June 2020 Lander Chamber Newsletter

2020

JUNE

NEWSLETTER

INTRODUCTION

From the Executive Director

W

e’re all sick of hearing about COVID-19. It has permeated our lives, is causing great suffering, and is, to a significant extent, fracturing our society.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Michelle Mazur, President Elevate Rehab

Too extreme? Consider the two camps into which most of society has set up its tents.

One side, with legitimate concerns for their own health and the health of their loved ones, urges strict adherence to social distancing measures, including the wearing of masks. The other side rejects such measures due to justifiable skepticism regarding how harmful the virus really is and whether the government is overstepping its bounds.

Both sides have their points, and because on the matter of COVID-19 there is room for reasonable disagreement, we must strive to practice mutual respect and understanding. No matter our conclusion, it is untenable to expect that everyone else must conform to what I think the threat level really is.

The Chamber has been contacted by concerned residents about businesses that refuse to mandate that their employees and/or customers wear masks. Others are refusing to shop at businesses that do mandate them. What to do?

Live, and let live.

It has become too easy for one side to label the other “grandma killers” and themselves in turn be called “sheeple.”

I, for one, don’t find it terribly convenient to wear a mask.

But if a private business owner requests that I wear one in his store because he and his customers are in a vulnerable demographic, I will inconvenience myself. I don’t do it because “the government told me”. I do it out of respect.

I have spoken with business owners on both sides of this matter. They understand that their decisions may cause them to lose customers. They know that people have choices and the freedom to draw their own conclusions, and they respect that. We should be grateful to live among such people.

As the saying goes, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

Jonathan Tonkowich, Vice Pres.

Wyoming Catholic College

Eric Andrews, Treasurer Fagnant, Lewis & Brinda P.C.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ann Espinosa Home Source Realty Inc. Inter Mountain Builders

Dave Fehringer WH Smith & Associates, Inc.

Suzanne Norris Wyoming Life Resource Center

Rick Bestul NAPA Auto Parts

James Whiting Whiting Law PC

Joanne Slingerland Central Wyoming College

Mika Baker, Past President Central Bank & Trust

PROFESSIONAL STAFF Owen Sweeney Executive Director

Carol King Associate Director

Kelsey Ball

Owen Sweeney Executive Director Lander Chamber of Commerce

Events & Programs

T

he Wyoming Legislature, with the approval of Governor Mark Gordon, has created three new grant programs to distribute $325 million of Wyoming's $1.25 billion allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to Wyoming small-business owners who have experienced hardship related to the coronavirus pandemic. $50 million in grants of up to $50,000 will be provided to businesses that employ fewer than 50 people; $225 million in grants of up to $300,000 will go to businesses that employ fewer than 100 people; and $50 million will be made available for reimbursement of up to $500,000 in expenses incurred for the health and safety of employees and compliance with public health guidelines as a result of COVID-19.

The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) has been charged with writing rules and finalizing a process for the distribution and tracking of these grants. As part of this process, the Lander Chamber helped to facilitate a Zoom Meeting between several local potential recipients and Sen. Cale Case, Rep. Lloyd Larsen, WBC CEO Josh Dorrell, and WBC South Central Regional Director Marcio Paes-Barreto.

The Business Council expects to launch the first portion of the grant program and open applications for businesses at the beginning of June. The agency anticipates holding multiple webinars to help potential recipients understand the program, determine whether they qualify, and begin applying.

To prepare in the meantime for any of the programs, business owners can gather the following documents now: - A Certificate of Good Standing from the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office - A W-9 Form from the State Auditor's office. Please ensure the business or personal name; the Employer Identification Number or Social Security number; and the business classification you enter on the form match your latest tax return Business owners are also encouraged to register for Business Council media releases to keep up on the latest information on all three programs. Updates will also be posted on the agency's Facebook and Twitter channels.

The Business Council will work with local partners -- economic development organizations; the Wyoming Business Resource Network; Main Street programs; Chambers of Commerce; the Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association (WLRA); tourism organizations; etc. -- to distribute information and provide support in the application process.

WBC PROGRAMS

State Business Relief Grants

NEW MEMBERS

BUSINESS AFTER Welcome to New Chamber Members!

Western Wyoming Medical

The former Fremont Motors location at the east edge of Lander will be the home for Western Wyoming Medical, a modern facility providing diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This facility will provide the appropriate environment for patients and their providers; patients will realize huge cost savings and will no longer have to bear the cost of expensive travel arrangements or redundant testing due to segmented care.

Western Wyoming Medical will yield

maximum efficiency and operational excellence. The management team, physicians, and business consultants bring nearly 100 years of operational experience in cardiovascular disease management, surgical procedures, and business efficiency. Our local employees will be trained by a team of experts in their field from tertiary medical centers around the country, each with a minimum of 10 years’ experience.

Whiskey Goats Mountaineering Whiskey Goats Mountaineering was founded in 2018 in the mountains while owners Jessica and Casey Evans were enjoying whiskey with their friends. The happy group decided it would be cool to have a t-shirt made to commemorate their fun.

Then they decided hoodies would be a good idea, and Whiskey Goats Mountaineering was born.

