February 2023 newsletter

Thank you, CATALYST Level Members!

We’ve all been hearing that a recession is likely. But what is a recession, and how will it affect you?

What is a Recession?

When the nation’s overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shrinks for two consecutive quarters, this is called a recession. This last happened from December 2007 until June 2009, the most prolonged recession since WWII and, like all recessions, it caused economic hardship for millions. When the economy contracts, less money is spent and fewer workers are needed, leading to high unemployment.

Causes of Recession

From the CEO POINTS TO PONDER

Recessions are started by one or more conditions, including:

•Economic shocks. Recall OPEC cutting off oil supply to the US in the 1970s or more recently COVID.

•Excess debt. When people take on too much debt or banks lend indiscriminately, defaults and bankruptcies increase.

•Asset bubbles. The ‘07-’09 recession was caused in part by overinflated real estate prices. Once these prices became apparent, millions dumped their stocks, leading to a price crash that devastated many investment portfolios that relied heavily on real estate.

•Technological advances. New technologies have led to whole professions becoming obsolete. Many fear that robots and AI may take away entire sections of jobs.

How do Recessions Affect Local Businesses?

Unlike larger organizations, small businesses don’t generally retain large capital reserves, can’t maintain large profit margins, and can’t simply lay off large numbers of workers to survive. Typically, our members employ people with strong connections to the business whose knowledge and skills are not easily replaced.

Planning for the Long Term

Small businesses can be adaptable: avoid layoffs by asking staff to work fewer hours. That way, you still have those skilled, loyal employees available once a crisis ends. Look at other ways to save costs or consider investing capital when times are good, so there’s a buffer for the hard times. A modern local business is flexible and agile; with sufficient planning, your business can endure a recession and emerge stronger than ever.

Owen Sweeney CEO

Lander Chamber of Commerce

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President

Ann Espinosa

Home Source Realty

Vice President

Dave Fehringer

Fremont Engineering & Surveying Services

Treasurer

Chris VonHoltum Central Bank & Trust

Past President

Eric Andrews

Summit West CPA Group

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tom Davis

Fremont Therapy Group

Jennifer Hamilton

SageWest Healthcare

Jenna Ackerman

Associate Real Estate Broker

Justin Hegwer

Farm Bureau Financial Services

Brian Rohrbacher Atlantic City Federal Credit Union

Joseph Susanka Wyoming Catholic College

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Owen Sweeney CEO

Carol King Associate Director

Carlos Solis

Brewfest Coordinator

Get Connected ~ Stay Connected!

February 16: Messenger Girls

March 16: Mountain Vista Retirement Center

April 20: Stanley Steemer (at the Oxbow)

May 18: Benessere Clinic

January’s Business After Hours was hosted by Central Bank & Trust.

Community Awards

Luncheon 2023!

We are now accepting nominations for our 2023 Community Awards! To submit your nominations, go to landerchamber.org and click on the Vote here! button.

The Community Awards Luncheon will be held Friday, March 3 from noon to 1:00 at the Lander Community & Convention Center.

ANCHOR AWARD

Survived the challenge of time (business)

BEAUTIFICATION

Outstanding storefront appearance

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Innovation, enthusiasm & creativity (business)

SPIRIT OF LANDER

Ignites enthusiasm with their participation (business)

LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION

Long-standing community commitment (individual)

GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS

EVERY TUESDAY

Carnegie Book Nook at the Lander Library 1-5 pm

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Rotary Club noon, Oxbow Restaurant

FIRST THURSDAY

Parkinson’s Support Group, Lander Senior Cntr 2-3 pm

EVERY THURSDAY

Kiwanis Club, noon, Mamaw’s Kitchen @ Inn at Lander (formerly Summit)

EVERY FRIDAY

Carnegie Book Nook at the Lander Library noon-4 pm

EVERY SATURDAY

Improv Acoustic Music Jams Lander Art Center 10 am-noon

Feb. 1-May 1 Register for Wyoming’s 2023 Cybersecurity Competition for Small Business Register at www.cyberwyoming.org/ competition

February Events

1-28 Re ection - The Art of Being Lander Art Center, Tu-Th 10-6, F-Sa 10-4

3 First Friday Fremont County Museums (Dubois, Lander, Riverton) 9-5

3 Lander First Friday Walk - Explore - Unwind at local businesses

3-5 Winter in Wyoming with Women Who Hike Boysen State Park, register online: www.eventbrite.com/e/winterin-wyoming-with-women-whohike-tickets-489070281377

4 Wyoming Symphony Brass Quintet Lander Valley High School auditorium, 7 pm

4, 18 Riverton Ice Races East Monroe ponds, call 851-2724 for ice conditions

7 Wildlife On Tap Coalter Loft upstairs from Gannett Grill, 7-8:30 pm

11 Kids Treasure Hunt CWC Arts Center, Riverton, 10-11:30 am

16 Business After Hours

Messenger Girls, 320 Main St., 5:30-7pm

21 Workforce Development Training Fund Q&A Session Free, online, 2-3 pm, register: https://dws.wyo.gov/dwsdivision/business-trainingsupport-unit/workforcedevelopment-training-fund/

25 2nd Annual Roll & Slide Poker Ride $35 registration from 8-10 a.m. at the Lander Bake Shop, Aid Stations open 9 am-3 pm and Warming Hut open10 am-4 pm in Sinks Canyon State Park

Promote Your Business on the Lander Biz Show!

Last year, your Lander Chamber of Commerce struck out into new territory by starting its own radio show and podcast -- the Lander Biz Show -- for you, our members!

Let us put your business in the spotlight!

Chamber CEO Owen Sweeney and County 10’s

Charene Herrera interview a Lander Chamber member every week, airing the conversation on local radio and 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!

Most memberships include one appearance each year

If you are a member of the Lander Chamber at the Cultivator Level or above, your benefits include an annual appearance on the Lander Biz Show! (A discounted fee is available for our Classic Level members.) Recordings are scheduled every other Wednesday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Contact us today to schedule your appearance on the award-winning Lander Biz Show!

Thank You, Renewing Members!

Altitude Interiors

333 Main St., Lander

CMBC Building & Restoration, CommercialResidential

PO Box 1448, Lander

Earth Works Landscaping LLC

PO Box 1613, Lander

Elevate Rehab

535 E. Main St., Suite D, Lander

Family Chiropractic 8135 Hwy 789, Lander

Fremont County Fair 1010 Fairgrounds Dr., Riverton

Fremont Therapy Group 8168 Highway 789, Lander

Lander Children’s Museum

465 Lincoln St., Lander

LOR Foundation

388 Main St., Suite B, Lander

McRae, Tony & Connie

2045 Baldwin Creek Road, Lander

Mountain Dental

345 Garfield St., Lander

One Shot Antelope Club PO Box 95, Lander

Perfect Power Electric Inc.

1320 W. Main St., Lander

Porter’s Mountain View Supply, Inc.

750 Sunset Dr., Riverton

Smartt Insurance Agency Inc.

505 Main St., Lander

Tiger Joint Powers Board 400 Baldwind Creek Road, Lander

Trinity Episcopal Church 860 S. 3rd St., Lander

Whiting Law PC, 277 Main St., Suite 3, Lander

Wyoming Catholic College 306 Main St., Lander

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

CyberWyoming

Laura Baker PO Box 2332, Laramie

Sinks Canyon State Park 3079 Sinks Canyon Road, Lander

Wild Mountain Painting Andrew Titus

34 Speyer Dr., 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!

Collaborator Investors