t Companies too small to provide their own can get group rates.

The Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce is offering a benefits package to its members, giving local businesses access to discounts, services and, perhaps most significantly, a group health insurance package.

“Many of our members are in need of economically priced medical insurance,” said Chamber Executive Director Coreen Haydock Johnson. “We are happy to offer them this opportunity, as well as access to other valuable benefits.”

The chamber has contracted with Affiliated Associations of America (AAOA), a Redmond-based company designed to increase small businesses’ purchasing power and streamline support services.

Several programs — travel discounts, communications packages and business services — will now be included in all chamber memberships.

The insurance benefits packages are purchased separately, Johnson said that the individual business would need to determine whether that option is better than what they already have in place.

AAOA began as aggregate for all the 24-hour auto associations in the Pacific Northwest, but evolved into a membership organization for all categories of small business.

The chamber will host a benefits orientation meeting at 8 a.m. on Aug. 26 a the Purple Fig Catering, 322 Cline Ave., in Port Orchard.

A reservation is not required, but is appreciated.

For more information call (360) 876-3505.