Hamilton — The voice of business became stronger and more unified, as the Harris County Chamber of Commerce announced that the Pine Mountain Merchants Association merged into the chamber effective March 1, 2018, and will operate as an affiliate organization known as the Pine Mountain Business Association.

“This a great opportunity to enhance our services to the businesses in Pine Mountain,” said Colin Martin, president and CEO of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce. “We’ll also provide a broader administrative and financial platform for the association to grow its events and thereby help the businesses in Pine Mountain prosper.”

Tara Hall, owner of UniquExpressions in Pine Mountain, was elected chair of the Pine Mountain Merchants Association last fall and will continue as chair of the Pine Mountain Business Association, as well as join the board of directors of the chamber.

“We are excited about this opportunity because we will have professional management for the association and we will be able to include more businesses than just merchants, giving us all a stronger voice in Pine Mountain,” Hall said.

The Pine Mountain Merchants Association has run several events in Pine Mountain, including Taste of Pine Mountain, Pine Mountain Days and Old Chipley Town Fair, to bring shoppers to the merchants in downtown.

“These events will all continue,” Martin said. “We will work to grow these events to further promote the businesses in Pine Mountain. We want our efforts to build on the foundation already in place from years of success.”

Governed by a board of community and business leaders, the Harris County Chamber of Commerce serves over 300 members, with a special focus on economic and community development. The chamber supports the largest industry in Harris County, travel and tourism, as the destination marketing organization for areas outside of the city of Pine Mountain.

The chamber offices are located in the county seat of Hamilton.