Shot glasses, flasks, Nalgene bottles, and buffs are a few of the other items available for sale on their website www.whiskeygoats.com. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook for the latest reviews on gear, trails, and whiskey! Email whiskeygoats@ gmail.com or call 307-389-2725. See you out there!

Pingora Consulting, LLC, is a special education consulting firm located in Lander. Our vision is firmly grounded in the belief that outcomes for every student with a disability can be improved through a culture of continuous learning and high expectations. Pingora Consulting offers a comprehensive array of consultative services across the nation to state education agencies, school districts and other entities. Services include providing professional development and technical assistance; developing digital tools to assist educators and administrators; and conflict coaching with school boards, leaders and teams. The combined experience of Pingora Consulting spans all aspects of special education from legal and regulatory requirements to programmatic and organizational topics.

To learn more about the services and expertise our team provides visit our website at PingoraConsulting.com.

NEW MEMBERS

Pingora Consulting

Wind River Visitors Council The Wind River Visitors Council’s mission is to stimulate tourism by increasing awareness of—and encouraging visitation to—the unique destinations, activities, and events in Fremont County/Wind River Country, Wyoming. The Wind River Visitors Council (WRVC) is a Joint Powers Lodging Tax Board responsible for promoting the travel and tourism industry in Fremont County through expenditures of the lodging tax. WRVC Board members represent our communities and the county and are appointed by local city councils and the Fremont County Commissioners.

See our work at WindRiver.org, Facebook (Wyoming’s Wind River Country), on Instagram (@windrivercountry), and on YouTube (Wind River Country). Stay in touch on Facebook (Wind River Visitors Council) or by emailing info@windriver.org.

SANITIZE/DISINFECT

Sanitizer/Disinfectant Available

D

ue to the generosity of Travis Becker, owner of The Print Shop and Main Street Office Supply in Riverton, we have on hand here at the Visitor Center & Business Complex pre-mixed SaniQ2 sanitizer and disinfectant for distribution to our members free of charge.

We do not have spray bottles available, but if you bring your own empty bottles, we would be happy to fill you up with what you need. We have plenty!

Please note that this is not hand sanitizer, but rather sanitizer and disinfectant for food contact and non-food contact surfaces in any facility, restaurant, bar, federally inspected meat and poultry plant, and beverage plant.

The Lander Chamber, in partnership with the Wyoming Business & Industry Federation, has begun the formation of a local Business Response Team (BRT) to assist business owners mitigate the economic effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to strengthen their businesses through the recovery. If you’re looking for ways to save your business, the professional below would like to help.

Beau Wendling is the New York Life Insurance Company agent in Lander.

Helping clients understand their options and achieve their goals are what makes his job so rewarding. Beau has also served on the Lander Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is currently a member of the Lander Ambassadors.

Dave Goldman, Chief Financial Officer of Atlantic City Federal Credit Union in Lander, is an experienced Certified Public Accountant with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. He has taken the analytic and technical skills learned in the public accountancy field and has applied them to the Credit Union world. He believes that an individual or entity must act with integrity and accountability while constantly reaching for improvement.

Alyssa Lozier is an Edward Jones financial advisor. She believes it’s important to invest her time in understanding what her clients are working toward before investing their money. Working closely with clients and their CPA, attorney, and other professionals, she can help determine the most appropriate financial strategy for you and your family.

BUSINESS NEW MEMBER RESPONSE WELCOME TEAM

Business Response Team Ready

Center of Hope - Volunteers of America 223 West Adams, Riverton

Home Source Realty George Piplica, Broker/ Owner 1632 Main St., Lander

Cowfish Kyle Vassilopoulos 148 Main St., Lander Farm Bureau Financial Services Jake Huhnke, Cori Slingerland 1630 Main St., Lander Fremont Distributing Carl Asbell 425 N. Broadway, Riverton Fremont Movers Dwaine Kimmel PO Box 1417, Riverton Guschewsky, Alice 636 Fremont St., Lander

Inn at Lander/Summit Restaurant and Lounge Cale Case, Shirley Case 260 Grand View Dr., Lander

National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Association Sara Domek, Executive Director PO Box 1435, Dubois Paint Systems LLC Jeff Winger PO Box 1012, Lander Tegeler & Associates Tim Robeson 194 N. 7th St., Lander

Lander Bake Shop Matt & Angie Flint 259 Main St., Lander

Stanbury and Strike PC Jeff Stanbury, Kate Strike 295 Garfield, Lander

Lander Cycling Club PO Box 1433, Lander

Wind River Power Sports Greg Scott, manager 192 Main St., Lander

Mountain Vista Retirement Center Darcy Englert, service director 180 Chase Dr., Lander

Wyoming Custom Meats, Inc. Jared Hamilton 9049 Hwy 789, Hudson

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid LANDER, WY PERMIT NO. 78

Thanks to our annual newsletter sponsors!

Western Wyoming Medical LLC Special thanks to Western Printing for printing the monthly newsletter.

RENEWING MEMBERS

Hello... the House Betty Robertson 370 Main St., Lander

RENEWING MEMBERS

Adam E. Phillips, Attorney at Law, PC 260 Lincoln St., Lander