North Manchester Chamber, Manchester Main Street seek merger

By Joseph Slacian | The Paper of Wabash County

A public meeting to discuss the possibility of merging Manchester Main Street and the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce is planned for 7 p.m. June 4 at the Manchester Firehouse.

The respective boards of directors of the two organizations are proposing to join together and create a more streamlined organization with the strength and agility to take advantage of opportunities and address challenges impacting our community.

“Working together toward shared goals, we are better positioned to support successful implementation of North Manchester’s Comprehensive Plan, focus energy and resources for the benefit of our community, and eliminate overlapping agendas and service areas,” the groups wrote on their website.

In addition, it continued, “the new organization will be positioned to leverage and maximize resources and leadership to ensure the community’s success. Collaboration will provide better clarity and community interests and a sharper focus on quality growth and development-allowing creative thinkers to work on progressive solutions.”

Combining the organizations “will allow us to pursue larger goals and projects. Be more strategic in fundraising and expand diversity in our membership base,” the website continued.

A transition board has been appointed to work through the process of combining the two organizations.

The board’s goal is to ask the members of the two organizations to consider a consolidation plan in October 2018, and complete the transition by Dec. 31.

This meeting is for members of either group and any community members who want more information on the consolidation.

Members of both organizations will also get monthly updates of details on the transition. For more information on the consolidation please visit http://www.manchestermainstreet.org/nmcc-transition.html

The Chamber and Main Street, welcome the community to become informed on the newest change happening in our organizations.

This is the second time in the past year that two local organizations combined.

Last year, the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Group of Wabash County voted overwhelmingly to join forces, creating the new group, Grow Wabash County.