The Renton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously this week to endorse and support a strategic alliance between Valley Medical Center and UW Medicine.

Under a strategic alliance, UW Medicine, which operates Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington Medical Center, would work with Valley to expand  health-care programs in Renton and likely add to its physician-training programs at Valley.

“There is literally no downside to this proposed alliance and considerable upside to both the well-being and health of our residents and the economy of Renton,” said Bill Taylor, chamber president.

“Valley is our second-largest employer with 2,600 folks who earn a living here and help support local business and the economic development potential of this alliance can have far-reaching impacts.”

The Renton chamber, he said, “applauds the foresight and vision of the Valley board and administration.”

Valley Medical’s corporate counsel will brief the Valley’s Board of Commissioners on the status of the alliance negotiations at its meeting at 4 p.m. Monday (March 21).