Futureprenure #OwnersWanted Workshop Wednesday, March 20 & Thursday, March 21

Buying a small business could be your route to success! It’s more accessible than you may think — and #OwnersWanted can help you get where you want to go.

Launched by Futurpreneur, #OwnersWanted is a new program that will get you ready to buy the small business of your dreams. It’s completely FREE, and if you already have a prospective seller in mind, you can both attend to get everything you both need to complete this transition together.

Over the course of program, you’ll learn how to:

• Find a viable business that interests you
• Approach and appeal to the business owners
• Put a deal together
• Practice negotiating and due diligence
• Close the deal in a mock negotiation process
• Structure and obtain the necessary funding 

Join us for this month's Chamber Breakfast on Friday April 5, 2024 at 8:00am, in person at the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel.

Our breakfast's are a great opportunity to connect with the community and chamber network as we introduce everyone in the room before our guest speaker begins. Next month's speaker is MP Gord Johns.

Gord Johns has long been connected with the business community. Before entering politics, Gord was self employed for almost 15 years, then after a term on the District of Tofino municipal council, he served as Executive Director of the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.

We look forward to hearing from Gord and the updates he brings Ottawa as the NDP Critic for Mental Health and Harm Reduction.

Early Bird Pricing available until Friday March 29 at 12:00pm - $34.82

Regular Ticket Price $40.41

Prices include GST.

Our Chamber Breakfast events continue to grow, and we’re so pleased with the turnout and connections our members are making at these events.

Here’s the top 10 highlights we heard from Mayor Sharie Minions:

Somass Land Development - The master plan for the redevelopment is nearing completion with the help of the newly selected partner, Matthews West. Details of the new partnership and the master plan will soon be announced to the public. The city has received over $200k in funding from the Community Workforce Response Grant as well as $1M from the Provincial Government REDIP program to assist with site remediation. North Island College and Synergy Foundation will also launch a program to train 12 positions to learn building deconstruction and circular economy skills.

Quay to Quay - Construction is underway to connect neighborhoods, link existing and future trail systems, and improve access to Port Alberni’s waterfront. The expected completion is this fall.

Canadian Maritime Engineering - Recently received a $2.1M grant toward expanding the shipyard services to include an additional pier and a 440-ton marine travel lift at their Canal Beach adjacent space. This will expand their market and add an estimated 50 jobs.

Train Station Lease - Twin City Brewing has been announced as the new tenants for the newly renovated Train Station.

WVIIHS Operational Plan - The Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society and Alberni Pacific Railway have launched an effort to get the steam train up and running again, and the Industrial Heritage Group has successfully applied for a grant to Island Coastal Economic Trust for $20k to assist with business planning.

Fibre Supply - The City recently met with the newly appointed Minister of State for Sustainable Forestry Innovation Andrew Mercier, along with the Tseshaht and Hupacasath leadership and MLA Osborne, to discuss the sustainability of our mills and access to fiber supply.

Community Economic Development Initiative - The CEDI Initiative aims to improve the economic prosperity of First Nations and local government through joint community economic development planning. The City of Port Alberni, Tseshaht First Nation and Hupacasath First Nation are currently exploring an economic development initiative on the Clutesi Haven Marina uplands and have submitted a grant application for development.

VI Business Examiner Awards - The 23rd Business Excellence Awards took place in Nanaimo where Timber Tiles, Coastal Restoration Society, Antidote Distilling, PA Association for Community Living, and Wildflower Bakershop & Café were finalists for awards. Port Alberni Association for Community Living won the award in the Health Care Services category.

Highway 4 Road Closure - The city is participating in a Transportation Study of the Highway 4 Road Closures. The study will be led by the ACRD, and the Chamber has been a huge advocate for this work. The Chamber secured a grant from ICET to fund an assessment of the impact on businesses in the Alberni Valley and West Coast Communities.

Health Care and Housing - While the Council believes the responsibility for this lies within the Regional District and the provincial government, City administration has been working to recruit and retain healthcare staff. Island Health has launched a campaign in Montreal, Calgary, and Victoria, and the City is supporting this initiative through social media campaigns. Additionally, the City is supporting the efforts of Community Futures to establish a collegial clinic in the community.

