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TYRONE -- While the Blair County Chamber of Commerce and Altoona Blair County Development Corp. continue talks on merging, another chamber is seeking input on possibly merging with them.
Blair Chamber President/CEO Joe Hurd and ABCD Corp. President/CEO Steve McKnight have been invited to address the Tyrone Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 16 at the Bull Pen Restaurant to explain what possibilities are available.
"It will be a good opportunity to answer questions the Tyrone Chamber Board may have about our merger process and how the two organizations may continue to work together for shared member interest. As always, we look forward to that dialogue," McKnight said.
A few Tyrone board members had expressed interest in hearing from Hurd and McKnight, said Rose Black, executive director of the Tyrone group.
"We are a small group, and when we host events, our attendance is low. We are just open for discussion at this point," Black said.
Black also said any decision would not be made without input from Tyrone members and nothing will be done if the majority aren't in favor of the move.
Jeff Long, owner of Jeff S. Long Construction, who is a member of both the Blair County and Tyrone chambers, was one of those who brought up the idea.
"I think it is a great idea," Long said, noting that Tyrone has been having trouble with attendance at events.
"I know what they do at the Blair County Chamber; maybe it is time we look at it, just to have a discussion on it," he said.
Tyrone members already attend Blair County events, Long said. "Maybe it is time to make a change."
The Mirror sent out emails to 15 Tyrone members seeking their input. Only a few responded.
In the long term it's probably a good idea, said President Joe DeStadio of Gardners Candies.
"I will say that the Tyrone chamber does an excellent job considering the size of this town. Rose Black and her support team are very good at getting the business community exposure and involved with events. My only concern would be, if they merge, will the new chamber give appropriate attention to northern Blair County," DeStadio said.
Tyrone Area School District Superintendent Leslie Estep said there is "certainly no harm in hearing from Joe and Steve and considering whether a merger is the right fit either now or sometime in the future."
"I think that it is important for Tyrone chamber members and their board to determine if their goals for the future align with a larger organization and whether a merger will benefit the Tyrone business community," Estep said.
Nathan Verilla, broker/owner of Verilla Real Estate, said the details need to be sorted out before making an educated decision.
"In any business merger, there are always pros and cons to both decisions. The Tyrone chamber needs to make a decision that is best for Tyrone businesses," Verilla said. "We are a small town community that is doing well and with Rose Black at leadership, there is a small town connection with the chamber. We can't lose the small town connection."
Todd Lewis, president of Shoe Fly Shoe Inc., and a member of both chambers, said he is in support of the move at this time.
ABCD and the Blair chamber announced their intention to merge in May and continue talks on the eventual move.
"We are well underway with all basic information gathering and long-term operational planning. This fall we will conduct a survey of both members and nonmembers to determine what programs and events have the most impact and what we can do better moving forward," McKnight said.
That survey will set the stage for a comprehensive member-driven strategic planning process in 2024, he said.
"This is a significant opportunity to add value and bring greater focus to our external place-based marketing message," McKnight said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.