A group of business people who formed the North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, which is expected to officially launch in January, believe so.

“Scottsdale is growing and we believe there is a need,” said Lisa Kaiser, a networking consultant. “There are a lot of people in central and south Scottsdale who do not go north, and vice versa.”

More than 100 people attended a Nov. 9 event announcing the new chamber. Ms. Kaiser said chamber officials hope to conduct the official January launch before the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction to avoid competing against auction-related events.

“We expected about 50 people, but this thing has just caught fire,” Ms. Kaiser said. Supporter Bob Morrison said the new chamber will address needs that are not being addressed by the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce and other for-profit chambers, including business development, communication, networking and location.

“The latter is a big one because it is a long drive to participate in events downtown,” Mr. Morrison said. “We are all busy people and we have to economize our time.”

The North Scottsdale Chamber will focus on business north of Shea Boulevard with a special emphasis on businesses north of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, according to Don Rice, an individual health benefit broker. However, he emphasized the new chamber has no intention of competing with the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce.

“We want an idea exchange to see how we can work together,” Mr. Rice said.

Discussion about forming a North Scottsdale chamber began in the early summer, according to Ms. Kaiser. While the North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce will offer many of the same benefits to businesses, supporters believe it will go a step further.

“This chamber will not be just a networking and leads group,” Mr. Rice said. “This chamber will be about educating the community on a wide variety of issues.”

Many of those supporting the new chamber work in North Scottsdale, and all live there, according to Mr. Rice.

“We believe there is a presense there and many of us did not want to go to downtown for chamber events,” Mr. Rice explained.

The North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce has no physical location, but Mr. Rice said the group hoped to have an office after the first year of operation. The chamber has its articles of incorporation and tax identification as a 501 (c) 6 organization in place, Mr. Rice said. The chamber also launched a Web site and is distributing an e-newsletter.

“But in reality, we are still in the infant stages,” Mr. Rice added.

The next step for the chamber is to begin putting a board of directors and committee chairpeople in place, Mr. Rice said.

North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce dues will be $200 per year for individual or single business membership to start.

“When we get our bylaws and fee schedule developed, we will be in sync with other chambers,” Mr. Rice said. North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce officials discussed including family fun night events to remind people there is more to life than business.

“We do not want people to forget about the home life,” Ms. Kaiser said.

The North Scottsdale Chamber has widespread support, including one business owner from East Mesa, according to Mr. Morrison.

“He does most of his business in North Scottsdale and was thrilled to hear this was starting up,” Mr. Morrison said. Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Rick Kidder did not return phone calls for comment before press deadline.

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