The membership has spoken and two Co-ops in the region will become one.
    
A merger between Carman-based Homestead Co-op and Portage Consumers Co-op will take effect February 3, 2019.
    
Homestead members were 89 per cent in favour of the move in a vote held Monday.

"It was great to see the results that we had with our membership coming out and showing their support for this," said Homestead Co-op General Manager Jason Rheault. "I think it's somewhat a sign of the times and businesses need to continue to evolve and grow."

Rheault added now the real work begins to make this a smooth transition for members and employees.

Consumers Co-op General Manager Kevin Dales says members voted 97 percent in favour of amalgamation.

"to be a part of the process," says Dales. "I think the members spoke tonight with their overwhelming vote. They see the realization of today's world and we're going to move forward in that manner so it's a very good feeling."

The amalgamation is in response to other supermarket giants merging and pushing smaller businesses out of communities. The merger will result in members being able to utilize their Co-op numbers across the territory of both Homestead and Portage Consumer Co-ops in order to build equity.

Portage Co-op Board of Directors President Lorne Hulme gives his opinion of the results.

"I'm pretty pleased with the support," says Hulme. "You never know how these meetings are going to go. It seems that the majority of people here were in favour of the amalgamation and I think that also tells you that people here can see forward that a larger, stronger co-op is in everybody's best interests."

Portage Co-op Gas Bar Employee Cole Johnston adds his view on what the amalgamation means for him as an employee.

"What this amalgamation means for me is a stronger and better future," notes Johnson. "It'll be easier to tackle competition and bigger companies by moving up the chain and better buying power. Mainly a stronger future for us."

With the vote, members will be able to use their Co-op number at 16 locations in seven communities across central Manitoba.
        
The new entity will operate under the banner of Homestead Co-op.