CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MERGER: Chamber leaders John Goedecke and Jeannine Cimino unveil the logo for the newly formed Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber at a meeting last Thursday at Mercer Oaks in West Windsor. (Photo courtesy of Matt Pilsner Photography)

By Donald Gilpin

The MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce (MJCC) and the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce (PRCC) have merged to become the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber (PMRC), the two groups announced last Thursday at a meeting at Mercer Oaks in West Windsor.

The consolidation of the two chambers will create an organization that serves more than 10,000 individual contacts, more than 1,600 member companies, and a network of more than 350,000 employees. The new chamber will be the largest regional chamber in the state. The combined organization is expected to save companies and individuals money that has been spent on duplication of membership costs and programming, and, as Peter Crowley, president and CEO of the newly established PMRC pointed out, these funds can be reallocated to additional economic growth, nonprofit organizations in the region, or reinvested in new employees. 

Crowley further emphasized the importance of the unification. “We will now have one voice speaking for the area’s businesses, and it will provide a larger perspective for people to listen to,” he said.

In a letter to members of the two merging chambers, Crowley wrote, “Working together for over a year, our chambers have now joined and created a dynamic, forward-thinking organization that is rich in history, yet evolving to meet the changing needs of a diverse, innovative, and vibrant business community. MIDJersey’s 150-year legacy of regional support, coupled with Princeton’s international reputation and the Princeton Regional Chamber’s business and educational programs, creates a powerful voice for our business community.”

The announcement was made jointly by John Goedecke, chairman of the PRCC, and Jeannine Cimino, chairperson of the MJCC. Goedecke will continue as chairman of the new PMRC through the end of 2019 when his term expires, and Brenda Ross-Dulan will assume the chairperson’s responsibilities in January 2020. Cimino and Bill Rue are vice-chairpersons of the new organization.

“The consolidation brings unparalleled business support, increased visibility, and robust networking opportunities to our members and partners, as well as significant time and cost savings to the many companies in the region who were members of both chambers,” Goedecke said.

The PMRC will continue to coordinate more than 115 targeted workshop-style programs a year, including networking and educational events, highlighting industry segments and issues such as independent businesses, women in business, real estate, nonprofits, young professionals, international business, travel and tourism, economic development, technology, diversity and inclusion, and the New Jersey Entrepreneurial Network.

The Chamber’s headquarters are in Princeton, and will be moving later this month from Nassau Street offices to 600 Alexander Road. “We need more space as we continue to grow dramatically,” Crowley noted, “and parking will be easier with a large parking lot.”

The PMRC will serve clients from Mercer and surrounding counties, including Monmouth, Burlington, Somerset, Middlesex, Hunterdon, and Bucks in Pa., with outreach to regional chamber partners throughout Central New Jersey.

“This is an exciting day for the business community in the greater Mercer County region, which only stands to benefit from this new collective voice and vision,” said New Jersey Business & Industry Association President Michele Siekerka. “We look forward to working with this dynamic group to mutally promote an environment for business growth in the region and across the state.”