Two Chambers of Commerce Vote to Merge

MAGNOLIA, TX - Two local chambers of commerce have voted to reunify after a little more than a decade of operating separately.

The Greater Magnolia Chamber of Commerce and the Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce voted on Oct. 28 to merge both chambers of commerce after both chambers of commerce voted in May to form a joint committee to consider reunification and to study what the leadership and board will look like.

Until 2004, the Greater Magnolia Chamber of Commerce was the only chamber of commerce in the area, and had served the Magnolia business community for 30 years.

But in 2004, a small group seeking a separate identity broke off and formed the Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce to provide a greater focus on businesses along FM 1488 toward FM 2978.

“This is something we need to do now because of such rapid growth," said Dona Hunt, executive director for the Greater Magnolia Chamber of Commerce.

However, with the prospect of greater growth that will come with the expansion of FM 1488 between U.S. 290 and the Texas 249 that is currently under construction, the leadership in both chambers felt it was time to reunify and focus on the growth collectively.

Deborah Miller, who is a member of both chambers of commerce, a commonality in the Magnolia community, told the Houston Chronicle that it was time for the business community to help the chamber focus more on economic development, and less on networking.

"At the end of the day, we're still one, but if we're going to be regional, we need one voice,” she said.

The reunification is expected to begin on Jan. 1.

Image: AAA Texas Small Business via Flickr