NW Twin Cities

The Minneapolis Regional Chamber and the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce have merged mid-stream due to the changed economy to form the most comprehensive chamber in Minnesota.

Officials of the two chambers say that the alliance will allow them to “better serve members and the business community in a new economy," according to the Finance and Commerce website.

Due to the COVID-19 economic hardships, the merger will allow the chambers to team up and tackle many of the issues plaguing the region.

Additionally, the merger will allow the chambers to focus on “shared goals of helping businesses prepare for a changing economy and strengthening the region’s workforce,” spokespeople said in a shared press release.

Jonathan Weinhagen, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, has been appointed to be the president and CEO of the merged chamber.

Shannon Full, who was the president of the TwinWest Chamber, will now serve as executive vice president of the joint chamber, the Finance and Commerce website reports.

“The Minneapolis Regional Chamber and TwinWest Chamber deliver value in different ways, and combining our strengths and building on them is a win for the business community,” Weinhagen told Finance and Commerce. “I have long admired Shannon’s leadership of the TwinWest Chamber and look forward to what we can accomplish together with a strong, shared voice.”