Ocean County Chambers of Commerce Form Commerce Coalition with the Board of Chosen Freeholders

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County’s regional chambers of commerce are initiating a joint effort with the Board of Chosen Freeholders to promote business growth in the state’s sixth largest county. On the private sector side, the Brick Township, Greater Toms River, Lakewood and Southern Ocean chambers of commerce have spent decades fully dedicated to the economic development of Ocean County. Together, the chambers and the freeholders understand and recognize the diverse resources within the county that can lead to smart business growth, which in turn will create new jobs and additional business opportunities.

The partnership will also encourage businesses to work closely with their regional chamber staffs.

“Our chambers of commerce are staffed by professionals who can offer their expertise to promote local businesses,” said Jeremy Grunin, who chairs the new Ocean County Commerce Coalition. “This is an excellent opportunity to bring together the best of the private sector and the public sector to support not only tourism, but the entire business community,” said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to the Ocean County Department of Business Development and Tourism. First on the Committee’s agenda is an economic impact ‘think tank’ set for the early spring.

Members of the coalition’s Executive Committee include the current 8 voting members from each of the founding chambers: Michele Eventoff, Executive Director of Brick Township Chamber and President Jeffrey Bevacqua; Noelle Lotano, CEO of Greater Toms River Chamber and Chairman Jeremy Grunin; Robert Gazic, Executive Director of Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and President Julie M Vanore; Lori Pepenella, DMO & Communications Director of Southern Ocean County Chamber with President Andrea Driscoll. Pepenella will serve as vice-chair.

For updates, follow on social media https://www.facebook.com/OceanCountyCommerceCoalition/?re…
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Toms River

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