PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Two chambers of commerce will unite under the same roof when Dade City and Zephyrhills join to become the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce.
What You Need To Know
- Dade City and Zephyrhills chambers of commerce will be merging as one under the new East Pasco Chamber of Commerce
- The move has been in discussion for years and will finally take place on July 1
- Combining chambers is expected to create better representation for smaller businesses in both cities
It’s a move that those involved expect to be beneficial for businesses moving forward.
“It’s definitely changed,” said Shane Barker, owner of Vitis Realty and Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce board member. “Demographics are changing and median age is coming down.”
On the downtown streets of Zephyrhills, Shane Barker reminisces about the city’s past as a new Zephyrhills begins to emerge through a chamber of commerce merger with Dade City.
“It’s really great for a small business, because the chamber advocates for us in the community,” said Barker. “So when we have more membership, the voice is larger.”
He said creating better representation for smaller businesses is one of the benefits of merging. As the owner of his own real estate business, he would know.
“With the economy and the growth of Pasco County, I think it all just hit right,” he said.
And just a short drive down U.S. 301, Dade City Chamber of Commerce CEO Vicki Wiggins said the combined chamber could face a challenge when it comes to identity.
“The whole demographic of Zephyrhills is changing from the seniors and retirees to families with young kids, and so it’s just a changing demographic,” said Wiggins. “So how do you make sure that you’re incorporating all of that into the new chamber?”
But timing can be everything, and merging would mean more resources for the 81 members.
“They finally decided that the time was right,” said Wiggins. “The previous CEO here at the Dade City Chamber retired in June. They started looking around and decided this was the time to take advantage of the bigger footprint if we were a merged chamber.”
Officials say the merger would also lead to a bigger “footprint” in Tallahassee, and the power that comes with it would be pivotal for small businesses in both cities.
“Merging, hopefully, the efficiencies brought will allow us to better serve the population that is growing so fast,” Barker said.
Each chamber will still own their own buildings, and both offices will remain open.
