The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce polled its members in November to determine 2009 public affairs priorities.
Eight percent of its 1,200 members responded. Of those, 52 percent said the Columbia River Crossing was a top concern, followed by regional transportation issues and health insurance availability and costs.
Chamber leaders will share these priorities with legislators and organizations representing areas of concern, such as health insurance companies, said Kim Capeloto, interim chief executive officer.
Behind higher education funding, tax increment financing is fifth on the priority list. The program would help fund development infrastructure, Capeloto said.
Despite the single-digit response rate, Capeloto said the survey garnered one of GVCC’s strongest-ever responses. To glean more on local business concerns, GVCC will host an event with eight local business groups in early December.
“(I hope to) find out if their priorities are the same as ours and see if we can come together on any of those,” Capeloto said. “That’s going to give a much stronger message than nine separate messages.”
The chamber members’ public affairs priorities are close to those the chamber set with Identity Clark County and the Columbia River Economic Development Council. As of Nov. 25, the groups agreed on transportation, economic development and higher education as shared business priorities for the coming year, Capeloto said.
