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Abbotsford News Friday, March 20, 2015

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Chamber aims to reduce taxes for business and industry The ultimate goal of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce is to ensure that Abbotsford is the most business friendly and competitive municipality in the country, without negatively impacting the sustainability or livability of the city.

the continued ability “to encourage economic stimulus, create additional permanent employment opportunities and expand the industrial/business tax base.”

In an effort to achieve this goal, At a recent council meeting, the Chamber encourages Mayor Chamber president Mike Welte Braun and city council to “look at told city council that the Chamber the expansion of permissive tax is pleased with the trend to reduce exemption programs,” something that Welte said has worked well to property tax ratios in every class. increase the competitiveness of the “Our hope is that mayor and council community. share our vision and prioritize Abbotsford’s business community The Chamber has asked that when setting the 2015 tax rates,” the newly created economic said Welte on the five-year financial development department has plan bylaw. the autonomy and is afforded “We believe that continuing the opportunity to partner with (hopefully through the downward trend will create industry additional investment, new jobs an economic development and most importantly, a further tax corporation model) to help with decrease for all classes.” business retention and expansion At the council meeting, the functions. If successful, Welte said it Chamber observed that businesses should help with further reductions and industries which grow the to everyone’s tax bill. economy and create jobs for the citizens of Abbotsford are paying “In addition to tax rates, the a highly disproportionate amount expansion of permissive tax of tax. The business community still exception programs, there are also pays 2.45 times the residential rate other effective and useful tools to per $1,000 of assessed value. encourage investment,” said Welte. “The reduction of the ratio from 2.9 in 2009 to 2.45 in 2014 has been certainly welcomed by the business community and the Chamber,” said Welte.

“In the coming weeks, the city will set tax rates for the coming year; reducing business mill rates for 2015 is a great opportunity for Mayor Braun and council to The Chamber believes the key to send a very strong message that success for the city of Abbotsford is Abbotsford is open for business.”

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E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y

2015

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS Mike Welte PRESIDENT

Joshua Bach

VICE PRESIDENT

Brandon Kelley TREASURE

Kenda Allen

Hilary Beard

Mark Dana

John MacDonald

Sara Lawson

Parm Sidhu

DIRECTOR

abbotsfordchamber.com

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Today I write my last article as your Chamber President. I feel incredibly honored and privileged to have been able to represent our business community for the last 2 years. During this time we have celebrated our 100 year anniversary and worked really hard to protect the interests of business. Below are a few highlights of the work we have done on your behalf: On the local level, the Chamber provided support to the downtown business improvement area at a time when the intention of the C7 zoning was in jeopardy. Our representatives participated in the Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Prosperity and the Homelessness Task Force which produced two excellent action plans. Our voice contributed to council rejecting the first audible bird scare bylaw that contravened Ministry guidelines and would have negatively impacted the Blueberry Industry. We have provided valuable input into local ICI recycling and composting programs and helped lobby for a small business exception to MMBC that if implemented as proposed, would have increased the administrative burden for small business. During the 2014

municipal elections the Chamber continued to be the leading provider of All Candidate Forums for Mayor and Council. We were also pleased to complete our second year of the Chamber community grant program which recognized two local agencies with $2500 for the work they do. Provincially, through our quarterly meetings with our three MLA’s we have been actively promoting our transportation priorities which call for; increased lanes on Highway #1 to Whatcom Road; improved access to our airport and improvements to Fraser Highway. The Chamber has also voiced opposition to a controversial bylaw 280 that would have likely fed an incinerator in Metro Vancouver. Federally, we were proud of to be recognized at the Canadian Chamber AGM where the Abbotsford Chamber received, “Accreditation with Distinction”. Abbotsford is now one of only nine Chambers in the Province of BC to achieve this status as a result of operations and advocacy on behalf of our members that meet the exemplary compliance standards of the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada.