Thank you to our event partners for making our event a success:

Hupacasath First Nation, Best Western Barclay Plus Hotel, McLean Mill National Historic Site, Port Alberni Neighbourhood Welcome, Island Good and Alberni Valley News

Chamber Business After Business - March 12, 2024



Last Tuesday marked an exciting milestone as the Chamber partnered with Twin City Brewing for the first Business After Business social event of 2024!

Local business owners gathered to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the thriving community spirit. Aaron Colyn, from Twin City Brewing, engaged the audience with exciting updates on the brewery's plans for the Train Station, leaving everyone buzzing with anticipation. Missed out? Don't worry, stay tuned for more exciting upcoming events!

Chamber Luncheon - March 20, 2024



The Eagle's Nest at Alberni Golf Club hosted us this afternoon. We heard from Terry Deakin, CEO of INEO Employment Services who gave us a wonderful overview of Social Enterprises. The concept of “social enterprise” refers to the use of revenue-generating business-minded activities to accomplish a socially beneficial end. We explored the ways of structuring an enterprise with real examples from our community. Terry was full of tips for starting a social enterprise journey if it's the right fit for you. Don't be afraid to reach out if you're thinking of getting started.

INEO Employment Services owns multiple social enterprises including: Recycle Matters, Rustic Woodworks, Animal Ark, Re-Use Store, the Third Avenue Recycling Depot, and AV Media (The Scoop on Port Alberni).

Chamber Event Partnership Opportunities

Interested in partnering on a Chamber event? We have a number of opportunities available including:

• Gold Partners 
• Community Partners
• Door Prize Partners
• Presenting Partners (booking for June - Sept - Oct)
• Business After Business Hosts

Connect with the Chamber for more info and booking a limited partner slot: office@albernichamber.ca

Looking to be more involved in the business community? Join one of our committees:  

• Membership Committee 
• Governance Committee 
• Policy and Advocacy Committee 

We're thrilled to restart our committees that will guide and support implementation of our Strategic Plan.

Please send an expression of interest to office@albernichamber.ca with your name, and which committees you’re interested in.  

For more info and terms of reference available on our website.

My Community Futures in an online platform to access services from Community Futures BC.

This website offers free workshops, peer masterminds and up to 10 hours of consulting for people thinking about starting a business, already operating a business, and managers of not-for-profits.

If the business or not-for-profit meets additional criteria (i.e. operating a revenue-generating enterprise grossing more than $15,000 in the last 12 months) then they are eligible to apply for a Business Training Reimbursement of up to 80% of costs to a maximum of $5,000. Employees are eligible for up to $2,500. Regarding employees, the workshops and peer masterminds are free for them as well.

Good news & updates made to the Securing Small Business Rebate Program

Updates to the application process will include:

Removing the requirement to provide an insurance claim when applying for funding through the reparative stream of the program. Applicants will now simply be required to provide the name of their insurance carrier and policy number.

Permitting self-installation of measures. If equipment is self-installed, the rebate will be for eligible equipment only.

Removing the requirement for the applicant to demonstrate there is vandalism in the community in order to be eligible for the preventative rebate.

Removing the application deadline of Feb. 29, 2024, for preventative and reparative applications being filed for 2023. Applications will be accepted until the program ends in 2025.

Click here to access the Application Guide

Build Your Own Future (BYOF)

In response to weakening markets and changes in the forestry sector, the BC Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has provided 3 years of funding for Hubspace to deliver a tailored business startup support program for tradespeople and technicians affected by BC mill closures and curtailments.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Eligible participants are:

• A tradesperson or technician (employees and contractors are both eligible) in any forestry sector.

• Affected by a BC mill closure or extended curtailment.

• Interested in operating a trades or technician service business.

More info here

Market your business directly to local business owners and their employees! 

The Chamber publishes its monthly newsletter to over 730 subscribers including 260 member businesses through the Alberni Valley. Our open rate in the past 12 months has been 49%.  

We are offering the following ads: 

-    Sponsored Content ($150 per issue) 

-    Banner Ads ($55 - $65 depending on placement) 

Book your ad with jolleen@albernichamber.ca