Small Vancouver Island chambers unite for economic punch

With a view to improving work on economic development and government relations, the chambers of commerce from around southern Vancouver Island have banded together to create the Southern Vancouver Island Chamber Alliance.

The SVICA is being billed as a collaboration of small and medium-sized chambers from the Gulf Islands, Saanich Peninsula, WestShore, Esquimalt, Duncan, Sooke, South Cowichan, Ladysmith and Port Renfrew that will pursue common interests on behalf of their 2,200 combined business members.

“There is so much to gain when chambers can collaborate at this level,” said Saanich Peninsula Chamber executive director Chris Fudge. “We deal with many of the same issues and challenges in our respective arenas, so it is only natural for us to look for solutions together.”

The newly created chamber, which will meet once a quarter, will focus on shared issues of government relations, economic development, entrepreneurial training, event cross-

promotions, best practices and innovation.