Photo: Rose Vowles
2022
FEBRUARY
NEWSLETTER
Thank you, CATALYST Level Members!
POINTS TO PONDER
From the Executive Director
T
he travel and hospitality industry is the second largest industry in the Cowboy State. In 2020, international and domestic visitors spent just shy of $116 million here in Fremont County. This influx of tourist dollars generated $4.8 million in earnings, supported more than 1,400 jobs, and generated $6 million in state and local taxes. Given the obvious impacts of COVID during 2020, these numbers are astounding: while the overall U.S. travel industry contracted 36%, Wyoming’s travel economy declined by only 23%. Lander benefits tremendously from these annual visits, and it remains imperative that we all continue to support and promote Lander’s unique tourism assets. The Chamber is directly involved in this effort in several ways. First, and most visibly, we operate the Lander Visitor Center, the largest and most impressive in all of Fremont County. Located on the corner of 1st & Main along one of the most popular routes to and from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks -- and now the National Museum of Military Vehicles -- our staff is trained to encourage visitors to avoid the crowds by staying a while in Lander. We also promote Lander as a destination for business and leisure travel by distributing every year thousands of copies of our Destination Lander Travel & Relocation Guide.
Perhaps the most substantial way the Chamber promotes and supports local tourism is through our cooperation with the Wind River Visitors Council (WRVC), Fremont County’s destination marketing organization. Comprised of representatives from Lander, Riverton, Dubois, Hudson, Shoshoni, and the County, the individual members of the WRVC administer the proceeds of the state and county lodging taxes for the express purpose of bolstering their local tourism assets. On behalf of the City of Lander, the Chamber allocates tens of thousands of dollars in Tourism Asset Development (TAD) Grants annually to non-profit and civic organizations for the purpose of developing assets, activities, programs, and events that will attract tourist dollars to Lander.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Eric Andrews President Fagnant, Lewis & Brinda P.C.
Ann Espinosa Vice President Home Source Realty, Inter Mountain Builders
Chris VonHoltum Treasurer Central Bank & Trust
Jon Tonkowich, Past President Wyoming Catholic College
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Fehringer Fremont Engineering
James Whiting Whiting Law PC
Alyssa Lozier Edward Jones
Tom Davis Fremont Therapy Group
Jennifer Hamilton SageWest Healthcare
In 2021, the Chamber helped fund such popular events as Lander Presents (formerly Lander LIVE), the Pioneer Days Rodeo and Parade, Native American powwows, One Shot Antelope Hunt, Jurassic Classic, RiverFest, Lander Valley Farmers’ Market, Challenge for Charities, Climbers’ Fest, Wyoming Outdoor Weekend & Expo, Rough & Tumble Trail Races, Fremont Toyota Shootout, and more! Can we help support your tourismfocused project? Apply for a TAD Grant by Friday, February 18!
Owen Sweeney Executive Director Lander Chamber of Commerce
PROFESSIONAL STAFF Owen Sweeney Executive Director
Carol King Associate Director
Carlos Solis Membership Development Intern
February 17, 320 Main St., Lander
March 17 Hayden Outdoors
2022 Schedule April 21 Ron’s Flooring
May 19 Lander Golf Course
January’s Business After Hours was hosted by State Farm Insurance
Business After Hours is an excellent opportunity to showcase your business, make new connections with fellow businesses, and develop new relationships with potential customers. Everyone is invited to attend!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Business After Hours!
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome, New Members! Academy of the Winds is a private Montessori school offering preschool through fourth grade education. Our program focuses on providing students with a robust hands-on, experiential curriculum that is individualized to each individual. Our curriculum is abundant in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography and Cultural Studies. We also have an extensive outdoor program that teaches our students outdoor skills such as navigation, orienteering, risk-assessment, and ecological awareness. Our new building, which was completed in the Fall of 2020, is situated on 7.5 acres of pristine land in the heart of Lander. Our property offers the students a unique opportunity where they are free to explore, imagine and experience the outdoors every day. Academy of the Winds is a school where children are challenged to become the best version of themselves, where they are developing into the leaders and visionaries of tomorrow in an ever-changing world. We are continuing to grow at an exponential rate and will provide educational services through the eighth grade within the next 5 years.
Western Vista Federal Credit Union (WV) is a full service, federally chartered credit union headquartered in Cheyenne, WY. WV has two full-service branches in Cheyenne along with its headquarters and one full-service branch in Casper. WV was launched in 1940 and welcomed its first members at that time. It was originally chartered as the Wyoming Telephone Workers, or Wytel FCU. Over these last 80+ years, WV has grown to 12,500 members and currently has over $200 million in assets. Lander is now home to WV’s first mortgage loan production office (LPO). As some of you may or may not know, WV has had a presence in Fremont County for several years, working with local car dealerships to provide financing options for their customers. Brian Green is the loan officer and contact representative for our new LPO. Brian is familiar with the Fremont County and surrounding area real estate markets, having been raised in Lander and returning 8 years ago to his hometown. Brian has been employed in the banking/financial services industry in Wyoming for 30+ years and looks forward to providing the citizens of Fremont County with access to mortgage banking services from a true, trusted and tenured Wyoming financial institution. WV offers a full array of mortgage products to its members including Conventional Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, FHA, VA, Rural Development (RD), WCDA as well as Commercial products. WV also offers in-house 1 st and 2 nd mortgages and home equity line of credit mortgage loans. WV also has in-house underwriters for its Conventional loans, which greatly reduces the approval times, and subsequent closing time frames. The Lander LPO will be able to assist and serve those parties whether they prefer to use an on-line approach, over the phone or in-person in accessing the mortgage loan services we offer. It is WV’s desire to continue to expand and grow their financial service offerings to the residents Fremont County and the surrounding area. Our Vision: Enhance the lives of our members; Enrich our communities; Encourage financial success.
