The Greater Niles (Mich.) Chamber of Commerce has emerged from the completed combination of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce and Southwest Michigan Economic Growth Alliance.
The boards of directors for both organizations announced the merger was completed in late December after more than a year of discussions to bring the business groups together.
The new organization will be housed in Niles (Mich.) City Hall, 333 North Second St., Suite 302.
The Greater Niles chamber will contract with the South Bend Regional Chamber for administrative and support services. Staffing for the Greater Niles chamber will primarily be provided by South Bend chamber staff including, Jeff Rea, president and CEO; Barkley Garrett, director of economic development; Eileen Villanueva, membership coordinator and other South Bend chamber staff.
Barbara Craig, vice president, student engagement and support at Lake Michigan College and co-chair of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, said the completed merger marks the culmination of conversations about how to best serve the needs of the business community and the Niles Area.
“The missions of both organizations are similar, and the boards of directors have determined that together we’ll be able to more efficiently deliver a high level of service to our customers and our community,” Craig said.
David Eifler, market president for Horizon Bank and SMEGA board chair, said while both organizations performed slightly different functions, they shared a vision of being a catalyst for economic growth.
“Now, together, we’ll be better positioned to raise the profile of our area, which in turn will drive new economic activity,” he said.
The Four Flags chamber was established in 1919 and has about 300-member businesses. SMEGA provides economic development services to the greater Niles-Buchanan, Mich. area.
