July 1, 2020

Rural Opportunities Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bill Collette – Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce

Phone: 250.724.6535
Email: bill@albernichamber.ca

Chamber working in partnership with Community Futures Alberni- Clayoquot, Tofino Chamber of Commerce & Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a working agreement between ourselves and the West Coast Chambers alongside a commitment from Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot.

The agreement provides funding through CFAC – via a grant received from the Rural Opportunities Fund that gives each of the three Island Chambers the financial support needed to help our local businesses recover and reimagine.

AVCOC will be using the funds to increase staffing and develop programs so that at least two people within the organization can work with Business Owners who need support. Our initial focus will be to continue the development of an online presence for the entire business community.

Through this initiative we expect to offer Business Training programs through face to face or online Webinars that will assist our Business Community in new growth opportunities.

As recently as this week the CBC confirmed that the Canadian Public is now doing more than 10% of their shopping online.

With the support of CFAC, the interaction among the three Chambers, and the strength of our local team we look forward to keeping Port Alberni and Vancouver Island Businesses top of mind, and more importantly - top of Google.

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is a Federally Registered Organization – since 1966 that serves in the best interests of the Business Community. AVCOC currently has over 460 Member Listings on our Website.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Bill Collette – CEO at 250.- 724-6535 or via email: bill@albernichamber.ca or Anita Sutherland – Projects Manager - via email at: anita@albernichamber.ca

Visit us online at: www.albernichamber.ca or www.BetterBuyPortAlberni.ca

CHAMBER TAKES ON MCLEAN MILL BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Gift Shop, Food Services, Camping, Events, Tours

PORT ALBERNI, BC, January 30/20. The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce has been awarded an ‘Operation and Management Agreement’ to Manage and Develop various business opportunities that exist at the McLean Mill.

The Agreement specifies operations within the ‘Non-Historic’ areas of the site though it also allows for activities in the Historic Zones with prior approval from the City of Port Alberni.

The Chamber recognizes the importance of Tourism Activity and Development throughout the Alberni Valley. With a growing International awareness of Vancouver Island as a Destination area – rated top 20 in the world - CNN January 2020, we believe that the timing is right to develop the McLean Mill as a destination in its own right. At the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance Conference held in October of 2019 the CEO of Tourism Vancouver Island was quoted with: “We must develop Tourism on the Road Less Travelled.” The quote was referring to the reality that Vancouver Island has many lessor known and lessor visited areas – thus the Road Less Travelled.

During the next weeks and months the Chamber will focus attention on the confirmed weddings and events followed by the development of the Gift Shop, Food Services, Campground and Tours; all of this with the intent of putting Port Alberni on the map for visitors from around the world.

The Chamber looks forward to working with our many partners in the Business Community so that all of the Alberni Valley benefit from this exciting opportunity.

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is a Federally Registered Organization that serves in the best interests of the Business Community. AVCOC currently has over 320 Members.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Bill Collette – CEO at 250.-724- 6535 or via email: bill@albernichamber.ca

Visit us online at: www.albernichamber.ca