DECEMBER
POINTS to PONDER
Shop Local this Christmas Season — with Lander Buck
Successful local businesses are a sign of a thriving and vibrant community. Since 1995, the Lander Chamber of Commerce has been issuing Lander Bucks for the exclusive benefit of our local economy. Available in increments of $5, $10, $15, and $20, Lander Bucks can be spent just like cash at any Chamber member business. You can purchase Lander Bucks on the Chamber website’s homepage and have them shipped wherever you like. You can also purchase them right here at the Chamber Visitor Center & Business Complex. Lander Bucks make a great Christmas gift! Many local businesses gift Lander Bucks to their employees and loyal customers Get your Lander Bucks today, and shop local!
Meet Your Legislators — December 3rd
At the request of some of our members, we are bringing back our Meet Your Legislators Day to coincide with our annual Fremont County Legislative Session Preview Luncheon. We invite our Chamber members (and also members of the public) to schedule a 15-minute private session with participating legislators to discuss issues of importance to their business or organization. Interested parties are invited to contact us either 307-332-3892 or support@landerchamber.org to reserve a 15-minute session. Priority will be given to Lander Chamber members. While there is no cost to reserve a private session, attendees of the luncheon must purchase a ticket. ($30 for all Lander, Riverton, and Dubois chamber members. $40 for guests.) Our participating legislators are Senators Cale Case (R-25) and Tim Salazar (R-26) and Representatives Lloyd Larsen (R-54), Pepper Ottman (R-34), and John Winter (R-28). Senator Ed Cooper (R-20) and Representatives-Elect Joel Guggenmos (R-55) and Ivan Posey (D-33) are unable to participate due to other legislative commitments.
Merry Christmas!
May the true blessings and peace of Christmas be with you and yours through the season and all of 2025!
Owen Sweeney CEO
Lander Chamber of Commerce
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
Chris VonHoltum Central Bank & Trust
Vice President Tom Davis Fremont Therapy Group
Treasurer
Jennifer Hamilton SageWest Healthcare
Past President
Eric Andrews Summit West CPA Group
DIRECTORS
Jenna Ackerman
Associate Real Estate Broker
Brian Rohrbacher Atlantic City Federal Credit Union
Joseph Susanka Wyoming Catholic College
Ryan Preston Hampton Inn & Suites ~ Riverton
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
CEO
Owen Sweeney
Associate Director Carol King
Program & Event Coord. Meghan Manning
Graphic Design & Social Media
Caeli Sweeney
2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSI PREVIEW LUNCHEON
HOSTED BY PRESENTED BY
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024 | 12:00 NOON - 1:30 PM
LANDER COMMUNITY & CONVENTION CENTER
$30 CHAMBER MEMBERS (LANDER, RIVERTON, & DUBOIS)| $40 GUESTS
$1,000 TABLE SPONSORSHIP (MEMBERS)
$1,250 TABLE SPONSORSHIP (GUESTS) TO PURCHASE: INFO.LANDERCHAMBER.ORG/EVENTS
COMMUNITY AWARDS
We invite you to submit nominations for our 2025 Community Awards! To submit your choices online, go to: www.landerchamber.org and click Annual Community Awards Luncheon under the EVENTS and PROGRAMS tab. For more information, call the Lander Chamberat332-3892.Astraditionholds,thecategoriesare:
ANCHOR BEAUTIFICATION
survived the challenge of time (business)
outstanding storefront appearance (business)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
innovation, enthusiasm, and creativity
SPIRIT OF LANDER
ignites enthusiasm with their participation (business)
LIFTETIME CONTRIBUTION
2024 LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION AWARD
long-standing community commitment (individual)
Dave Kellogg (†)
Photo Credit: Brad Christensen
2024 winners l-r: Dave Kellogg (†) (Lifetime Contribution); Ann Espinosa (Chamber Board Immediate Past President); Adam Cooper of Whitebark Cafe (Co-Rookie of the Year); Kevin Wilson of the Lander Free Medical Clinic (Spirit of Lander); Owen Sweeney, Lander Chamber CEO; Marlee & Bugs Robinson of Silver Spur Lanes (Anchor Award); Krista & Fabian Lobera of The Lander Motel (Beautification Award). Not pictured: Jake Perkinson of Lander Bread Share (Co-Rookie of the Year)
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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Join us December 19 for the next BAH, hosted by Wind River Outpost! ~ Get connected and stay connected in the Lander business community ~
