The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday a comprehensive plan to strengthen its focus on core member services and advocacy for local businesses.

The Chamber鈥檚 focus in 2011 will be on technology, educational programs, member programs and sustained advocacy on issues affecting its membership while continuing its work on business tax reduction, the proposed homeless shelter and at a provincial level, lobby for the agricultural community and 鈥渂uy local鈥� incentives.

That strengthening of services, shift in energy and devotion to improving the business climate locally means the Chamber has decided to step away from running the Comox Valley Visitor Centre, choosing not to submit a bid for delivering visitor services in the new regional centre.

鈥淲hile we have long provided visitor services to the Comox Valley, we need to step away from that in order to address the growing needs of businesses in the Comox Valley including services, relationship building, education and advocacy at the local and provincial levels,鈥� said newly installed board Chair Bob Scales. 鈥淭hrough turning our focus to those core programs, we are able to greatly enhance the profile of Chamber members in the community as well as throughout the province.鈥�

鈥淲e wish Comox Valley Economic Development the best of luck with the new centre. It will surely be a fantastic addition to the Valley and the Chamber will be there to ensure a smooth transition for the new operator.鈥�

The Chamber has provided visitor services as a contractor at its current location on Cliffe Avenue and will continue to do so at that location through March 2012, when the new centre at the interchange of the Inland Island Highway and Comox Valley Parkway is slated to be fully operational.

The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce with its 750 members has served the region for the past century, and looks forward to continuing to serve as the voice of business in the Comox Valley.

鈥� Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce