in a while there is a bill that comes across our desk... that came from outside the community and there is always a reason."

There are times when outside companies have the necessary equipment that translates into lower bids and local companies can't compete in terms of price. "But otherwise things like road construction in Northlands Parkway, it's all local."