320 Main St., Lander 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Free and open to the public.
Wind River Outpost is a veteran-owned gift shop founded by Mike Strasser in 2022. Mike and CoOwner Libby Littler run the shop, featuring laser engraved accessories and other gear. With a variety of gifts and styles, Mike continues to add new items to the shop for everyone to enjoy. His and Libby’s unique selection of artwork, apparel, handcrafted items, and gifts are carefully created in their workshop using direct to garment printing, sublimation, and laser engraving processes. Many of their products are available in a variety of colors and sizes, and custom artwork is accepted for your gift or business needs. Contact them today!
FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY 19 16 20 20 17 15
Hampton Inn & Suites - Riverton Upcoming Business After Hours Hosts
Wind River Outpost
Central Wyoming College - Lander
Water for Wildlife
The Lander Motel
Wyoming Outdoor Council
BUSINESS EDUCATION
Here is sample post from the Chamber’s blog Be sure to visit landerchamber org/blog for this and other topics touching on public policy, economic development, networking and business education opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our community.
U.S. District Court Vacates Onerous Department of Labor Overtime Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 15, 2024) – Today’s decision by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in the case Plano Chamber of Commerce, et al v DOL is a tremendous win for small businesses. The lawsuit challenged the Department of Labor’s (DOL) overtime rule increasing the minimum salary threshold for exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) executive, administrative, or professional exemption (EAP exemption). The Court determined that the rule, which went into effect in July of this year, exceeded the DOL’s statutory authority and should be vacated.
“On behalf of the thousands of small businesses who have been adversely impacted by the 2024 overtime rule, NFIB is grateful to the Court for putting an end to this onerous regulation,” said
Beth Milito, Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center. “This rule overcomplicated the process for determining EAP exemptions, and exponentially increased labor costs for thousands of small businesses. Today’s decision will provide substantial relief for Main Street firms.”
NFIB’s lawsuit argued that the DOL’s overtime rule exceeds the DOL’s statutory authority under the FLSA and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). NFIB joined with numerous other organizations in filing the lawsuit.
The NFIB Small Business Legal Center protects the rights of small business owners in the nation’s courts. NFIB is currently active in more than 40 cases in federal and state courts across the country and in the U S Supreme Court
The Lander Chamber is an NFIB member and shares its benefits with its members.
We launched our blog in 2019 (landerchamber.org/blog) and have published more than 200 posts since! We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike.
RENEWING MEMBERS
3 Spear Ranch, LLC 901 Little Warm Springs Rd. Dubois
Black Hills Energy 1301 W. 24th St., Cheyenne
Marty Brace 28 Pinto Ln., Lander
CyberWyoming PO Box 2332, Laramie
Edward Jones, John P. Shade, Financial Advisor 704 Main St., Lander
Fremont Therapy Group 8168 Hwy 789, Lander
Lander Library Friends Association. 451 N. 2nd St., Lander
Lander Performing Arts PO Box 647, Lander
The Law Office of Zachary Mahlum, LLC 933 Main St., Suite 6, Lander
Pageant of the Old West/Pioneer Days Parade PO Box 145, Lander
Rainmaker Marketing Solutions LLC
118 Valley Circle, Riverton WELCOME, NEW MEMBER!
Slow Food Wind River 228 Main St., Lander
Chamber CEO Owen Sweeney and County 10’s
Charene Herrera interview a Lander Chamber member every week on our 2x award-winning radio show/podcast The interviews air on KOVE radio and are distributed as a podcast on County 10’s and the Chamber’s websites and social media channels to make sure thousands of Fremont County residents learn about your business! Contact us today to lock in your recording slot!
Thank�,�oufor
