Mission & Goals - Projects & Services

Mission Statement: The Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce is committed to quality growth and development of the Chugiak-Eagle River Community. The following goals have been selected to facilitate this mission.

A SAMPLE OF YOUR CHAMBER PROJECTS & SERVICES

BEAR PAW 2008

2008 will mark the 23rd year of the Bear Paw Festival. The theme for this year's event is "Barnum & Bearly - Under the Big Top"  so dust off your clown suit and get out that trapeze -- this promises to be a jolly good time!. Confirmation of corporate partners and events are ongoing throughout the year. Our outreach extends throughout south-central Alaska. The festival is family oriented and has a wonderful classic car show, large community parade, family picnic with youth games, motorcycle show, great contests including Slippery Salmon Olympics and the Bear Paw Frolic 300 Yard Fun Run (because after 300 yards it isn't fun anymore.) Mark your calendars for 2008 - July 9 -13 and help celebrate your community!

Our town clock is guided by the stars (really the satellites) it is both beautiful and accurate.  The clock is joint project between the Chamber and the Chugiak-Eagle River Foundation with major support from the Rasmuson Foundation and many residents and businesses in the community in 2006.  Located at the South entrance of the Eagle River business district in Chief Alex Park, the Town Clock is surrounded by a commemorative brick garden and picnic tables for the community's enjoyment.

This Chamber project began in 1983 and continues to enjoys excellent volunteer support from Cub Scouts, Alaska Military Youth Academy as well as Eagle River/Chugiak Parks, Recreation and Community Development. Supported with business and resident donations as well as the famous Spring Tea (which features the "Man's Table") the park is well maintained and home to our new Town Clock. The Chamber also hangs the downtown beautification banners every summer and promotes the City of Lights in October. Finally, the Summer Yard of the Week Program, co-sponsored with the Alaska Star, provides friendly competition throughout the area.

URBAN REDEVELOPMENT

The Chamber Board has a very active committee working on the creation of a Town Center. The committee is in negotiations with many government entities, supporting retail and nonprofits that will provide a broad base of resources, including City offices, all under one roof.

DIRECTORIES: The 13th edition of the Chugiak-Eagle River Business & Services Director, scheduled for publication at the end of 2008, draws attention to goods and services available locally. The book features lots of information on our local community and is an excellent resource for new residents.

MAPS: The Chamber has updated community maps available at no charge through the Chamber office. .

VISITOR BROCHURES: A colorful visitor brochure updating things to see and do in our community is available. The office also serves as a community visitor and information center and features updated community brochures from around Alaska. .

CONTINUING EDUCATION

The Chamber works with various members and agencies such as the Small Business Development center at UAA, with Eagle River Job Service and several other professionals to provide ongoing education for small business at a convenient and cost effective rate .Check with the Chamber for the upcoming classes.

The Chamber Annual Golf Tournament, scheduled for June 6, 2008 at the famous Settler's Bay Greens, helps keep our doors open. This is a shotgun start - teams of four - is a fun event for the novice and expert alike. Great prizes and loads of fun every year. 

Chamber member businesses can hold open-house promotional receptions during the year under The Business After Hours Program. To schedule your night, call the Chamber at 907-694-4702 and showcase your business with other Chamber members.

Luncheon Forums continue throughout the year on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Bear Mountain Grill. Speakers are scheduled about 8 weeks out. The monthly newsletter and regular e-mail notices of events provides additional outreach to our members to keep them informed and networked.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Operation of our staffed visitor and community information center is a year-round activity with lots of folks (both visitors and residents) coming through the office. The Chamber continues to provide signup support for nonprofit recreation organizations, as well as State Park Day Parking Passes for residents' convenience. 

In addition to working with our business community, the Chamber actively meets with many agencies and organizations to keep abreast of current community issues.

The Chamber Ambassador Program is wildly successful with 50+ members. These folks are very active in volunteer programs sponsored or supported by our Chamber.

GOVERNMENT & LANDUSE

The Chamber Government & Legislative Affairs committee meets one on one with our legislators annually on issues affecting the State of Alaska and local capital projects.

Your Chamber is actively working on land use issues in the downtown area.  An overlay district is under consideration in the old part of downtown which would provide some controls and guidance on land left to be developed and properties slated for redevelopment.  This effort is ongoing in 2007.

EDUCATION

The Chamber has a strong working relationship with the Anchorage School District and the UAA/CER campus. The community currently has 11 public schools -- 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools.  In addition, three private schools are an option within the community (see local phone numbers).

Anchorage Police Department continues to serve this community and the Chamber is working to increase their presence in the community with a manned substation in Eagle River in the new town center accessible to the general public.

Anchorage Fire Department, Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department and Southfork Fire Department have strong and active presence in the community. The community is in discussions for a a new manned Fire Station up Eagle River Road. The Chamber continues to be an outlet for AFD on wild-land fire mitigation information and disaster preparedness.

The Chamber supports the recycling center at the Hiland Landfill and is an active participant in the City-Wide Cleanup sponsored by the Anchorage Chamber in May of each year. Infrastructure extensions of water and sewer are generally support when public health is an issue.