Chamber, EDC have one vision

To those puzzling over the proposed merger of the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce and Spokane Area Economic Development Council: All the pieces are in place.

The two groups are becoming one, Heidi Stanley, incoming chamber chairwoman, told a crowd of 800 gathered Tuesday at the chamber’s annual meeting in the new convention center exhibition hall.

By the end of October, a brand new organization will emerge with a fresh name, a CEO and a governing board encompassing members from both associations, Stanley said after the luncheon.

“It’s all about inclusion, not exclusion,” said Stanley, who’s also chief operating officer of Sterling Savings Bank.

The marriage is expected to strengthen the blended organization’s ability to bolster the entire region.

“One vision. One team. One voice,” Stanley and Tom Fritz, chairman of the EDC, said in unison during closing remarks.

“It positions Spokane to be competitive not only on a national level, but an international level for sustained regional prosperity. We want to create a world-class business climate,” Fritz said.

Stanley said the wedding follows months of work, including visits to Milwaukee and Lexington, Ky., two cities where similar organizations are in place.

Tuesday’s meeting played off the puzzle theme, plastering brightly-colored puzzle pieces on the convention center’s floors and walls. Some pieces represented the four elements critical to regional business success, according to the chamber: Public affairs, work-force development, small business and business development.