Keep The Chamber About New Bedford – Barry Richard

(Photo by Barry Richard)

As one might expect, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell is not exactly thrilled that the Greater New Bedford Area Chamber Of Commerce is considering a name change.  As we first reported on Monday the Chamber is looking to rebrand and could change it's name to The SouthCoast Chamber Of Commerce, a move some Chamber officials hope would allow it to attract more members, thus more revenue.  The name change would require a vote of the Chamber's board.

The Mayor feels, and I agree, that by dropping the city's name from the Chamber's title you are helping to further erode the region's identity.  The New Bedford Standard Times "went SouthCoast" years ago in hopes of increasing circulation.  The paper is now, in my opinion, on the verge of extinction.

Talk of a more regional approach by the New Bedford Chamber is being opposed by the Chambers in Fall River, Taunton and The Cape who see it as a possible ploy to raid their membership lists. WBSM has been told that some in the economic development circle on the state level also oppose a name change.  People on the west coast can find New Bedford on the map and learn of it's storied history and able workforce but SouthCoast could be just about anywhere and is nowhere on the map.

In rebranding, The Greater New Bedford Area Chamber Of Commerce needs to become a much stronger advocate for local business on Beacon Hill, fighting for it's members on important issues such as burdensome regulations, health care and energy costs and concern itself less with festivals and tourism.  That is why we have a tourism director.