April 2009  May 2009   June 2009 

May's Red Carpet Award winner,  Sarah Hymas, Book n Bean accepts  the "Red Carpet" pin and $25 Gift Certificate.

Red Carpet Service Award        

Red Carpet Award Winner for May is Sarah Hymas, Book n Bean for her outstanding customer service.

Sarah Hymas was nominated by an individual who wanted to remain anonymous.  These were the comments “Sarah is consistently outstanding-always goes out of the way to help customers, whether it has anything to do with books or not.  Sarah deserves the recognition”!  Sarah Hymas receives a Red Carpet Pin, $25.00 Gift Certificate as well as other advertising.  Shewill be entered in the Red Carpet Person of the Year award contest to be presented in 2010.

If you know someone out there that has rolled out the red carpet for you, give them some well deserved recognition and nominate them for next month’s award!  Nomination cards can be found at the Chamber office and also at most of the businesses.

If you were the nomination person of a Red Carpet winner please stop by the office we have a gift for you too.  We appreciate you taking the time and effort to make sure someone’s efforts are noticed.

 
Alan Dubberley, Deputy Director for the State of Wyoming Department of Tourism,  updates Chamber
Members about the State's advertising campaign and tourism projections. 

Lunch and Learn winners of the drawings, Regina Clark, Bank of the West, Bob Saunders, Wells Fargo and Terri Cook
Hampton Inn & Suites, not pictured Marie Colestock, Green River Realty.

Lunch & Learn    

May winners: Bob Saunders, Wells Fargo, Newsletter Profile; Marie Colestock, Green River Realty, Radio; Regina Clark, Bank of the West, Radio; James Evans, Ardent Hotel Advisors; 50/50 Raffle winner was Bob Saunders,  The Lunch & Learn program is held the third Wednesday of every month at noon at rotating Chamber member restaurants that can accommodate the meetings.  June’s Lunch and Learn will be June 17th, Noon , Rolling Green Golf Course, the topic will be an update from Rocky Mountain Power about the Transmission Line.

Chamber Board of Directors
and Staff

¨         Bob Saunders, Past-President  Wells Fargo   307-352-5538

¨         Michael Nelson, President    High Plains Physical Therapy  307-875-1847 

¨         Cindy Brandjord, Vice President  School District #2  307-872-3290 

¨         Bonnie Bigolin, 1st Vice-President   Print Link Ad-Specialties 307-875-6128 

¨         Robert Berg, Secretary  Artic Circle  307-875-4582 

¨         Jeff Nieters, Treasurer  City of Green River  307-872-6122 

¨         Kathy Gilbert  Green River Star  307-875-3103 

¨         Joanna Nara-Kloepper   BLM  307-352-0321 

¨         Brian Mortimer  Solvay  307-872-6508 

¨         Jeff Wilson    Desert View Eye Care Center  307-875-3399 

¨         Marie Colestock  Green River Realty  307-875-5522 

¨         Terri Cook  307-875300  Hampton Inn Suites

• Janet Hartford, Executive Director

• Wendy Kraft, Office Specialist

Renewals  

21 Years

Western Wyoming College/Green River Center
Carole Shafer, Professional, Technical and Community Education
#1 College Way
Green River, WY  82935
307-872-1326
Fax: 307-872-1318
cshafer@wwcc.wy.us

Doing Business Via the Web

By Mark Atkinson, WyomingEntrepreneur.Biz southwest regional director 
"Does my business need a Web site?"  Mauricio, Jackson

               A well-designed Web site is a way to provide information to current and potential customers. Developing a potentially successful sales channel can positively affect the bottom line of a business.
               Most businesses can benefit from a Web site if it is properly optimized and more important, advertised. Simply placing a site on the Web will not likely bring clients. Some of the more effective advertising ideas for Web sites are:
               -- Using other sales channels such as eBay to let customers know you are there and to generate sales.
               -- Pay per click marketing using services such Google's AdWords.
               -- Chambers of Commerce.
               -- E-mail marketing tools such Myemma.com.
               -- Placing the business site address on all print marketing.
               A common misconception is that "word of mouth" is a marketing strategy. Truth is this is a social phenomenon, not a marketing strategy. Word of mouth is not something a business has complete control over since this type of 
               information sharing can contain both positive and negative opinions.
               Actively marketing a business Web site will broadcast a positive image every time and providing excellent customer service will confirm this message and develop loyal clients.

               How does a business provide excellent customer service with a Web site?
               -- Respond within 24 hours (less is better if feasible) to ding all inquiries.
               -- Update the site regularly to provide the latest news and information about products and services.
               -- Use customer assessment tools such as www.surveymonkey.com to find what clients are seeking along with products or services not currently offered.
               -- Make sure everything on the business site works well.
               -- Clearly state policies about ordering and returns to establish clear expectations by the client.

