Area Chambers Unite to Form ‘One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce’

Businesses along the South Coast, from Wareham to eastern Rhode Island, are aligning under a single chamber of commerce.

One SouthCoast Chamber is the name of the integrated SouthCoast Chamber and Bristol County Chamber, officials announced Tuesday night.

The merged chamber will officially launch in January and officials say that with 1,600 members it will be the second largest chamber, by that measurement, in all of Massachusetts. The areas are anchored by New Bedford and Fall River.

Commercial fishing serves as an economic base, the area is positioning itself as a major player in the offshore wind energy market, and the region is making progress toward a long-sought commuter rail connection with the Greater Boston area.

"We are one region, with a common set of goals and challenges that require we speak with one voice. This wonderful outcome signifies that we are a region on the rise," SouthCoast Chamber President and CEO Rick Kidder said in a statement.

Bristol County Chamber CEO Mike O'Sullivan said there's a particular focus in the region on "small business, which is the backbone of our membership, education, government affairs and health care."

Chamber officials forecast increased services and benefits for members, and said that after working on branding with Moore & Isherwood Communications and on a logo with Sergio Dabdoub of BadMonkeyPics, additional marketing efforts will materialize in the coming months.