East Liverpool, St. Clair Chambers Agree to Merge
EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio – The East Liverpool and St. Clair chambers of commerce have agreed to pool their resources and create a larger, more effective regional chamber, members say.
In a letter to their respective members, East Liverpool chamber President Todd Alexander and St. Clair President Daniel Wolfe announced that the two organizations have agreed to a set of bylaws and the creation of the Southern Columbiana County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
"As was successfully demonstrated in Mahoning County with the combining of their chambers, we believe this will lead to a stronger organization to advocate for the business community in southern Columbiana County and offer additional benefits to members," the letter says.
Over the last 12 months, members of both organizations discussed a union of their chambers and both boards decided the time is right to merge.
The committee reviewing the merger has proposed new bylaws based on the bylaws of each chamber, the letter said. Among the recommendations:
- A board composed of 20 directors that include nine directors from each chamber, a St. Clair Township trustee, and the mayor of East Liverpool.
- Each director serves a three-year term and must leave the board at least one year before serving another.
- Officers elected the first year will be Todd Alexander, president, Dan Wolfe, president-elect, Joe Shemasek, past president, and a treasurer to be named.
- The new chamber will maintain office space in both St. Clair Township and downtown East Liverpool.
Both chamber boards have approved the recommendations.
A special meeting for members of both chambers is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the American Spirit Building, 114 West Fifth St., to vote on the proposal.