Since reactivating in February, the West Prince Chamber’s membership list has grown to 50. Recently hired as the Chambers Executive Director, Rix is hoping to see that number doubled.
She lists several benefits of membership: advocacy for small business, Shop Local programs, business mixers, excellence awards, business relationship and referrals, promotion and advertising, increased awareness and attraction, inclusion in a West Prince business directory, Esso fuel discounts and participation in a Chamber group medical insurance plan.
It costs $100 plus HST to join.
“Chambers are among the most active and necessary organizations happening now, and not just for businesses, but for communities too,” she said. CBDC West Prince Ventures and its manager, Maxine Rennie, have been working with a group of local business professionals to facilitate the revitalization of the Chamber. Office space for the organization is provided in the Rural Action Centre in Alberton
Rix, an entrepreneur and a member of the O’Leary Kraft Hockeyville organization committee, brings her professional business background and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that small businesses in West Prince can face, said the organization’s president, Geoffrey Irving.
Irving is thrilled with the opportunity the organization provides for businesses to embrace new networking activities. The chamber is organizing a year-round schedule of lunches, breakfasts, mixers and other special events to make meeting and mixing with potential business partners, clients and new friends more enjoyable, he said.
“The West Prince Chamber is at an exciting new crossroads and ready for its next development. We now get to define what the future looks like with our members, with our partners and with our province,” Rix offered. “We are going to build on the strengths that have served West Prince businesses and their communities, and we are also going to develop exciting new ones.”
Over the next few weeks Rix and executive members plan to approach local business people, including farmers and fishermen, about purchasing Chamber memberships. “Reaching out to people for a stronger sense of community is what it will take,” she said.
