Merger to benefit city

When the Oberlin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Oberlin Main Street program merge at the beginning of next year, we expect very little change, except for the good.

The details of the merger are still being negotiated, but the biggest change the public should see is a new, yet-to-be-determined name. The two organizations currently share office space, answer each other's phones, and otherwise appear to be one entity to visitors.

The changes that might be more apparent to those who watch closely will be greater efficiency. Without duplication of organizational insurance, accounting costs, and other expenses, the programs will have additional money available to carry out their very similar missions.

Under a single organization, the two current directors will each be able to help in areas that were formerly sole province of the other. We're sure that happened in the past, but after the merger, we should see much more cooperation.

We're glad to hear the merger will have no negative impact on the Main Street program's certification. And all of the traditional programs of both organizations will continue, but now with two bright and energetic individuals leading them instead of just one.

We're sure there will be other benefits that come to light as more of the details are decided. And we look forward to those announcements as they come.