The work of the Chamber has never been more important than it is today. Business and industry need to have a larger voice so that all levels of government truly understand the significant contributions that you all make. Business needs to be celebrated and not taken for granted. We are operating in a global economy and business has a choice where to locate. We need to continue to be mindful on how we can make Abbotsford the most business friendly municipality in Canada. Looking forward, I would like to wish incoming President Josh Bach all the best in the coming years. Josh and your board of directors will do everything in their power to ensure Abbotsford’s business community becomes even stronger. I have really enjoyed getting to know many of our members and to contributing towards making Abbotsford a better place to live, work and play. After a few months off, I anticipate remaining very active in our community for many more years to come. Thank you again for this opportunity to represent you for the last 2 years.

DIRECTOR

NEW BUSINESSES: Dave Miller DIRECTOR

Cameron Wilson DIRECTOR

The Abbotsford Chamber would like to welcome the following businesses: Becoming a member of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce provides substantial benefits to generate more business and reach the heart of your community.

David Sheach DIRECTOR

Mark Warkentin DIRECTOR

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UPCOMING

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CHAMBER EVENTS

F R A S E R VA L L E Y C H A M B E R S OF COMMERCE BUSINESS SHOWCASE

LUNCHEON WITH GREGG S A R E T S K Y, P R E S I D E N T A N D C E O, W E S TJ E T

BUSINESS AFTER BUSINESS AT H A B I TAT F O R H U M A N I T Y RESTORE

DATE: Wednesday, April 15 LOCATION: Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre TIME: 3:00pm – 7:00pm

DATE: Tuesday, April 28 LOCATION: Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre TIME: 11:30am – 1:30pm

DATE: Thursday, May 21 LOCATION: 31877 South Fraser Way TIME: 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Abbotsford News Friday, March 20, 2015

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E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y

abbotsfordchamber.com

Chamber members get 2 days Free Parking with Park’N Fly We are pleased to introduce our newest Member Benefit provider: Park’N Fly

Park’N Fly Vancouver: • Park’N Fly is located just minutes from Vancouver International Airport.

Canada’s only national airport parking company, Park’N Fly offers Abbotsford Chamber Members exclusive, lower than web rates which can be used for both leisure and business travel. Chamber Members that travel frequently can register online to expedite their service and receive the discount automatically every time they park with us, additional services are included with rewards program.

• Premium Valet service in our well lit, fenced-in, and electronically monitored facility. • Fast & efficient shuttle service, 24 hours a day • Friendly and professional staff • Luggage assistance • Complimentary coffee and tea, local phone calls, newspapers and seating lounge

Benefits Include:

• Vehicle Maintenance Services available while you are away (ie. Car Wash, Oil Change etc)

• By-pass the counter line by using the card at our kiosk machines • Receive Corporate Discount Rates automatically every time you park, just swipe and save • 150 Aero plan points for each stay will be added to their profile per stay • Earn loyalty points which goes towards free parking • Opt in to receive the text message when you land

For a limited time Abbotsford Chamber members can get a voucher for 2 days Free parking with Park’N Fly.

SS! E N I S U B RE OF A C G hicle? e N I v a K g n TA i s ing or lea y Selling, bu Chances are you have a busy lifestyle and need expert help Wayne & Jimmy are eager to help and have the ‘know how’ to get you rolling! ‘

To get your voucher email our Membership Development Representative - Duncan D’Mello at duncan@abbotsfordchamber.com or call him at (604) 859-9651 ext. 350.

wnelson@murraygmabbotsford.com

jnguyen@murraygmabbotsford.com yg

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Abbotsford News Friday, March 20, 2015

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Monthly publication brought to you courtesy of our Media Partner:

E N G AG I N G C O N S U M E R S • B U I L D I N G C O M M U N I T Y

2015

CHAMBER

TEAM MEMBERS

abbotsfordchamber.com

8th Annual Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce Business Showcase You are invited to attend the Fraser Valley’s most inclusive networking event of the year!

Allan Asaph

La Vonne Bandsma

allan@abbotsfordchamber.com

Lavonne@ abbotsfordchamber.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Carole Jorgensen

EVENT COORDINATOR

Carole@ abbotsfordchamber.com

Presented by the Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Cloverdale, Langley, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, Mission, Surrey and South Surrey-White Rock.

OFFICE MANAGER

Duncan D’Mello