New chamber of commerce launching for Jericho businesses, exec says

A new chamber of commerce will launch next year to give small businesses and large corporations in Jericho a more localized promoter of economic development.

The newly formed chamber, founded by Todd S. Shapiro, president and chief executive of Todd Shapiro Associates Public Relations, will hold its first general meeting next month. The hamlet does not currently have its own chamber.

“The number one reason people join chambers of commerce is to get business and to do business,” said Shapiro, who realized the hamlet lacked a local chamber after relocating his office from Garden City to Jericho.

Shapiro, who said he’s already registered the group with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and has spoken with other local business groups about it, added that the new organization will give smaller businesses an opportunity to learn from and network with larger, more established companies.

“You don’t have to go to Manhattan to land a $20 million company,” he said. “I’m very excited about this.”

Shapiro said the group will not charge participating businesses chamber dues for its first year in operation.

The Jericho Chamber of Commerce will hold its first meeting at 8 a.m. on Jan. 8 at the Milleridge Inn, located at 585 N. Broadway. For more information call 516-312-6573.