Vision 2009

The Future is Now!
The Golden Ears Gateway is Open for Business

Looking ahead to 2009, the Chamber will invest time and resources into continuing to improve its relationships within the community and will spearhead numerous initiatives to support the changes the region will be going through over the next two (2) years. The Chamber will also be more active in a policy and advocacy role, working with both councils on business taxation, crime prevention and reduction, economic development and tourism.

We predict a major shift in how business will perceive the eastern portion of the “Metro Vancouver” region and the new opportunities for trade relationships between Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Mission and Abbotsford. Port Coquitlam will also play a major role in the growth of the region we are calling the “Golden Ears Gateway”, a concept validated by recent studies around the expansion of both the Abbotsford and Pitt Meadows Airport and the Ministry of Small Business and revenues.

Also of note, major investment is coming to the area with the expansion of the Abernathy connector to 256th, the Translink  / BCIT training facility near the new Golden Ears bridge, the new Gaming Centre in Maple Ridge, and two (2) new towers on Ford Road and Harris in Pitt Meadows.

With operational, management and financial stability in place the last goals for the Chamber team heading into 2009 were to recruit and retain key individuals for our Board of Directors. With seven (7) returning Board Members and two-term President, Jeff Carpenter, stepping aside, the 2009 Board will have five (5) new faces including more women and representation from Translink, tourism, technology and retail.