The Chamber of Commerce expresses its gratitude to the City of Port Alberni and the Agricultural Land Commission for their work related to the recent decision by the ALC to remove the McLean Mill National Historic Site (MMNHS) from the ALR. The MMNHS is a community asset featuring historical awareness and ongoing community events the we expect to offer year-round for the enjoyment of all. The Chamber of Commerce under agreement with the City of Port Alberni operates historically focused commercial activities at the site including small/large-scale events, food services, gift shop, RV/Tent camping, Site tours, e-Bike programs (including rentals), and much more. Stay informed with our programs and activities HERE

We are excited to bring back what has been Port Alberni's feature annual event. The Community Excellence Awards last held in April of 2019 with more than 240 people in attendance RETURNS on Friday, June 10th at the McLean Mill National Historic Site in an outdoor tented venue. Sponsored by ROBBINS AND COMPANY the event will feature winners in nearly 20 categories including the coveted Citizen of the Year, Gillain Trumper Memorial Youth Award, Business Excellence, Special Recognition, and more. Many of the awards handed out that evening will showcase up to three winners, one for each of 2020, 2021 and 2022. Our individual Awards Sponsors have agreed to provide additional support to us for this most unique version of our event. Those sponsors currently include: RBC Royal Bank, Coastal Community Credit Union, West Coast Home Hardware, Port Alberni Association for Community Living, Arrowsmith Rotary, Mosaic Forest Management, Cermaq, Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, City of Port Alberni, Steampunk Cafe, the Graphics Factory, Pam Craig, Daniel Tsai - Passion Plumbing & Heating, Port Alberni Online, INEO Employment, Scotiabank, Yates Memorial Services, Port Boat House, Rabinder Dhillon, Sharie Minions Mortgage Brokers, R. Anderson & Associates, the Alberni Valley News and the McLean Mill National Historic Site. ADDITIONAL SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE AND ARE WELCOME. We invite you to follow our website for information on the event and MOST IMPORTANTLY WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND NOMINATIONS OUR WAY. Your nominations are vital to a successful event. NOMINATE HERE

We are pleased to welcome Ali Penko to our Chamber team. Ali moved to Port Alberni in 2020 and is already immersed in the community. She is trained in Horticulture, Photography, Journalism, and more. She is an avid outdoors person and has already found many of our hidden gems. And just this year she's taken up curling so she can now lead tours focused on trees or rocks! We are excited to welcome Ali to our team. She is undertaking the position of Events and Programming Manager with most of her duties related to our McLean Mill activities. She will report to Director of Operations and Opportunities - Anita Sutherland. Ali can be reached here

In the face of our ever changing world we cannot just continue to endure stress and wait for more peaceful times. We have to learn to be resilient and cultivate a sense of peace within the chaos. Enter Sun Six Creative Agency - a Vancouver Island based organization with leadership in Port Alberni. They are offering a six week meditation series starting March 17th (almost full) focusing on Stress Management, learning and building meditation techniques to help reduce, and manage the stress that we’re all experiencing. 

Contact Tashia at Sun Six or click on their logo above to visit their website.

Never in our lives has the Chamber of Commerce in any community been more important for the sustainability of local business. Over the past two years AVCOC has embarked on a program of constant communication to the business community alongside relentless advocating at both the Provincial and Federal levels for improved support programs, relax of unnecessary restrictions, and more. Alongside those programs we embarked on an initiative to reach out to as many local businesses as possible to assist them in finding various supports available to them (we know of more than $400,000.00 worth) and we've encouraged others to apply for one-of grants and again we know of success. On the more local front we continue to work alongside partners in other challenging areas such as the fisheries so that our recreational fishing opportunities remain intact. The Chamber also operates the Visitor Centre under agreement with the City of Port Alberni and licensed to do so through Destination BC. We also host commercial activities at the McLean Mill National Historic Site with focus on the well-being of Alberni Valley residents. All of this and more is only possible under the guidance of a strong Board of Directors - currently made up of 13 volunteers who help steer the ship. If you have expertise to offer in areas such as: Legal, Accounting, Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship, Indigenous Relations or other talents please consider an application. We invite you to contact our President - Terry Deakin at: President@albernichamber.ca

The B.C. Employer Training Grant provides funding to small, medium and large enterprises to support skills training for their new or current employees. The intent of this program is to help British Columbians access the skills training required to adapt to the labour market’s changing job requirements, while also encouraging employer involvement in skills training. The Employer Training Grant helps employers pay for training, which in turn helps employees experience increased job security or move into better jobs. Employers can apply as often as they need and may receive up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000. Visit here for more information on how to apply.