Promote local & regional businesses
WHAT WE DO
The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce (NDCC) is a member-driven organization comprised of more than 500 small-to-medium sized businesses throughout Nelson and area, including the communities of Harrop-Procter, Balfour and Ainsworth.
A not-for-profit organization, incorporated under the Federal Board of Trade Act, the Chamber is governed by a Board of Directors who adhere to the NDCC’S Bylaws and Constitution.
We’re also a member of the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Through our advocacy efforts, and our work with the Nelson and Area Economic Development Partnership, we promote business growth, sustainable development and job creation while facilitating strong, productive relationships with the community, educational institutions, businesses, non-profits and government organizations.
The Chamber is also a great first point of contact for business and relocation questions, Imagine Kootenay and Investment inquiries, directions to local, Provincial, and Federal government agencies and Ministers, and the BC Provincial Nominee Program.
Location & Hours
91 Baker Street, Nelson BC V1l 4G8
250-352-3433
Operating hours
Monday thru Friday
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Business Advocacy
Shape local policy & drive development
Advocacy with local, provincial & federal government
Part of a strong member-driven organization with over 500 members
Membership perks like group benefits and professional development
ADVOCACY – GOING TO BAT FOR YOUR BUSINESS
You tell us. And we’ll tell them. By regularly engaging our member businesses and the rest of the community, the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce identifies issues of concern amongst all sectors of our local economy. No issue is too small.
Fact: the Chamber is most effective when its membership is activated and informed. So, we undertake consistent outreach with round table discussions, sector consultations and surveys. These efforts help identify and address issues affecting Nelson and our district communities.
The Chamber also engages the people who can further help address those concerns — agencies, elected officials and senior staff in all levels of government. (Particularly local and regional levels. They’re the governments that most BC business owners say has the biggest impact on day-to-day operations.)
When it comes to bigger picture issues, the Chamber has great strength in numbers.
Our membership in the British Columbia and Canadian Chambers of Commerce connects us with 200,000 businesses across Canada! This lobbying power is of primary effectiveness when advocating and addressing concerns to the senior levels of the provincial and federal government. https://bcchamber.org/bc-chamber-policy/https://chamber.ca/advocacy/
By engaging, supporting and informing the business community, the Chamber helps shape dialogue, connecting questions with answers, and problems with solutions.
Here are some of the priority areas the Nelson and Area Chamber of Commerce is working on right now:
- Business recovery and COVID business support and navigation
- Labour and workforce shortage solutions
- Railtown development and business investment attraction
- Temporary patios and the maintenance of a vibrant downtown core
- Advocating for fair taxation on local businesses and industry, via the City of Nelson, RDCK, Provincial and Federal governments
- Advocating for more streamlined legalized cannabis production and sales regulations
- Addressing the affordable housing shortage for the local workforce, and advocacy to the City, RDCK, Provincial and Federal governments. Members are becoming increasingly concerned with the scarcity of affordable housing available to our local workforce, particularly for those earning low to moderate wages. The Chamber will continue to advocate to local, regional, Provincial and Federal governments to invest in, develop taxation policy, or reduce or defer development cost charges that would stimulate housing and rental inventories.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The City of Nelson has seen strong growth and development in years past. But it’s poised for even more. Continued sustainable growth and diversification of Nelson’s local and regional economy are vital steps towards the community’s economic health and resilience.
More employment opportunities attract new residents. And even more importantly to those who already call Nelson home, jobs allow families and friends to stay here — or return to the community to raise families and build homes of their own.
Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Goals
- Strengthen partnerships within the Nelson and area business community
- Foster the growth of a diversified local economy that values creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation
- Retain and expand local businesses and promote new job creation
- Encourage growth in the commercial and industrial tax base
- Encourage public and private capital investment in the city and new areas like the Railtown District
- Market Nelson and its district communities as an attractive destination for business development imaginekootenay.com
- Attract and retain skilled entrepreneurial immigrants with the potential to invest, work and live in Nelson
- Promote a diversity of affordable housing to attract young families and help those in need of housing support
CONNECT WITH US
We’re here to help! Get in touch with the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce to find out more about starting or growing your business or investing in Nelson today.
The Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce acknowledges that the land on which we live, work, and play is the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, the Syilx, and the Sinixt peoples and is home to the Métis and many diverse Aboriginal persons. We honour their connection to the land and rivers and respect the importance of the environment to our strength as a community.