Growing Together in 2023, Annual Memberships with the Chamber, Celebrating 60 years as a Chamber

January 15, 2023

Dear Port McNeill & District Chamber Members, Community, Neighbouring Nations

Gilakas'la. We're into a New Year, and optimistic about what 2023 will bring. It seems as though we had a relatively healthy Holiday season across the North Island/Kwakwaka'wakw region, and are hoping the impacts of the pandemic are largely behind us. In December we had a holiday gathering with the restoration of our Business Awards post-covid, and can report that gathering of community was amazing to witness and participate in. Thank you to our sponsors, our volunteers, and congratulations to all the people who were recognized for their valuable contributions to business and community.

The upcoming year looks to be a promising one for the Chamber. Since COVID hit, we have dedicated ourselves to fixing our core services, performing internal policy review, strategic planning, and a reconciliation strategy in partnership with our Indigenous Liaisons and entrepreneurs, and we are set up for a bright future. We have applied for a number of grants and funding opportunities to support the new direction of business in our largely forestry-dependant community. We are also partnering with Port Hardy Chamber to bring back "Shop Local" campaigns and profile many local businesses trying to support a grass-roots economy. Strategically, we are focused on connecting people and businesses across the region, looking at succession planning, and supporting diversification, stewardship, innovation, and new ways of doing things in may sectors. We are hopeful that our expansion plans will bear fruit, and we will be able to provide direct technical development support to businesses in transition or entrepreneurs looking for opportunity. Expect news by April about the success of these applications.

There is an opportunity to help support this ''re-imagined'' Chamber model and community development work, and that's through a Chamber membership. We've been working together for 60 years to make Port McNeill & District a vital, viable place to live and we are not stopping now! For a nominal fee you can again get behind the good volunteers speaking for business, and your support is appreciated. Please join through our website, or watch your PO Boxes for a renewal. We are grateful for all who share a vision and are committed to navigating the ups, downs, and sideways of what it means to be in business. We are all travelling together "Wi'la'mola."

All the best for 2023, Gilakas'la

Eric Dutcyvich,

President, PMCC

"In 1961 local businesses that served the 400 residents began to work together on issues of common community interest. They formed the Port McNeill Chamber of Commerce in 1963 which eventually led to the incorporation of the Town of Port McNeill on February 18, 1966." (http://undiscoveredcoast.blogspot.com/2012/12/port-mcneill.html)

Indigenous Resource: www.umista.ca