Two Valley chambers of commerce announce cross partnership
A new Cross Chamber Partnership between the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce was recently announced.
Two of the Mon Valley’s chambers of commerce will partner to bring even more opportunities for members.
The Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce recently announced a new Cross Chamber Partnership. Starting Thursday, members of each chamber will be able to take advantage of events, networking opportunities, programs, and activities offered by both organizations.
“For the community, that means more opportunities to discover local businesses, build relationships, attend community events, and strengthen the connections that keep our local economy moving. When businesses have more opportunities to connect and collaborate, those benefits ultimately extend beyond the business community and into the communities they serve,” Spada said.
Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dorothea Pemberton views the partnership as an opportunity to strengthen the Valley’s business community, as well as allow both chambers to build off of each other’s strengths, relationship and resources to better serve the Mid-Mon Valley’s business community.
“The Monongahela Area Chamber has always focused on supporting local businesses, promoting commerce and improving the quality of life in Monongahela, New Eagle and Carroll Township,” Pemberton said. “The Mon Valley Regional Chamber brings a broader regional network and a strong focus on business education, networking and advocacy. Together, there is an opportunity to connect businesses that may not have traditionally interacted and to create more opportunities for collaboration. For the business community, the impact could be significant. Businesses should see more opportunities to network, share resources, promote their products and services, and develop relationships with other businesses throughout the Mon Valley. A stronger regional connection can also make it easier for businesses to learn about available resources, workforce opportunities, educational programs and initiatives that can help them grow.”
Pemberton also believes that the partnership will give the Mid-Mon Valley business community a stronger collective voice. According to Pemberton, the goal is to expand business relationships and create a larger network of businesses and community partners that engages in frequent collaboration.
“When businesses and community organizations work together across municipal boundaries, we can better identify common challenges and opportunities and work toward solutions that benefit the entire region,” Pemberton said. “The goal is not to lose the local identity or personal relationships that make the Monongahela Area Chamber valuable. Instead, it is about expanding those relationships and creating a larger network of businesses and community partners. The Mon Valley Regional Chamber already serves a broad Mid-Mon Valley area that includes Monongahela, New Eagle, Carroll Township and many surrounding communities, so there is a natural opportunity for the
00090239
organizations to complement one another. Ultimately, we believe the partnership can help create a more connected, collaborative and visible business community. When businesses support one another and communities work together, it creates more opportunities for economic growth and makes the entire Mon Valley a stronger place to do business.”
Spada is hopeful the partnership will strengthen connections.
Through the partnership, each chamber will honor the membership of the other, allowing members to participate in events, networking opportunities, and programs offered by both organizations.
“I think the biggest opportunity is connection and growth,” Spada said. “We want to break down some of the invisible lines that can exist between neighboring communities and create a larger network of businesses, professionals, organizations, and community leaders who know one another and work together. We don’t know yet what every opportunity will look like, but by bringing the two chamber networks together, we’re creating the foundation for future collaboration. At the end of the day, this partnership is about one thing: creating a stronger, more connected Mon Valley business community. Two chambers may have different names and individual identities, but when we work together, we can create more opportunities for the businesses and communities we serve.”
The Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce serves the communities of Monongahela, New Eagle and Carroll Township. Previously known as the Businessman’s Association, The Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1958, with its office located on Main Street in Monongahela.
The Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, previously known as the Charleroi Chamber of Commerce, was founded in 1921, and has served the local business community for over 80 years. The Chamber was restructured to cover all areas of the Mon Valley and was renamed the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2001. Its office is located at Chamber Plaza in Charleroi.
