Thursday, March 01, 2007

Nazareth Chamber Declines Offer to be Consumed

The Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce recently offered to absorb the Nazareth Chamber according to a report in the Express-Times (read the article here), but Board Members declined.

The article states that several LVCC members met with Nazareth Chamber Board Members, but Nazareth declined to merge with the much larger LVCC wishing to keep its local identity. At the same time they did state that they were open, and have previously held joint functions with the group.

The Nazareth Chamber extends beyond the NASD area and services central Northampton County, while the Slate Belt Chamber services the northeast portion of the county. LVCC merged with the Twin Rivers Chamber of Commerce (greater Easton area) last year and is now the 2nd largest Chamber in the Commonwealth of PA, trailing Philadelphia.

What do you think? Does the local area need its own Chamber or should it merge? Does it matter? Would there be more benefits for local businesses or less individualized service?

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