Bay Area Advocacy Groups Merge

Bay Area Advocacy Groups Merge
By RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 12/04/2007 08:29:06 AM PST

Two organizations are merging to create what may be the strongest advocacy and research group in Bay Area history.

The Bay Area Council and the Bay Area Economic Forum recently acted to combine, according to a council press release. Both groups voted to join forces last month, said Council spokesman George Broder.

A regional voice for business since 1945, the council has suggested solutions to many of the region's thorniest challenges in areas of transportation, housing, water, education, infrastructure, environment and global competitiveness, Broder said. The merger will strengthen both groups, he added.

"This will enhance both organizations' capacity to assess and analyze livability and other issues, and help us be even stronger advocates for change," he said.

The newly created Bay Area Council Economic Institute, the forum's successor, will be a chartered program of the council, according to the press release. It will operate as a public-private education and policy research body, the statement notes.

The new institute will be responsible for economic policy research and analysis under the auspices of a public-private board of trustees appointed by the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Bay Area Council.

The board will include elected officials, business people and Bay Area higher education, labor and community leaders, according to the statement.

• E-mail Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at RachelZ@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6824.