Powell River Chamber of Commerce has asked City of Powell River to rescind the chamber’s request to increase business licence fees, which, if adopted, would have meant all businesses in the city would be chamber members.
In a letter to city council, chamber of commerce president Telis Savvaidis said following a recent meeting of the chamber’s board of directors, the board passed a unanimous motion to rescind the chamber’s request to the city that would increase the cost of city business licence fees by $40, in order to provide each business a membership to the chamber.
“After further discussion and input from business and the non-business community, we feel that other, more amicable options exist to continue building our working relationship with city council, other business-related organizations and the general public,” said Savvaidis. “The board of directors and staff at the chamber of commerce are now working on a proposal to further collaborate with the city through a funding request for all we provide for the city and surrounding areas. A letter of request will be forthcoming.”
Savvaidis said the chamber wants to do what’s best for businesses in Powell River.
“By rescinding this request we are showing we are not forcing businesses to do something they don’t want to do in this community,” said Savvaidis.
He added that the chamber is a resource the community needs and is the first to stand up for matters affecting the business community.
“We work hard within the business community to make sure they understand what is going on in the community,” said Savvaidis. “In the coming months I will be going door-to-door to all of our business members, introducing myself and talking about the chamber.
“I will also be going to other businesses and talking to them about the chamber, asking if they’d like to join. The stronger we get, the better it is for the community. By doing that we’ll build stronger community and a stronger business community.”
Savvaidis said the chamber is a value-added community organization, and as such, it offers much to the city and surrounding area residents, such as: all-candidates forums, newcomers’ socials, annual business awards, monthly luncheons, and above all, an office location at the gateway to Powell River for tourists, transient boaters, new residents and new and established entrepreneurs.
“All in all, we look forward to our growing and mutual commitment to provide the best possible services to both our organization and the city,” said Savvaidis.
