Lakeview and Roscoe Village Chambers to Merge in 2021
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce (LCC) and the Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce (RVCC) announced today they will merge into one organization, called the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce (LRVCC). The merger should be completed by December 31, 2020. No changes to the existing staffs are expected. The executive director of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce will be current Lakeview Chamber of Commerce executive director Dillon Goodson.
The new LRVCC will provide more community programming and business services in both Lakeview and Roscoe Village, advocate for the communities and more than 1,500 businesses, increase the organization’s capacity to serve businesses with a larger combined staff and a specialized board of directors, and foster greater connectivity between the communities. The existing chambers have shared a border along Ravenswood Avenue and have collaborated on programs in the past.
“We want to continue to celebrate the unique attributes that make Lakeview and Roscoe Village two of Chicago’s most sought-after neighborhoods, building on similarities while continuing to promote the distinctiveness of each community,” noted Doug Havrilla, Lakeview Chamber of Commerce Board President. “Combining our resources will help us provide more support to our local businesses at a time when they need us the most and position our communities for long-term success.”
“We are most excited for our members as the new organization will benefit them greatly. Members will gain access to a larger knowledge-base of more than 400 fellow member businesses and additional chamber staff with specialized skills and expertise,” said Chad Jensen, Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce Board President.
In the coming weeks, the LRVCC will engage businesses and residents in a series of conversations about the work of the chamber. Community members can also share their thoughts on which initiatives they would like to see the chamber prioritize via a short survey at www.lakeviewroscoevillage.com.
“We look forward to a strong relationship with the new Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce,” said Larry Peterson, president of Roscoe Village Neighbors, the neighborhood association that serves Roscoe Village and collaborates with the chamber on a number of community programs. “We’re excited about the opportunities this merger will present for future partnerships as we work together to ensure a strong and prosperous future for Roscoe Village.”
The LRVCC will build on popular events like the Low-Line Famers Market and PorchFest Lakeview, as well as new small business workshops and consultations. Membership fees will remain unchanged through 2021.
The LRVCC will serve the area bounded by the Chicago River on the west and Racine Ave. on the east. West of Ravenswood Ave., LRVCC’s service area will extend from Diversey Pkwy. on the south to Addison St. on the north. East of Ravenswood Ave., LRVCC’s service area will extend from Diversey Pkwy. on the south to Irving Park Rd. on the north. (Map available here.)
ABOUT THE LAKEVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce is a community of entrepreneurs working together and supporting each other to create a stronger neighborhood and business environment, through advocacy, promotion, networking and education. Originally founded in 1951 as the Lincoln Belmont Ashland Business Association, our organization is a leader in supporting businesses with valuable resources, programming and services that advance our neighborhood's business success, guided by our Lakeview Area Master Plan. We leverage private funding, government resources and programs, and support from more than 250 members to help our local business community thrive.
ABOUT THE ROSCOE VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization committed to representing Roscoe Village businesses and to advancing the growth and prosperity of the Roscoe Village neighborhood. The organization is dedicated to providing area businesses with all the necessary tools for economic growth and development and to provide a forum for networking and collaboration. The Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce works hand-in-hand with neighborhood organizations, local schools and the City of Chicago to reach a common goal of enhancing the business and cultural environment of the Roscoe Village community.