Board members of the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce pose with staff of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut after the signing ceremony combining the two organziations is complete.
At a ceremony held last Wednesday, July 2, at Cherrystones restaurant in Old Lyme,the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and the Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Chamber of Commerce announced that the two organizations are combining.
In accordance with the agreement, the LOL Chamber will become the LOL Division of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, combining the organizations’ membership, events and efforts to support and improve the region’s business community.
Tony Sheridan (pictured above), President of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, told the gathering of board members of both Chambers, staff members of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber, and members of the press, “The synergy that will be derived from merging the two organizations will help provide greater administrative and operational efficiencies." He added that it would also improve the business climate of the region, strengthen the business community and provide greater support for the role the Chamber plays in eastern Connecticut and in Hartford.
Chairman of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber Michelle Jacobik (above) built on Sheridan’s enthusiasm, saying, “We share excitement and pride,” at the onset of the merger, and then went on to highlight some of the advantages she saw in the union. Noting there are many aspects to, “the strength of the relationship”, which include, “advocacy and a strong voice at the Capitol,” and collaboration regarding resources and programs, she said also it offered, “Many opportunities for members to showcase their businesses.”
Jacobik concluded by pledging to continue, “Working towards reducing the cost of doing business in Connecticut.”
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Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Delinks (above) also spoke positively of the impending merger, noting, “Our political affiliation” tends to be, “down the Connecticut valley.” He said, “We don’t really do that much to the east. This is broadening our horizons. It is a wonderful change … and very exciting for us.”
The LOL Chamber of Commerce was founded in the early 1930s by representatives of business and active volunteers within the two towns with the mission of promoting the civic, economic, and social interests of the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme.
Under Delinks’ presidency, membership of the organization has grown from 146 to 192 members, who mostly reflect smaller entrepreneurial and professional businesses, banks and elected officials. The Chamber meets monthly at Cherrystones and sponsors numerous civic and business projects, including the annual tree lighting ceremony at the Old Lyme Marketplace, the spring cleanup of a section of roadway on Shore Road, and theTaste of the Lymes wine-tasting and delicacy-sampling held each year in May.
The LOL Chamber also funds a number of scholarships for students resident in Lyme and Old Lyme. These include the N. Rutherford Sheffield Memorial Junior–Year Scholarship Award for Entrepreneurial Promise and Achievement, the LOL Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Award for Promise and Achievement in the Visual Arts, the Lyme Academy Pre-College Summer Scholarships, and the Lyme Art Association Scholarship.
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is a much larger organization with 1,366 members covering 110 towns, cities and boroughs throughout eastern Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It currently has eight divisions, which assist the Chamber by focusing on issues specific to a town/city and promoting partnerships to address those issues. These are based in East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Ledyard, Montville, New London, Norwich, and Waterford.
The Eastern Connecticut Chamber is a collaborative of business and community leaders dedicated to securing and enhancing the economic vitality of eastern Connecticut. In its efforts to build and promote a strong and sustainable regional economy, the chamber works to increase awareness of the region at the local, state and national levels.
Acting as “the voice of business” for the region in Connecticut government, the Chamber also advocates for membership diversity and promotes eastern Connecticut as a great place to live, work and play.
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Both Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold (above) and State Representative Marilyn Giuliano were on hand to offer congratulations and good wishes to the combined organization and pledged to support the new alliance.
The key person in the long negotiations between the two chambers was LOL Chamber Treasurer Steve Ross. Delinks described him as “the detail guy,” adding that when Ross is involved, “There’s nothing that gets left undone.
From left to right, Charlie DeLinks, Steve Ross, and Michelle Jacobik share a smile at the end of the ceremony.
Ross himself explained his extended efforts with the words, “We saw this as an opportunity for the Lyme-Old Lyme chamber members to expand the resources that are available for their businesses. Currently, we are all volunteers. That limits the benefits we can offer businesses for support and promotion.”
Delinks added, “After months of negotiations, I hope that this will be the beginning of a new growth period for the Lyme-Old Lyme Chamber. My goal in this process has been to expand the business aspects of the Chamber - the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut will help us to do that.” |
