Finally: The Chamber of Commerce and MDA to merge (Syracuse: city hall, moving to)

[urbanplanner]

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/two_syracuse-area_business_gro.html

http://cnybj.com/Channels/ArticleDet...m/default.aspx

Finally, intelligent minds prevail and CNY can now speak with one economic development voice. It seems as though the stars are in alignment.

I like the new President of the MDA Robert Sullivan (gee, the guy is tall, wow!), he seems to be a creative guy. I also have to commend CofC President Darleen Kerr for recoginizing the need to merge prior to her retirement. It is a great opportunity. I do not believe that Mr. Sullivan will be the pawn that Irwin Davis was (or is).

"The chamber’s board is scheduled to vote on the proposal Jan. 25, and the MDA’s board is scheduled to vote Feb. 4. If approved, the proposal would be put to a vote by the chamber’s 2,000 members and the MDA’s 197 members in mid-February. If they give it the green light, the merger could take place by the end of May, Simpson said."

The article reported that the MDA represented large manufacturers and the CofC represented small businesses. I could not help but think that this this merger writting on the wall for the MDA since large manufacturers represent a smaller share of the economy.

In any event, it will be good to know that the MDA will no longer exist at the beck and call of City Hall, good ridence! The former MDA President Irwin Davis seemed more of a pawn than a leader. His accomplishments were few if any.

[urbanplanner]

Chamber of Commerce and the MDA a done deal by respective Boards. I am sure the membership will follow suit...

MDA, chamber merger plan heads to members

I like this guy, he gets it! Robert Simpson, MDA president and CEO, said in a news release. "Through a unified agenda, this new organization will position us to successfully transform the Central-Upstate economy by effectively promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and business development at the regional level, building new, region-wide collaborations and alliances."

I feel a synergy developing in Syracuse/OnondagaCounty/CNY toward a regional approach. I listened to Mayor Miners and I was impressed. I could not help but feel the inevitable need to coordinate, communicate and collaborate in her State of the City. I really like the Bureau of Planning and Sustainabilty she has proposed and moving City and County Economic Development efforts under on roof. I sense that Syracuse and Onnodaga County are incrementally (key word) moving toward a metropolitan system of government.