Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce

The Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce's mission is to be a catalyst for business prosperity and a champion for a stronger community, and our vision is to be the number one resource for business in Sheridan County. We remain committed to the following objectives: 1) actively promote a healthy business and economic climate for our area. 2) create a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of local area businesses and a concern for their problems. 3) represent the business community in city, County, state, and national legislative and political affairs. 4) promote business and community growth and development, as well as retention and expansion of existing businesses. 5) discover and correct circumstances which prevent the promotion of business expansion and community growth. 6) promote programs of a civic, social, and cultural nature which increase the functional and aesthetic values of the community. 7) continue to promote tourism for the County and to work closely with the city of Sheridan and Sheridan travel and tourism. The Chamber serves as the primary conduit for information about our community, from requests for general community and event information to inquiries about relocation of families and businesses to our area. The Chamber provides a critical link between those seeking information and resources within our communities and the agencies, businesses, and organizations that provide those resources. The Chamber works closely with area businesses and state and local governmental officials in the development of public policy that may affect business health in the Sheridan area. The Chamber provides a public forum for introduction of candidates during an election and hosts area legislators for public information sessions prior to each legislative session. The Chamber fosters communication and collaboration between area businesses, helping to create community synergy through information sharing, leveraging of resources, and the development of business connections. We offer many networking opportunities for businesspeople, including Chamber luncheons, business before hours and business after hours events. The Chamber plays an active role in economic development in Sheridan County by maintaining a continuous business retention and expansion focus and by working closely with businesses, agencies, and organizations to facilitate specific economic development projects. The Chamber is a key part of Sheridan's economic development task force and works closely with many government entities, non-profits, and focus groups throughout Sheridan County. The Chamber maintains a "Chamber bucks" bank account for the specific purpose of keeping dollars in our community. The Chamber bucks program has been running successfully for many years. In addition, the Chamber dedicates funds to a shop local marketing campaign and utilizes multiple media outlets to spread the message and helps create more understanding on the impact keeping dollars here locally has on the overall health of our community. Our Chamber of Commerce played an integral part in the development of the Wyoming chambers health benefit plan in 2007, a self-insured plan which pays its own claims up to a stop-loss limit beyond which "excess insurance" comes into play. The Chamber distributes convention packets and provides information via our dynamic website. The Chamber also provides relocation information packages at no cost to the requestor. The Chamber creates & distributes community maps and community guides. The staff continues to handle dozens of inquiries each day about the Sheridan area and the Sheridan business community, by telephone, email, and walk-ins. This year the Chamber coordinated a professional development conference, Chamber coffees, workshops, Sheridan wyo rodeo boot kickoff, leadership Sheridan County program, 4-h/ffa buyers dinner, fundraisers, candidate forum & legislative forums, eggs & issues, manufacturing day tours and the christmas stroll. In addition to information services provided by Chamber, projects of the Chamber board of directors, staff and our committees link residents and businesses to government, boost retail sales and community spirit, foster partnerships between local businesses, and connect businesspeople with each other and resources vital to their success. The Chamber board of directors is comprised of 13-15 representatives from various industries in the Sheridan County area. These active volunteers dedicate countless hours to the betterment of our business climate and reaffirmed their commitment to our mission and vision by participating in board strategic planning sessions. Chamber committees work on specific projects which actively promote a positive business and economic climate for our area. Following is a brief description of the current Chamber of Commerce committees, the events each coordinated and the number of volunteers for each committee in 2022: agriculture & natural resources committee: dedicated to promoting and supporting agriculture, natural resources and public lands in our community. Events/programs: 4-h buyers dinner, field tours, lunchtime conversations about open spaces - number of volunteers: 16 ambassadors committee: serve as a "high profile" committee of the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, promote new business, encourage progressive growth in established businesses, promote conventions, tourism, and recreation in the Sheridan County area, officially greet visiting dignitaries, celebrities and distinguished guests to the Sheridan area, officially welcome new businesses to the community and celebrate grand openings, and visit established businesses. Events/programs: christmas stroll, ribbon cuttings, wyo rodeo boot kickoff number of volunteers: 37 business retention & expansion committee: the business retention and expansion committee is a group of member business people who share the common goal of developing new tools and programs to help area businesses grow and prosper, as well as planning and implementing workforce strategies that will ensure the future employability of our workers and address issues affecting business retention, productivity and economic competitiveness. Events/programs: business training, ignite business conference, manufacturing day coordination, Chamber coffees number of volunteers: 14 government affairs committee: acts as a conduit for ideas and information regarding public policy to flow between members, the Chamber board, local municipalities, and elected officials in order to support the health of our communities and the Chamber's mission. Events/programs: legislative forum, candidate forums, eggs & issues forum, post legislative session program number of volunteers: 17 leadership Sheridan County steering committee: a unique educational program designed to broaden the base of quality leadership by inspiring citizens to assume leadership roles, extending awareness of community resources, and strengthening individual leadership skills. Events/programs: Sheridan County leadership modules (10-month program) number of volunteers: 32