EVERY TUESDAY Carnegie Book Nook at the Lander Library 1-5 pm EVERY WEDNESDAY Rotary Club noon, Oxbow Restaurant EVERY THURSDAY Parkinson’s Support Group, Lander Senior Center 2-3 pm Kiwanis Club, noon, Mamaw’s Kitchen @ Inn at Lander (formerly Summit)
EVERY SATURDAY Improv Acoustic Music Jams Lander Art Center 10 a.m.-noon
17 Business After Hours Messenger Girls, 320 Main St., 5:30-7 pm
1 Resilient: A just energy transition for Wyoming Coalter Loft, 7 pm
18 Lander Young Professionals 2022 kick off event Coalter Loft, 7 pm
1-14 Fremont County Art Exhibit CWC Arts Center, www.cwc.edu/ artscenter
19 4th Annual Winter Rendezvous Games Riverton City Park
1-28 Red Desert Audubon Show Lander Art Center Tu-Th 10-6, FiSa 10-4
THIRD THURSDAY Foot Care Clinic, 8-noon, Lander Senior Center
4 First Friday any Fremont County Museum, 9-5
EVERY FRIDAY Carnegie Book Nook at the Lander Library noon-4 pm
7 Lander Community Concert Lightwire Theatre, Lander Valley High School auditorium, 7 pm
21 Lander Community Concert Arcis Saxophon Quartett, Lander Valley High School auditorium, 7 pm
CALENDAR
February Events
26 TEDxLander 2022 “Ideas Worth Spreading”, Lander Community Center, 5:30 pm
10 Social Emotional Learning www.cdsfc.org
CMBC Building and Restoration is a trusted, locally-owned and operated general contractor and comprehensive construction company. With 30+ years of experience, CMBC’s team of professionals works with our local community on residential and commercial projects, turning the ideas of home and business owners into reality; if you can dream it, Curt and his team will build it. If it’s not a newly built home you’re in search of, CMBC will work closely with you on renovation plans to deliver a more workable space in your dwelling. Additionally, if you’re impacted by inclement weather, CMBC will work as a trusted advisor alongside your insurance company to sort through every detail, executing the plan to get your home up and running. CMBC’s crew and equipment are around town working on an array of current projects including building a 10,000+ sq. foot commercial medical facility, erecting two impressive custom homes, and conducting mitigation on a home damaged by fire and another by hail. CMBC is also drafting plans for three individual recreation centers the community soon will be able to enjoy. Visit CMBC.build or call Curt at 335-5631.
LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW
Nearly 150 people attended the sold out 2022 Legislative Session Preview Luncheon held January 14 at the Lander Community & Convention Center. State Senators Cale Case and Tim Salazar and Representatives Ember Oakley and Pepper Ottman previewed the upcoming budget session to begin February 14 and answered questions from the audience.
AAA StowAway Storage Lander Community Concert Kim & Beth Johnson Association 120 & 125 Poppy St., Lander PO Box 647, Lander
Union Wireless 850 N. Hwy 414, Mountain View
Black Hills Energy Law Office of Zachary Michael Howe, Community Hamilton Mahlum, LLC Affairs Manager 933 Main St., Suite 6, Lander 1044 S. Railroad, Riverton Main Street Dental Brace, Marty Dr. Teresa Ruehl 28 Pinto Lane, Lander 850 Main St., Lander
Wahl Electric Scott & Amy Wahl PO Box 1535, Lander
Cornerstone Group Realty Museum of the American Judy Bauman, Niki Morrison West 215 S. Broadway, Riverton 1445 Main St., Lander
Aspenglow Obstetrics and Gynecology Dr. Ken Holt 125 Wyoming St., Lander
Country Charm Tammy Logue 173 Main St., Lander
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
Pronghorn Lodge Yvonne Patterson 150 E. Main St., Lander
Fremont Toyota Reed’s Moghaun Office Matt Reed, general manager Supplies 103 Fremont Way, Lander 155 S 5th St., Lander Kellogg, Dave & Carol PO Box 1027, Lander
Tweed Lane Storage Kim & Beth Johnson 100 Tweed Lane, Lander
Book Your Next Meeting at the Chamber! Looking for a brighter, roomier, more professional and technologically advanced place to host a meeting? The Chamber’s got you covered! Full Zoom Room Functionality Our two DTEN video conferencing boards provide our members with a simplified professional meeting experience. The dual setup provides a multi-touch video display alongside a digital whiteboard that allows live onscreen annotation of documents and content sharing. Contact Us to Reserve Your Meeting Today! You don’t need a Zoom account to take advantage of this benefit. Chamber members without their own Zoom license can use ours to host meetings with unlimited minutes for up to 100 participants. Member-only rental pricing makes this an affordable benefit for your business, and conference room is included in some memberships. Contact us today to schedule your meeting!
RENEWING MEMBERS
Thank You, Renewing Members!
NEWSLETTER SPONSORS
___________________________________ Collaborator Investors
RENEWING MEMBERS
Convener Investors
Lonnie Bull
Special thanks to Western Printing for printing the monthly newsletter.
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid LANDER, WY PERMIT NO. 78