Valdez Chamber of Commerce to Revitalize

Valdez Chamber of Commerce to Revitalize

By Pat Lynn
For The Star

TOTEM INN – After being dormant for years, efforts are now underway to revive the Valdez Chamber of Commerce.

The effort is being promoted by Stan Stephens, Joe Prax, Tom Bittner, Jody McDowell, Bill Wyatt and Pat Lynn.
Meeting at the Totem Inn Tuesday evening, the group agreed to begin modestly by establishing a phone number, an e-mail address, web page and a post office box. Anyone making contact with the Chamber of Commerce will be sent a package of local information.

The participants agreed that it sends a rather large negative message when individuals and business interests try to contact the Chamber of Commerce only to learn that one does not exist in Valdez.

There is no plan currently to require a dues-paying membership since that would require staff and the maintenance of a financial ledger, a bank account and such.

Instead, the group has opted to announce chamber meetings for anyone to attend and make suggestions on how the business community might be enhanced. Eventually, they hope a mission statement will emerge.

The first such meeting is set for Monday night, April 25 in the meeting room at Ernesto's Taqueria. Anyone with an interest in local business development is invited to attend and share their views.

The Valdez Chamber of Commerce bit the dust several years ago after a failed attempt to merge it with the Valdez Convention & Visitors Bureau.