July 28, 2020 – Abbotsford, BC – The Abbotsford Business Community Coalition (ABCC) is pleased to announce that it has awarded $40,000 in grants from its Small Business Emergency Fund, providing critical support to local independent businesses that are beginning the recovery from COVID-19. “This makes a big difference for small businesses like mine,” said grant recipient Josh Reynolds of Illustrate Collective. “The money helps, but it’s also reassuring just to be reminded that the…
Read More May 21, 2020 – Abbotsford, BC – The Abbotsford Business Community Coalition (ABCC) is ramping up its #WhatLocalsDo advertising and social media campaign, and sharing details of its Abbotsford Business Boost program to help independent local businesses with COVID-19 resiliency and recovery. A new video featuring local comedians Cliff Prang and Sunee Dhaliwal will launch on Friday, May 22nd – a sneak peek trailer is available and the final video will be available here. “As…
Read More May 6, 2020 – Abbotsford, BC – The Abbotsford Business Community Coalition (ABCC) is excited to announce a new tool to help independent local businesses stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abbotsford has joined Support Local BC, an initiative created to support local, independent businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic by selling gift certificates for future use. People who want to support local businesses and local businesses who want to be listed on the site should…
Read More April 17, 2020 – Abbotsford, BC – Leaders in the Abbotsford business community are coming together to support local business and lay the groundwork for economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Abbotsford Business Community Coalition (ABCC) has recently been launched in order to align and coordinate efforts both during and after the pandemic and associated social distancing measures. Augmenting government efforts, ABCC members are meeting regularly to develop and deploy fast-moving strategies to…
Read More March 20, 2020 – Abbotsford, BC Two New Words… If you have been following these messages or heard me speak at our Chamber events, you will likely know by now that there are two words I have been emphasizing during my term as Chamber President: relevancy and vibrancy. Topics and events should be relevant to our community’s and members’ needs, and we need an increased level of vibrancy demonstrated in our communication and engagement with…
Read More Abbotsford, BC The Chamber is pleased with today’s government announcement on the completion of the Mt. Lehman Road 4-Laning Project that will facilitate the safe flow of traffic and cyclists. This supports much needed regional transportation capacity and enhanced connectivity to our thriving Abbotsford International Airport. The project included widening Mount Lehman Road from two lanes to four, adding new bike lanes and sidewalk, enhancing lighting and improving the Simpson Road, Marshall Road and…
Read More The Lower Mainland’s “other” land use issue Why fixing BC’s industrial land shortage is key to protecting our long term economic success By: Melinda Friesen, President, Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce If you live anywhere in the Lower Mainland, there is no doubt you are well aware of the region’s land affordability issue. But did you know, there is a lesser known land issue threatening our region? While it doesn’t make as many headlines, it is…
Read More May 24, 2019 (Burnaby, BC) – The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce is extremley pleased to be participating again in the annual BC Chamber AGM & Policy Convention 2019 being held this year in Burnaby, BC. The Chamber’s delegation is comprised of President, Melinda Friesen, Board Director Kevin Mierau and Executive Director, Katerina Anastasiadis. Policies passed at this convention will form critical recommendations to government to voice buisness issues across the Chamber network and Province. The…
Read More The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce sounds alarm at Canada’s growing divisions over infrastructure project failures Abbotsford – February 20, 2019 – According to the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, the very fabric of our country is being threatened by the devastating impact of low oil prices, our inability to get energy resources to global markets and the increasing tensions between Canadians who live in resource-producing regions and other parts of Canada. Natural resources remain by far…
Read More BC BUDGET 2018 BACKGROUNDER – FACTS AND FIGURES Feb. 21, 2018 Key Messages: While the Chamber is pleased that the provincial government has delivered a balanced budget it appears to be balanced on the back of business. Budget 2018 makes key investments in housing attainability and available childcare, but business is facing the cumulative effect of crippling tax increases that will challenge their ability to invest and grow. Businesses will be footing the bill to…
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