The West Fargo Area and Fargo-Moorhead chambers of commerce are finalizing a letter of intent to merge.
The two organizations have been meeting since April to discuss joining forces and becoming a regional chamber.
"There's been a lot of discussions and it appears there are some collaborative opportunities that could create a win-win situation," said Karen Lauer, chairwoman of the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber board.
Lauer sent a letter Tuesday to the F-M Chamber members updating them on the merger discussions.
In the message, Lauer said the groups intend to sponsor a town hall meeting for members to ask questions. Both organizations will take a vote of their membership to approve the merger.
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If the merger is approved, the joint chamber would have a stronger voice and greater political clout, Lauer said. Members would pay single annual dues.
"We'd have a unified voice for business on behalf of the whole region," said Fargo-Moorhead Chamber President Craig Whitney.
Whitney said a vast majority of the F-M Chamber members are also members of the West Fargo Area Chamber. The Fargo-Moorhead Chamber has about 1,800 members. The West Fargo Chamber has more than 420 members.
At this point, the letter of intent has not been accepted or signed.
The West Fargo Chamber does not have an executive director. Kent Campbell resigned in January after six months on the job.
Kathy Lewin, West Fargo Chamber chairwoman, said the timing is right to consider the merger. But she said her organization has concerns about West Fargo's small businesses, annual events, and staffing and office space in West Fargo.
"Right now we've listened to their proposal and have come to an understanding on that," Lewin said. "We still don't want to lose the identity of West Fargo, and that's a big, big thing."
Todd Zabel, president of West Fargo State Bank and Trust, said Tuesday's announcement about the letter of intent was "welcome news."
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Sherri Richards is a reporter at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, which is owned by Forum Communications Co.
