Tour 23 coming to Thermopolis

TOUR 23—an ambitious Wyoming Business Alliance effort to discuss and document business conditions and economic development strengths and needs throughout the state—will hold its Hot Springs County session Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 a.m. at the Hot Springs County Museum.

The program is a comprehensive effort involving the Wyoming Business Council, state agencies, and business and government associations. It consists of four-hour meetings in every Wyoming county between April 13 and June 25.

Each session will be moderated by Wyoming Business Alliance, with facilitation by President Bill Schilling and Vice President Fred Catchpole. University of Wyoming Associate Dean of Outreach Anne Alexander will provide local and state economic profiles at each stop.

According to Schilling, “This unprecedented effort features 23 sessions, with every county having its own meeting, and total participation from more than 500 Wyoming citizens. It has never been done before by any state.”

Reports will be prepared after each of the sessions, with final conclusions and recommendations presented at this year’s Governor Matthew H. Mead’s Wyoming Business Forum (a Wyoming Business Alliance/Wyoming Heritage Foundation event) on November 17-18 in Cheyenne. Accordingly, regular updates will be provided to state legislators, which “will be viewed with keen interest,” according to Drew Perkins, Vice President of the State Senate.

The TOUR 23 conversations will be positive and directional. Shawn Reese, CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, believes the “the tour process will help shape the state’s economic strategies going forward.” The meetings will follow an open forum concept. There will be assigned seating for 23 local leaders in an open “U” setting, but additional open seating will be available for any community members who wish to attend.

There will be a meet and greet beginning at 7:30 a.m. The program officially begins at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. Assisting in every county is a local coordinator. Amanda Moeller is the coordinator for Hot Springs County.

For more information, contact the Wyoming Business Alliance (307) 577-8000 or visit http://www.wyomingbusinessalliance.com under “Upcoming Events.