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Chilliwack Business Walks to help foster downtown biz

Walks are geared to gathering data to develop programs/services to support Chilliwack business
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Get ready for Chilliwack Business Walks, starting Oct. 18 around Downtown Chilliwack.

It’s all about taking the pulse of the Chilliwack business community.

“We are pleased to have the first Chilliwack Business Walks happen downtown,” said Kyle Williams, BIA Executive Director. “The information gathered will provide a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with operating a business in Chilliwack.”

It was the folks at Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO) in partnership with the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association (BIA) who decided to jointly organize the walks.

Biz reps at each site will be asked a few questions about their operation by Business Walks volunteers from the Chamber and the BIA who will fan out across the community next week.

A ‘Business Walk’ is an effective way to learn more about local ventures by conducting short interviews at their place of business. The idea is that the data collected during the Business Walks may eventually be used to develop programs, services and support for Chilliwack businesses.

“Business retention and expansion is an essential component of our economic development efforts,” said Brian Coombes, CEPCO President. “The Business Walks program will enable us to connect with existing businesses that have made investments in Chilliwack, and already provide local employment.”

Volunteer teams of local leaders and community stakeholders will be talking to entrepreneurs face-to-face, in an effort to strengthen relationships and gather knowledge to foster a stronger business climate.

“We want them to know we value the fact that they are in our community,” added Coombes.

Business Walks will target a wide range of businesses in downtown Chilliwack, including Five Corners, Yale Road and Young Road towards Railway Avenue, and as many surrounding roads as possible.

They hope to conduct future walks in different neighbourhoods.

All information collected will be kept strictly confidential.

The Business Walks program started in Sacramento, California in 2010, and has since spread across North America, to include many B.C. communities.

Business owners and managers in the selected Business Walks area are encouraged to be at their business on the afternoon of Oct. 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to ensure they have a chance to participate.

For more details or to request a visit, please contact 604-792-7839 or info@businessinchilliwack.com.

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@chwkjourno
jfeinberg@theprogress.com

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Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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