The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce has been recognized for its role in supporting farmers and businesses to recover after the devastating floods that affected the region in November.
The BC Economic Development Association (BCEDA) recently presented the chamber with its 2022 Economic Recovery and Resiliency Award for its work on the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund (ADRF).
The award recognizes outstanding work in supporting local economies and making a meaningful community contribution.
The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) and the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) formed the ADRF to provide immediate and long-term assistance to organizations, businesses and farms affected by the floods.
The ADRF has raised more than $4.3 million to provide ongoing assistance for the future and has so far disbursed $1.1 million in relief grants.
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The BCEDA said the ADRF received the award as a recognition of its “replicable approach to promote long-term resiliency and sustainability from future disasters.”
Abbotsford Chamber CEO Katerina Anastasiadis said the agency is proud of the work they have been able to accomplish with their ADRF partners.
She said a key priority was to provide immediate funding but to also keep the medium- and long-term rebuilding efforts in mind.
“The agricultural businesses in Abbotsford are a key economic generator for the region, and all of Canada. The chamber will continue its mission of supporting our community and agricultural businesses beyond this disaster and its ongoing impacts,” Anastasiadis said.
Craig Toews, vice-president external at UFV, and ACF executive director Wendy Neufeld said they are grateful that the ADRF has been recognized.
“We are extremely grateful for the leadership and passion that the Abbotsford Chamber put into this fundraising initiative and for the chamber’s continued persistence during the pandemic in finding creative ways to support our business community,” Toews said.
Neufeld said the work the chamber has done to facilitate grants from the ADRF to farmers and businesses has been “outstanding.”
“The Abbotsford Community Foundation believes in supporting our community now and forever and this partnership is a great example of our collective impact in Abbotsford,” she said.
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