Editor:
The Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business – a vehicle that promotes regional businesses and generates opportunities for business owners and employees to not only network but also to open dialogue to current hot topic events occurring around us. In addition, the Chamber monitors local, provincial and federal government, and champions advocacy and growth in our economy. Chamber membership and programs support the continued efforts to represent the interests in the political arena and support advocacy and political action in order to aid in the creation of a strong and vibrant economy.
Quite often we are invited and take a key stakeholder role on a number of different federal, provincial, and municipal issues, and work diligently to ensure that business and community issues are taken into consideration when any strategic planning or new legislation comes into effect.
When the Coeur de Morinville Area Structure Plan and Highway 642 Functional Planning Study working/advisory groups were formed the Chamber was asked to have a member of our Executive participate as a representative on each of the committees. This provided a strong voice to advocate for the local businesses from the beginning. Our Executive member attended all meetings, and reported on all findings directly to the entire Board of Directors, which in turn provided even more feedback to both plans.
In addition to playing an active role directly on the committee, we have had representation at the open houses with some of our directors or staff in attendance at each event (when available, although some of whom may have attended wearing “multiple hats” as Chamber Directors and local business owners).
We also hosted the project managers for both projects to our October monthly member luncheon, in which they had an opportunity to present to 50 regional business members who were in attendance. There was also the opportunity for the local businesses to pose questions they had and request clarification on different points of both plans. We believe that the opportunity for our local businesses to speak to each of the plans with their concerns was of great value to both the business community as well as the project management team as all parties left the meeting with broadened knowledge and insight to the plans and concerns relative to the plans.
Rest assured that the Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce is extremely committed to advocating on behalf of the local business community, and will continue to play a very active role in the regional, provincial and federal economic and business advocacy stage.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce
