Free Small Business Roundtable

The Rock Springs Chamber in partnership with the Small Business Development Center and Commerce Bank Of Wyoming are featuring monthly small business rountables that are open to the public. These roundtables feature topics that are relevant to business owners, such as Taxes for Small Business, Investment Opportunities, and this month, Workforce Training Grants. Future topics are slated to include Social Media and Marketing. The program will run through May and begin again in September.

The roundtables are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month.  

The April Roundtable will be held on April 2nd and Pat Brown from Wyoming Workforce Services will be presenting. There will be a FREE lunch provided. All you have to do is RSVP by March 31st. 

The Rock Springs Chamber has utilized these grants on multiple occasions and we've been very impressed by the Wyoming Workforce Center. They were always very helpful and eager to assist us. These programs are available through the State of Wyoming and we are fortunate to have them. 

Free Small Business Roundtable

Wyoming Workforce

Training Grants

Presented by: 

Presentation by:

Pat Brown, Manager

Wyoming Department

of Workforce Services

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014

11:45a.m. until 1:00p.m.

Lunch will be provided.

Commerce Bank Conference Room
Located at  1575 Dewar Drive

Holy Spirit Catholic School Ribbon Cutting

Holy Spirit Catholic School's New Technology Upgrade on March 21st at 10am 

The new technology upgrade was a three phase plan.  Phase I and II were completed in January. 

Phase I consisted of new MacBook Pro laptops and iPads for each teacher and two iPad mini carts which include 30 total iPad minis.  This Phase was donated by the Estate of Mario Temperini.

Phase II included a new computer lab with 16 iMacs to accommodate all classes.  This Phase was donated by the Rock Springs Catholic School Foundation.

Our Phase III will consist of two iMacs per classroom (total of 16).  This should be implemented by the start of the next school year.

New Building, New Energy

New Building, New Energy

Promoting the Community, Providing Networking Opportunities and Business Contacts

            

           The Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce has been housed in the same building, in the same location since 1981. Whereas, the location is perfect, the building itself, reminiscent of a “Little Yellow Shed,” could a little (or more!) updates. In 2013, the opportunity to write, and then apply for two grants through the Wyoming Business Council occurred, and the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce dove head-first into $800,000 worth of grants.

            One grant will only be used to create a handicap accessible property, including handicap accessible public restrooms, picnic tables, walkways, doors, and counters. The current Chamber building is anything but handicap accessible, and although the Chamber does employ part-time help from physically disabled persons in the community, the current building set-up creates hazards and hardships for these employees.

            The second grant will be used to expand the Chamber building to construct a conference room on the first level of the building. This grant will also provide funds so that the main floor of the building will be laid out in a better organized fashion. The current layout is closed-off and does not create a sense of contentedness among the staff and customers. The new office interior will be much more open so that every staff member is aware of what is happening throughout the office.

            The Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce will not know the status of the grants until early summer of 2014. If approved, the Rock Springs Chamber will be able to begin construction as soon as fall of 2014. The improvement of the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce and the surrounding park will set the tone for visitors to Rock Springs. The updated building will announce that Rock Springs is continually moving forward, all the while welcoming businesses, residents, and visitors with open arms.

Join us at YAP tonight!!

Next YAP meet-up is tonight, Thursday, March 13, at 6pm! Join us at Coyote Creek Steakhouse & Saloon for our monthly social event and listen to a brief presentation from Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

See you there!

What is YAP? 

In 2012, the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce conducted a business survey that consisted of a cross-section of our member businesses throughout Sweetwater County to assess the needs, economic stability, future plans, and struggles of companies that operate in this area. A pattern quickly emerged. Businesses were having trouble finding and keeping employees, especially employees from the younger generations. Armed with this information, the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce gathered together a small group of professionals from the younger generation that work in Sweetwater County to create an opportunity for young professionals to come together once a month for social, educational, and civic events.

            YAP was born. The first event took place in January of 2013, and every month thereafter. YAP membership is $25 per person, per year for members of the Chamber, and $35 per person, per year for non-members. YAP donated time to the Boys and Girls Club of Sweetwater County, took a float trip in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, had speakers come to events to inform the membership about the Affordable Healthcare Act, and many other challenges that professionals faced in 2013, and had a BBQ to kick off the summer events.

            YAP membership is open to any professional between the ages of 21 and 39. Demographics of Sweetwater County show a population with an average age of 31 years. This is much younger than the national average age. As the Baby Boomer generation is leaving the workforce, and generations X, Y, and the Millennials enter into the workforce, shifts have to take place throughout the community to ensure that the younger workforce needs are being met so that employees will be retained, and businesses can focus on improving operations, instead of recruiting, hiring, and training workforce.

            In its first year, YAP was extremely successful, and 2014 will keep the momentum by keeping all of the members involved in community, social, and educational activities.

Check out our plans for the rest of 2014!

Tentative Events:

                        March 13th, 2014-Big Brothers/Big Sisters-Malinda Baas

                        April 12th, 2014-Easter Bunny Activity

                        May 8th, 2014-Recreational Activities with Jenissa

                        June 19th, 2014-Family BBQ

                        July– Break

                        August 16th-Blues and Brews-URA

                        August 23rd, 2014-Raft Trip

                        September 11th, 2014-Mortgages with Cody Pierpoint

                        October 16, 2014-URA Activities with Chad Banks

                        October 9th, 2014 Halloween Party

                        November 13th, 2014-Food Drive

                        December 11th, 2014-Christmas Party 

Your Gateway to the Community!

The Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce is your gateway to the community. While not being a division of the City of Rock Springs or Sweetwater County, the Chamber works very closely with both entities to ensure that our community is continually progressing for businesses, and that livability for residents improves year by year. Travelers are also a cheery sight for the Chamber. Housed in the front doors of the Chamber building is a twenty-four hour information center, and the office is staffed from 8a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday.

           

Funding for the Rock Springs Chamber comes mainly from businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe in being a member of an organization that is dedicated to promoting Sweetwater County and the surrounding areas. Additional funding is derived from contracts for services and some of the projects that the Chamber sponsors.  Funding is used for day-to-day operations, salaries, and education and training for the staff and CEO.

Staff in 2014 include: Dave Hanks, CEO; Daisy Martinez, Finances; Katie Yedinak, Office Coordinator; Meg Torgersen, Membership Director; Kayla McDonald, Business Development Manager; David Freeman, Delivery Specialist, and Johno Green, Public Relations.

The 2014 Board of Directors Includes: Mark Wilson, President; Keaton West, VP of Internal Affairs; Mark Dale, Treasurer, Jerry Klein, President Elect; Jane Daniels, Director; Stacy Pivic, Director; Jason Campbell, Director; Christina Magagna, Director; Jana Pastor, Director; Paul Moorman, Director; Dr. Karla Leach, Director; Kirsi Anselmi-Stith, Youth Director; and Doug Linn, BLM Representative.

Everyone can benefit by having a strong local Chamber of Commerce. As the eyes and ears of the community, we have a passion to sell the community to locals and visitors, allowing growth and prosperity. We are continually striving to find creative solutions to the challenges faced by businesses, and we are grateful to be able to offer many different ways in which to ease the everyday stress of running a business.

2014 promises to be another active year in Sweetwater County and at the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce and we look forward supporting those that support you.