By PETER DOWNS , STANDARD STAFF /March 25 2011
Not everyone in the region may want to hear it, but Niagara businesses have a new official voice.
A fledgling business advocacy group has been granted approval by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to incorporate itself as the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.
The new chamber aims to operate in concert with local municipal chambers, but focus on issues that affect businesses across the peninsula, said one of the key players behind the initiative.
"We're all looking after our own little piece of the pie. The problem is the pie's shrinking and we need to work together or we're dead in the water," said Mike Watt, vice-president of Walker Industries.
"Parochialism is really killing us here and we need to act together."
But not all local chambers are welcoming the addition of a regional organization.
The Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce has questioned whether the new group will help businesses or create another layer of bureaucracy that will make matters more complicated.
"If you start up another group, the message could get diluted," Niagara Falls chamber chairman Tim Parker said.
"We have to formulate a plan, outlining the goals and the finances behind it."
Watt acknowledged the initiative got a "mixed" reception from local chambers during discussions over the past year or so of planning.
"A lot of the chambers are for it and a couple of them are not quite sure whether they want to be part of this or not," he said.
The St. Catharines-Thorold Chamber of Commerce is convinced the new body will help represent business interests across Niagara.
"I really believe the biggest issues facing businesses in Niagara are regional issues," chamber chai rman Dave DiFelice said, pointing to taxation and economic development as examples.
"They're issues that are very difficult for municipal chambers to address."
The regional chamber will undoubtedly change the playing field for the local chamber, but it's too early to say how, DiFelice said.
"I think it will cause us to evolve, exactly how is a question we'll have to get some direction from our membership on," he said.
The new chamber is not meant to replace local groups, but to complement them, said founding member Steven Megannety.
"We do not want to take away their roles because we think they do their functions ... so well. Why would you want to change that?"
Attracting jobs to Niagara -- regardless of which municipality will land them -- will be a key focus of the organization, said Megannety.
"We don't care where the jobs go," he said. "We need to have more economic development throughout the region. That's the key to the adventure."
-- With files from QMI Agency
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce off the ground
Thursday, Mar 24, 7:35am By:Bullet Media
The Steering Committee for the new regional business advocacy group today announced it has incorporated a new organization after gaining the approval of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for the creation of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.
"We have been in discussions with the local Chamber network for the past eight months," said Steven Megannety, a founding member of the new chamber.
"We understand clearly how each Chamber perceives their role within their respective municipality, and we are not interested in challenging that. We are, however, committed to building a regional voice for business in Niagara."
The announcement of the formation of a regional business association last week has struck a cord with many business owners, entrepreneurs and regional associations, Megannety said in a release.
"We received a lot of positive feedback," added Mike Watt, Vice President of Walker Environmental.
"It's time for a stronger regional business voice – and that message has resonated with businesses."
In the coming weeks, the Steering Committee will be releasing details of its organizational structure, continuing its meetings with municipal chambers, and appointing a board of directors.