The boards of directors of the Greater Magnolia and Magnolia Parkway chambers of commerce voted on Wednesday to continue pursuing a merger of the chambers.[/caption]

The Greater Magnolia and Magnolia Parkway chambers of commerce will proceed with exploring a merger of the chambers after both boards of directors unanimously voted to do so Wednesday.

“Speaking for the board of the Magnolia Parkway Chamber [of Commerce], I am excited about the opportunities that might be in store for the members of both chambers,” said Candace Emmerich, MPCC chairwoman.

According to a joint statement released Thursday, the boards of directors will appoint a new committee at their next joint meeting to outline what a unified chamber would look like. The committee will define the work and structure of a unified chamber, such as its mission, governance, location, staffing and activities. That picture of a unified chamber will then be presented to the boards and membership.

The boards unanimously agreed to form an eight-member Magnolia Exploratory Committee representing both chambers in early May to research whether a merger would benefit the Magnolia business community. Forming the exploratory committee was the first step to considering the merger. The MEC presented its findings to the boards of directors Aug. 1, recommending that the chambers proceed with merging the two Magnolia chambers.

“Input from stakeholders was received through e-mail, in person, attendance at one of the listening sessions conducted or by completion of the online survey that was provided to all members,” the MEC said in a July 20 memo to the boards of directors.

MEC members compiled their research over a 120-day period.

“The input from members has shown that the combined efforts would prove to be a benefit to the community and member businesses with the significant changes already taking place in the Greater Magnolia community,” the MEC said.

However, the MEC recommended that a transition committee be formed to provide members with a picture of a unified chamber. The membership will ultimately decide whether to approve the merger.

“We feel that if the best interests of both memberships can be met and this results in something that has the support of members, the city and the community as a whole, it can do nothing but benefit everyone involved,” said GMCC chairwoman Melissa Sunseri.