Chamber board seat opens

At the August Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce board meeting, during old business CEO Meri Ann Dorman reported that they held the Pageant Day Parade on August 3 with the theme “Let’s Get Along”. There were 23 entries in the parade, which includes four entries that participated with the theme. All the four entries were awarded $100. They were Ryan Brothers Trucking, Gottsche, the Senior Center and Tumbleweed Propane. 

The chamber also held their Demolition Derby on August 10. During the board meeting, Dorman expressed that “this year was more difficult” in getting volunteers to help out. 

Dorman also discussed the 2024 Get Out with Your Family Activity where they hide a stuffed buffalo in certain locations. If someone finds one and turns it into the chamber’s officer, they win $100 of chamber bucks. At the time of the board meeting, there were four still hidden in the possible 17 attractions listed.

Regarding the chamber’s contract with Hot Springs County Travel & Tourism, Dorman reviewed the clarifications of the contract’s language about providing reporting and how the amount is $5,000. The board voted and passed the approval to accept the contract. 

In new business, the board discussed the idea of an electric charging station and wondered where they could locate it. Dorman mentioned in the previous years they worked with Otterspace out of Lander about this and, in her opinion, Dorman said “I think we need it.” In the discussion, they talked about how more and more tourists are driving electric vehicles to Yellowstone National Park. They also discussed getting grants for setting up the station.

One charging station location idea would be at Hot Springs Health, but others discussed that it needed to be where tourists wanted to go for vacation plans. Another difficulty was one of their previous ideas for a location was to be at the Bicentennial Park, but the electric grid in the town there will not be able to handle the power load required for it. For example, fast charging stations take about 15-20 minutes to charge an electric vehicle and these need much power. Other charging stations take 4-5 hours or longer and do not strain the grid as much. 

The chamber board also voted and passed the approval to remove a former chamber employee from their Big Horn Federal signature cards and have it reflected in their minutes.

The chamber board accepted the resignation of Jennifer Arends for medical reasons. The board now has a vacancy available and applications are being accepted for an appointment. The terms for this board ends on June 30, 2025.

Hot Springs County Travel & Tourism board member Angie Guyon was present and was gathering information for their next meeting.

Regarding Main Street Thermopolis, Dorman discussed that on August 21 a representative from the Wyoming Main Street advisory board will be visiting and there is an opportunity to learn about resources and grant possibilities. 

In the director’s report, Dorman discussed their Meet the Candidates forum on July 25. The next forum will be on October 3 at the Thermopolis Middle School with candidates for the school board campaigning. Also, if the special district for the Senior Center is successful on the primary ballot, then candidates for its board will also be campaigning. 

The next chamber board meeting will be on September 12 at Big Horn Federal.