Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce

Find the Chamber here

We respectfully acknowledge that we conduct our Business on the Unceded Territory of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations.

Businesses - to join for FREE

Our New Website (Click above) is brought to you by the City of Port Alberni, Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce and WebMax.ca. It's a collaboration of efforts to:

Assist ANY Business of ANY type to get online
Encourage local spend with the purchase of Gift Cards (Virtual) and/or products from the businesses 'new online store.'
FREE TO GET INVOLVED! But only through to May 28th. After that there will be a cost to participate.
The FREE portion includes: Website development - Online Store complete with Gift Card sales capability. Link options to your own current site (if you have one) and/or your Social Media Platforms. No monthly charges through the balance of 2020.

FAQ:

How do I get involved?
Click on the BUSINESS OWNERS BUTTON on the website: Here
I know nothing about websites
Cool. Webmax does and they're doing the work for you. Click the button & put them to work on your behalf.
Do I have to do anything to get the site up and running?
Yes, you'll have to provide account information via either Stripe/Square. That's the way you'll be paid.
I already have a website and even an online store.
Great! This is simply another tool in the tool box! Perhaps two sites would be better than one? This site can click forward to yours too.
I'm a Plumber. Why would I need a website? And why would anyone buy a Gift Card for my services?
Why wouldn't they? Has anyone ever hired you for your services?
In a Post-Covid Society shouldn't we all be online?
There must be a catch....
No, there isn't! If you decide to continue with the FREE developed Website post 2020 you will have a monthly charge. Those charges could range from $29.00 per month to upwards of double that based on whether you carry on with Gift Cards or just have a small online store. It's your choice.
What's the risk?
More sales?
How will people know about this?
Great question! Between the Chamber and the City we are committed to advertising the Landing Site which will showcase all participating businesses. Let's call it a SHOPPING MALL. Come to our Mall and tour around.
And if I wait till next month....What then?
Well you can still join but unfortunately there will be costs to do so. That's why we're encouraging you to sign up now.
How do I know it's real?
Well check out Sooke with 66 businesses
Who will help me here in Port Alberni?
We will. We want our Businesses to succeed and to prosper. Troubles with the system we'll be around to help.
Who is WebMax?
Best to check them out for yourselves. They are a very successful Island Based Virtual Marketing Company with clients all over. Port Alberni roots by the way. Look here

Better Buy Port Alberni

First local gift card purchase

Sorry it's mine! I butchered the last one...

Money is in Krista's account.

We did it! Our First AGM was held online via ZOOM on Wednesday, May 20th.

Thank you MR. GORD JOHNS - MP - COURTENAY/ALBERNI for kind and encouraging words and for the hard work on behalf of the area especially over the past 10 weeks
Thank you MR. JAN LAVERTU - WESTCOAST HOME HARDWARE. Mr. Lavertu has been on our Board for many years and has contributed extensively to our well-being. He is stepping away for a while to concentrate more on his business.
Thank you to MR. PETER WIENOLD - THE GRAPHIC FACTORY and MS. DEBBIE HAGGARD - CITY COUNCILLOR who both assisted with the Elections Process.
Thank you to MR. ROB ANDERSON - R.ANDERSON AND ASSOCIATES for the ongoing work you do on behalf of our organization. Happy to welcome you back for 2020 and beyond!
Welcome to our NEW Board of Directors many of whom have been on previous Boards with us and others.

Ms. Sarah Jones - Walk the Coast/Coast Orthodics - President

Ms. Carol-Anne Phillips - Steampunk Cafe - Vice President

Ms. Terry Deakin - INEO Employment - 2nd Vice President

Mr. Dave Heinrichs - Alberni District Co-op - Treasurer

Mr. Peter Wienold - The Graphics Factory/Portal Players Dramatic Society - Secretary

Ms. Crystal Knudsen - Scotiabank - Director

Ms. Gail Horvath - Port Posh Wash - Director

Mr. Daniel Savard - Swept Away Inn - Director

Ms. Teresa Bird - AV News - Director

Ms. Lori Kerr - Coastal Community Credit Union - Director

Mr. Michael Moore - IT Specialist - Director

Ms. Krista McKitrick - Belles Hair Care - Director

Advocacy Results

Expanded Eligibility For The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

The Federal Government recently announced it was expanding the criteria used by businesses in calculating their CEBA eligibility. To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 need:

a business operating account at a participating financial institution;
a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return;
eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities and insurance.

Expenses will be subject to verification and audit by the Government of Canada.

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