VIDALIA — The merger of the two parish chambers of commerce will soon be a reality, and Tuesday its leaders were chosen.

Fifteen members were elected Tuesday out of 19 submitted nominations.

The new members include: Lena Bateman, Georganna Berry, Judith Bingham, Jimmy Boyd, Laurence Chauvin, Scott Christian, the Rev. Simeon Green, Cathy Hinson, Tance Hughes, Sam Jones, Ryan Paul, Rena Pitts, Mike Smith, Sarah Smith and Vernon Stevens.

Vidalia Chamber of Commerce Director Jamie Burley said the members of the board were spread pretty evenly between Ferriday and Vidalia residents.

“The nominations covered a pretty good area,” she said.

Burley said she had hoped for more candidates from the parish’s smaller towns.

“We had one person run from Monterey,” she said. “And we had no one run from Clayton or Wildsville.”

Burley said she is inviting the new members of the joint chamber to the Vidalia Chamber meeting in December.

“We do not have a date set up yet for the first meeting,” she said. “But we are excited to have the members in place and ready to go.”

Burley said there will be Concordia Parish Chamber of Commerce dinner in January to help kick things off.

“Our theme is going to be, ‘Out with the old, and in with the new,’” she said. “It should be a great time. We are looking to totally get rid of the division in the parish.”

Newly elected board member Bingham said she is excited to be a part of uniting the parish.

“I think it is a very smart move economically,” she said. “I just think that together, we can sell our area with the potential we have.”

Bingham also said the move toward the joint chamber is going to help unite the parish.

“We have been pushing for cooperation from everyone to make our area a must-visit area,” she said. “Coming together like this is a great way to promote that.”

Green said this is a great time for Concordia Parish.

“It is a time now where we can put our minds together and work together to help this area develop,” he said. “I am happy to be a part of this community and the good things that are going to come to the area.”

Green said he is thrilled to be working with the other board members on the new chamber.

“I look forward to working with everyone,” he said. “It is an exciting time to help Concordia Parish move on toward bigger and better things.”