Peace River and District Chamber of Commerce members were elated to discover they’d been chosen to receive the Chamber-of-the-Year award at the Alberta Chambers of Commerce annual general meeting and policy plenary session in Medicine Hat on May 31.

Peace River was handed the award for Chamber-of-the-Year for chambers of similar size in the province.

Peace River Chamber of Commerce executive director Reilly Bassendowski says their group is thrilled to have been selected to win the award.

“It’s exciting for the Peace River and District Chamber of Commerce to be acknowledged on a provincial level,” she says.

“The chamber has been working hard to better represent our business community both locally and provincially and it’s an honour to have our efforts recognized by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.”

Bassendowski says it’s great to be recognized for all of the hard work their team has been doing in recent years.

“People often don’t realize the work that is being done behind the scenes at the chamber so it’s great to have the recognition and validation from the chamber network that we are showing up, we are putting in the effort and we are making a difference in our community,” Bassendowski says.

“We are continuously advocating the Peace River Region,” she adds.

In addition to receiving the award, the chamber was also able to advocate for its business community during the policy plenary during the AGM. During the session, the local chamber introduced and helped to pass a policy recommendation advocating for the advancement of Highway 686.

Bassendowski explains Highway 686 will connect Peerless Lake to the Fort McMurray region.

“There is currently no direct route from Peace River to Fort McMurray, this leaves many communities without reliable access to essential services or emergency evacuation routes,” she explains.

“Improved infrastructure would enhance emergency response times ensuring quicker access to medical and essential services for remote communities,” she adds.

“Northern Alberta’s economy is constrained by limited transportation infrastructure, with only one major rail line and a single primary roadway serving the region.”

She adds this bottleneck restricts industrial growth and diversification. A developed transportation and utility corridor would foster local

business growth and job creation in forestry, tourism, resource development and construction.

“The expansion of transportation access would lower costs for businesses and consumers by improving supply chain efficiency and reducing transportation expenses,” Bassendow- ski notes.

“The chamber is passionate about representing and supporting our local business community. Our priorities include making it easier for businesses to do business, reducing costs associated with operating a business, less regulation and red tape, increasing accessibility and affordability within the region while also improving economic development.”

Bassendowski explains Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) hosts several advocacy events throughout the year, like Political Action Day, that the chamber frequently attends to ensure that its community has a voice and is represented within Alberta.

“Having a voice at these events and at the provincial level is beneficial to our business community and region as a whole,” she explains.

“While attending the ACC AGM our president, Layne Gardner, was nominated to the ACC Executive Committee, which will allow us to have an even stronger voice across the province while we advocate and advance causes important to our business community and the efforts of our chamber.”

Gardner will hold a five-year term and will work with ACC to advocate for the Peace region.

“I am excited to serve at the provincial level to continue advocating for the Peace Region, gaining knowledge and experience, and establishing contacts and connections that will further advance th efforts of our chamber,” says Gardner.

The Peace River and District Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a free networking social June 13 from 5-7:30 pm at Peace River Brewing to celebrate their recent accomplishments.

“The networking social is an opportunity for members of Peace River’s business community to connect and build relationships while also celebrating their chamber’s recent accomplishments,” says Bassendowski.