Walnutport is among nine municipalities in the Greater Northern Lehigh community to participate in a new local government committee.

Cindy Miller told borough council on Thursday that the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce was starting up the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce Government Committee.

Miller, who serves as vice chairperson of the GNLCC, said the local government committee consists of one representative each from Walnutport, Slatington, Washington Township, Lehigh Township, Heidelberg Township, Weisenberg Township, Lynn Township, Lowhill Township and North Whitehall Township.

Miller, who also serves as chairperson of the Lehigh Township board of supervisors, said “the purpose is to share ideas.”

“We’re looking for any issues you’re facing on the government level,” Miller said. “It’s really to help each other out, share information.”

Miller said the group was looking for the borough to send someone to the meeting, which will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Vigilant Fire Company in Slatington.

Andy Gildner, president of the GNLCC, said the committee is a fresh concept.

“This is a new initiative that we started up with our local chamber,” Gildner said.

Nancy Treskot, past president of the GNLCC, said the group was merely trying to reach out to the communities again.

“There is no borough, no township that can do things on their own,” Treskot said. “In this day and age, cooperation is the most important thing we can offer.”

Treskot told council she believes it would be worth the borough’s time to participate.

“I think it’s now time to reach out and see what the rest of the (GNLCC) has to offer,” she said. “The most important aspect, this is free.”

Mayor Wayne Weidner said he would represent the borough and be a part of the organization.

The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesses and individuals partnered with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.