For a good many years, the Tamaqua and Schuylkill County Chambers of Commerce have considered joining forces, but something always held the groups back from making a formal commitment.

As the entities prepare for the new year, both groups decided the timing was finally right, signing an affiliate agreement in early December.

Jonni Gray, member services director for the county chamber, described the agreement as benefiting members of both chambers.

“Tamaqua is one of Schuylkill County’s best-kept secrets. There are many great businesses in the area and it’s time to make them known to everyone in the county. It makes sense for both chambers to work together. This is a perfect way to open the eyes of people in the county to see what Tamaqua has to offer.”

Jennifer Drake, president of the Tamaqua chamber, sees the agreement as “a way to share successful ideas and events with an overall goal of strengthening the business community, here in Tamaqua and throughout Schuylkill County.”

By bringing Tamaqua into the fold, the Schuylkill Chamber now has affiliate agreements with nine chamber type organizations, representing 809 members.

The Tamaqua chamber will remain an independent organization, with its own board of directors and input from its members. Drake says the agreement “will give the Tamaqua chamber administrative help and the chance to share ideas and success stories. We do well on our own, but want to do better for our members. We have a lot of great businesses in the Tamaqua area, as well as a few empty storefronts. We will work together to fill them. Overall, this will take us to a whole new level. We’ll all do better together.”

In addition to the administrative help, the county chamber holds quarterly luncheons and brainstorming sessions for its affiliates, mixers, small business assistance and various committees to assist young entrepreneurs and provide government advocacy.

“There is strength in numbers,” says Gray.

The Tamaqua chamber has a number of successful ideas to share with its new affiliates, including the Citizen and Business Person of the Year annual award, the popular summer concert series, a fishing derby, bimonthly car cruises during the summer months, breakfast and evening mixers and business seminars. The newest promotion for members is a business spotlight radio feature, a member to member service provided by WMGH radio.

In addition to the popular Hometown Heroes banner program, the chamber is also offering the public the opportunity to honor a loved one through the Christmas lights program. The chamber is responsible for the holiday lights, paying for the electricity to keep them shining. Donations in honor or memory of a loved one will be used to keep the lights burning on a particular wreath or wreaths. Details are available on the chamber’s Facebook page or by calling 570-668-1880.

Drake and Gray agree part of both chambers’ goal is to help local small businesses survive and flourish.

“It’s important for any business to make money. We want to help them do that, but more importantly, we want to build a community, a network of people helping people.”