The Leader-Herald
JOHNSTOWN - A Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry official told the Fulton County Board of Supervisors the merger between it and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce could be finalized by late summer.
The chamber's interim president, Mark Kilmer, briefed the Fulton County Board of Supervisors' Economic Development and Environment Committee last week on the merger.
Members of both his chamber and the Montgomery County chamber April 26 voted to merge into one organization. It will be known as the Fulton-Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce.
"Everything's moving smoothly," Kilmer said at the Fulton County Office Building.
Kilmer said both chambers' events are starting to be shown online together on each other's websites. For example, the chamber's Business After Hours event at Perthshire on Thursday also is promoted on the Montgomery County chamber's website.
Kilmer noted the chambers' merger is still not official because it must be approved by the state. But he said that approval may come in the next three to four months. He said there still also must be a filing through the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Even though separate offices are currently being maintained, the two agencies are gearing up for the merger, he said.
"We're working as a merged chamber," Kilmer said. "After July, August and September, I assume you will notice a difference. We'll be acting as a combined chamber."
Chamber Tourism Director Gina DaBiere-Gibbs told the committee of upcoming events in Fulton County. They include the Third Annual Peck's Lake Sprint Triathlon planned for Aug. 4. She said 13 athletes were registered so far. She said the chamber has secured $1,250 in sponsorship and food donorship funding. She said registration forms are available on the chamber website, and updates are found on the tourism Facebook page and 44lakes.com/blog.
DaBiere-Gibbs also said the 18th Annual $10,000 "Bet on Fulton County" raffle is set for Aug. 3 at the Holiday Inn. She said $100 tickets can be purchased at the hotel, chamber office, and Partner's Pub.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.