Journal-News.com

The city of Monroe has decided to join the West Chester Chamber Alliance after recently ending its membership with the Chamber of Commerce that serves Middletown, Monroe and Trenton.

Monroe City Council Member Bob Kelley said he received a phone call from one of the West Chester chamber's executive committee members Wednesday, Dec. 17, who told him that during a Chamber meeting the city had been approved to apply for membership with the group. The city pursued the membership and was not solicited by the West Chester Chamber Alliance to join.

Kelley said once the city officially joins the chamber, details of the membership will be worked out.

"I'm very thrilled about the prospects of being a part of that chamber and I think that we can offer them a lot and they can offer us a lot, and I hope it's a membership we can have for a long time," said Kelley, who recommended that the city not renew its membership with the Chamber of Commerce.

He recommended the city not renew its membership because he said he did not believe the city's needs are being met.

Also, Kelley said Monroe is a growing city that doesn't need to be affiliated with Middletown, which he pointed out was just named among the top dying cities in America.

Monroe had been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for more than 10 years, said City Manager William Brock.