North County chambers merge to better aid local businesses. ‘We are inextricably connected’
.jpg "Elizabeth Covert, chair of the Templeton Chamber of Commerce and solar consultant at A.M. Sun Solar, shakes hands with Isiah Gomer of Paso Robles Waste and Recycle, the outgoing chair of Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce. The two North County chambers unanimously agreed to merge in January 2022.")
Two northern San Luis Obispo County chambers of commerce that together represent nearly 1,000 local businesses have merged.
As of Jan. 1, the Templeton Chamber of Commerce and Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center are a single entity, according to a news release.
The name of the new, unified chamber has not been announced.
The merger was supported unanimously by every member of both boards of directors, the release said.
The combined chamber is developing a working model that focuses on local business vitalization, according to the release.
By joining the resources of each chamber, the new chamber will have more resources to grow the North County business community, attracting a variety of businesses to the area — from start-up companies to larger corporations, Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce President Gina Fitzpatrick said in the release.
“Merging of these business organizations will enhance our ability to be a more powerful, effective proponent and advocate for small, medium and large-sized businesses along California’s beautiful Central Coast,” Fitzpatrick said.
The united chamber will also aim to develop solutions to systemic challenges in North County communities, such as developing a skilled workforce, finding solutions for the unhoused population and other initiatives, she said.
The new North County chamber will have more tools for marketing and workforce development and will be a stronger voice for advocacy, according to the release.
It will also have a bigger presence in the North County region, focusing on member services, networking for small businesses, mentorship and building a stronger policy platform, according to the release.
“Paso Robles and Templeton have distinct history and culture that we will be working hard to preserve and bolster,” Templeton Chamber of Commerce Chair Elizabeth Covert said in the release. “We are inextricably connected — that will not change and only be furthered by this effort. Combining these two organizations and memberships ensures northern San Luis Obispo County’s business community will be ideally positioned as we work above and beyond economic recovery from the pandemic.”
The structure of the combined chamber is still being determined.
Currently, the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is headquartered at 1225 Park St. in Paso Robles. The Templeton Chamber of Commerce is at 321 South Main St. in Templeton.
