Chamber announces nominees for business, citizen, non-profit of the year

The Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting on April 8 at the County Museum and all members were invited to participate.

Chamber President Pastor Sam Needham reported that they currently have 206 members and their goal is to have 90% member retention. In the past year, they had a 10% loss / 10% gain of membership and basically broke even. 

Needham explained to members that they want to educate the community on the benefits of being a chamber member. Some of the ways they have been communicating are through their newsletter and through their meeting Coffee Talk.

Chamber Director Meri Ann Rush said on May 25 they will have their small business development center to let the community know what they provide.

They recently held a meeting where they discussed their chamber insurance plan and what the qualifications are. The chamber also is starting to write grants for various organizations. 

The chamber is currently looking for new revenue.

They operated the southside fireworks stand last year and are no longer doing it.

This summer they plan to host the demolition derby as they have done in previous years, with the exception of 2020.

October 16, they will host their Chamber Banquet.

During the meeting, the Board of Directors along with Past Presidents voted for 2020 Business, Non-Profit Organization and Citizen of the Year.

2020 Business of the Year nominees: Kirby Creek Mercantile, Las Fuentes, One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company, One Stop Repair & Service Center, Ramshead Financial Services, Rent Adventure, Ryan Brothers Trucking, Star Plunge, Thermopolis Hardware & Mercantile and The Shoppe Floral & Gift.

2020 Non-Profit of the Year nominees:  Federated Community Church, Friends of Hot Springs State Park & Legend Rock, Gift of the Waters, H.O.P.E. Agency, Hot Springs State Park, HSC Recreation District, Main Street Thermopolis, Town of Thermopolis, Wyoming Pioneer Home and Wyoming Dinosaur Center.

2020 Citizen of the Year nominees:  Hannah Brooks, Nancy Brown, Judy Carswell, Johnny Dorman, Healthcare & Frontline Workers, Dood Jaussaud, Brian Johnson, Tricia McPhie, Dr. Vernon Miller, Dave Schlager and Greg Willson.

In old business, they formed a nomination committee and have four board seats up this year. They will print a public notice for the positions. Ballots will be in the mail on May 20. At the June chamber meeting, they will announce the results.

Hot Springs Travel and Tourism Director Jackie Dorothy gave an update on their work. They have a new member, Audra Dominguez. There will be two board seats opening because Matt Hughes is stepping down and Chairman Carl Leyba’s term is up. They have been producing tourism videos with Schenck Photography and will put in video kiosks in motels and other businesses to show the videos and help market the county to customers. 

Reporting from Main Street Thermopolis, Howie Samelson said they are working on a grant for decorative lighting additions and preparing for the Brewfest. Also, four members will attend the Main Street National meeting at a virtual event.

In the director’s report, Rush said they are changing their office hours to be open seven days a week. They are open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 10 a.m. until 3 pm. Saturday and Sunday. Also, they are looking for an office worker as a new hire.

Rush will also attend the Wyoming State Chamber Conference in Rock Springs from April 28-30.

The Chamber Business After Hours will be May 28 at the Wind River Canyon White Water & Fly Fishing.

The next chamber meeting will be on May 13.