Meeting planned to discuss revitalizing economic development

At the February 8 Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce board meeting, CEO Meri Ann Dorman discussed the coming board nominations and the annual board meeting in April. In May, they will begin the election process and in June they will announce the new board members and elect the executive board for the next fiscal year.

Dorman and the board discussed the Economic Task Force which had a meeting last year. Dorman said, “My goal was to get all of the entities in the room and talk about what they were working on so that we were not as siloed but aware of what people were doing, so we weren’t duplicating services. But from that discussion, we talked about needing an economic development business entity.”

Dorman continued and said, “They closed their doors because what money they had was going towards administration and stuff like that. We mentioned how the Chamber does an MOU to help with some administration. From that, Shurie Scheel has visited with the old EDC board and they are interested. The route we’re taking is rather than forming a new 501c6 is taking theirs and bringing it up to speed with the codes, everything, because we felt that was a quicker process with the rate that the IRS operates.” 

Dorman added, “They will have their next meeting on February 29 at 6 p.m. here at Big Horn Federal and would like input.”

Representing HSC Travel & Tourism, Sherman Skelton gave the chamber board an update. He discussed their work on finalizing the location of their digital sign and how the utility costs are primary factors. Also, Skelton discussed their celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the Yellowstone Highway and its creation of the road work in Wind River Canyon, which is a destination for tourists. 

Dorman added to the tourism conversation and discussed that the lodging tax initiative is on the ballot again this year. She and Skelton noted that the lodging tax is not a tax for residents in Hot Springs County, but it is only used when someone stays at a hotel, motel, or short-term rental. 

Howie Samelson, representing Main Street Thermopolis, updated the board about their Love Local campaign. He also discussed how some of their board members are working and attending the Main Street National Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. Dorman added that the artists Autumn Hnilicka and Aiyana Perez of Sage Brushes from Lander who painted the mural at the Old Fire Hall will be doing another painting in Jackson soon.

During the director’s report, Dorman updated the board about the task force for the shooting complex. They submitted their letter of interest to the HSC Commissioners to review it on February 15. The letter is due to the state of Wyoming on March 1. 

Dorman also discussed some upcoming meetings. The National Main Street conference will be May 2-9. The Leadership Wyoming Academy for economic development will be June 19-21. 

Additionally, Dorman said that the big top circus that came to Thermopolis two years ago is looking into returning to town. The dates of their performances are still to be determined. Dorman also encouraged individuals and businesses to check online for potential unclaimed property that they might not know about.

The next Chamber meeting will be on March 14 at Big Horn Federal.