Agency pitches merger between trade boosters. (North Texas District Export Council; International Trade Resource Center; International Business Center)

A quasi-federal agency has pitched a plan for two active trade-boosting organizations to join forces in a merger.

The proposal from the North Texas District Export Council -- part of a national network of economic development boosters formed by former President Richard Nixon -- recommends that the International Trade Resource Center merge with the International Business Center, a similar organization funded by the Small Business Administration.

The ITRC, operated by the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, is in the midst of a major overhaul, prompted by concerns the organization was serving primarily big businesses. In an effort to address the concerns, the chamber organized …