A Year Later - John Teeples, Grandville Jenison Chamber Vice President

Posted: Thu, July 8, 2010

2009-2010 has been a remarkable year for the Grandville-Jenison Chamber of Commerce (the "Chamber"). When the memberships of the former Jenison Chamber of Commerce and the former Grandville Chamber of Commerce made the decision in early 2009 to merge (effective July 1, 2009), there were many expressed concerns, risks and uncertainties, including: (1) will the merger be in the best interests of our respective business communities?; (2) are there sufficient synergies, common interests and goals between the communities for efficient administration?; (3) can the chambers be merged while safeguarding the unique and proprietary interests of the respective communities?; (4) will the business communities, local governments and residential communities at large support the merger? and (5) can a merged chamber emerge and remain financially sound?

These are just a few of the numerous questions and concerns expressed in evaluating the merits of the merger. As should be obvious from the other information presented about the Chamber however, the answer to each of the noted questions is, overwhelmingly, "Yes." By all accounts, regardless of the measuring stick, the merger has been an outstanding success. The Chamber has indeed become synonymous with "success" and the talk and envy of many business organizations in West Michigan.

As a long-term resident of the community, former school board member, business attorney, former board member of the Jenison Chamber of Commerce and now Vice President of the Chamber, it is my opinion that maybe the most significant result of the merger is how the local communities have united under one banner for the greater good of Jenison and Grandville businesses and for our residents at large.

Given the economic struggles which have devastated our state and local communities over the last decade, it is sometimes difficult to see silver linings in our work efforts. Too often we focus on the negative as we see our businesses fail, families suffer and communities (and income and real estate tax basis) erode. While Jenison and Grandville share similar struggles, the Chamber has become a beacon of hope and pride for all who live, shop and do business here.

The Chamber has led with direction and purpose, and has inspired a collective and shared focus of community-supported business development where everyone benefits.
Yes, the Chamber has had many accomplishments over the last year. However most importantly to me, the Chamber is a shining example of what can happen when business and governmental leaders set aside their parochial interests and reach across local governmental and competing public school district lines to articulate a vision of cooperation and common purpose. The Grandville-Jenison Chamber of Commerce is an authentic example, especially in these trying economic times, of what can happen when individuals of diverse interests and means are able to find common purpose and are willing to work extra hard for the greater good of their communities.

John Teeples, Chamber Vice President
Lentz, Teeples PLC