NEW YORK: After years of discussion, a merger between the Hispanic and Corpus Christi Chambers of Commerce will take place.
Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce CEO Foster Edwards informed KRIS6 News Tuesday afternoon that a vote tallied this afternoon has a majority of the members of both chambers voting in favor of the merger.
Twenty-one percent of the Corpus Christi Chamber members voted, 96% were in favor of the merger. Thirty percent of the Hispanic Chamber members voted, and 80% in favor.
This effort is 5 years in the making.
“You can do more. You have more resources, you have more staff, you have more money. And so that’s just good for the community,” said Foster Edwards, CC Chamber of Commerce CEO.
One new thing they’re adding is a small business council to help grow and support our small businesses. Celebrating the Hispanic culture will be a priority with the new chamber.
“It’s going to be just a wonderful opportunity to blend our Hispanic culture with the Corpus Christi Chamber culture which in many ways it’s the same thing,” said Rosie Collin, Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Chair-Elect.
“As a Hispanic who’s Chairman of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, I think I’m an example of where this community has changed, how this community has evolved,” said Gabe Guerra, Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Chair.
With members approving the merger, now the real work begins on with the details, such as budget, board of directors, bylaws and much more.
A Transition Advisory Team, that consists of board members from both chambers, has been created. They’ll meet next week to try and nail down a timeline for this merger.