Finally, incorporation of a Web site into a local business is an ongoing part of workflow that requires constant attention, especially if a shopping cart is available to potential customers. While site development does have some plateaus, continued dedication is 
essential for success with this most excellent tool.

               For eCommerce assistance, e-mail Atkinson at matkins2@uwyo.edu.
               A blog version of this article and an opportunity to post comments is available at http://www.wyomingentrepreneur.typepad.com/blog/.
               The WSBDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the 

University
 of 
Wyoming

. To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, e-mail wsbdc@uwyo.edu or write 


               1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922
, 
Laramie
, 
WY
 
82071-3922

.

The Southwest Mountain Biking Club has been working on getting the free Yellow Bikes back out again. These bikes are for the community to use at no cost. This is a partnership between the 
Green River Chamber, the Green River Parks & Recreation Department and the Green River Community Chest.  

Tom McIntosh, Jim Dunks and Brent Skorcz and members of the Sweetwater Mountain Biking Association have been working on getting donated bikes in tip top shape and painted BRIGHT yellow!

The City has some great bike trails and we want more people to be able to use them. If you happen to be walking the trails and want to ride; just pick up a bike at one of the racks located near the 
Clock Tower Downtown, at Expedition Island and at Stratton Myers. Ride around and the drop it back off at one of the other racks. This is a great way for travelers passing through town to enjoy them too. 
The Chamber gets requests about our bike trails…now they can experience them too! 

Don’t tell me you got nothin’ to do!  

 

• Spring is here!  With the weather changing take a jog, walk or bike ride along the Green Belt.

• Grab your towels, sunscreen and swimsuits and head down to the Splash Park at Evers Park .

• It the perfect time to get out and try Let It Fly’s Sporting Clay Course.

• Drive up to Seedskadee and see the trumpeter swans, ducks and eagles…you may even see a deer or moose.

• Start now on working on that summer tan.  Make your appointments today at Hot Styles Tanning and Salon.

• World Class fishing awaits at Flaming Gorge Reservoir, take the trailer and spend a weekend in Flaming Gorge Country.

• The Sweetwater County Museum is open daily from 10:00-6:00 daily.

• Mountain Bike Riding for Intermediate/Advance Riders every Thursday, 6:00 pm , Stratton Myers.  Beginners every Wednesday, 6:30 pm , Stratton Myers.

• Relax and acquire some culture, visit the Library’s and Fine Arts Center .

• Float or tube on the Green River , remember to always wear a life jacket.

• Get into the “swing” of things at the Rolling Green Golf Course or stop out there for lunch at the restaurant that is now open daily.

Committee Updates  

The Chamber various committees have been very busy, if you are interested in helping out in anyway please contact us.

Food Vendors Needed at River Festival INVITATION TO BID

Green River Chamber of Commerce will receive bids at 1155 W. Flaming Gorge Way , Green River , Wyoming 82935 for this year’s food concession for the 9^th Annual River Festival celebration to be held August 22, 2009 .  Bids will be accepted until June 30th, for the following:

Concessions for the River Festival August 22, 2009 , from 10 am to 5 pm at Expedition Island , the River Festival has about 3,000 participants during the day. Art on the Green activities will also be taking place at the same time in the Island Pavilion with their participants joining in our event.  

Bids should be based on a formula that allows the Green River Chamber of Commerce, to receive a percentage of the gross receipts, or a flat fee of not less than $100.00, in either case.

Following the close of bids at 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 2009 , the selection of the successful concessionaires will be determined and announced to the successful bidders.  Bids must be sent by U.S. Mail to the above address, or may be hand-delivered to the Green River Chamber of Commerce at 1155 W. Flaming Gorge Way Green River , Wyoming 82935 .  

All successful concessionaires will be required to contact Sweetwater County Health Services to insure they are in compliance with all food and health guidelines.

For more information please contact the Green River Chamber of Commerce at

307-875-5711 or e-mail to grchamber@sweetwaterhsa.com

Rocky Mountain Power Business Solutions Toolkit  

The right tool for the job

Use Rocky Mountain Power’s Business Solutions Toolkit to boost the bottom line

In these challenging economic times, Rocky Mountain Power is working to keep costs down and deliver the best possible value for customers’ energy dollars. To help business customers manage energy use and costs, the company is introducing its new Business Solutions Toolkit.

The online Toolkit provides customers with the resources and data they need to answer energy-related questions specific to their business. Toolkit sections include:

• Tools you can use - Calculate costs to upgrade lighting, motors and more. Evaluate operating performance, benchmark with other businesses within an industry and identify recommended options.

• Ask an expert -Get the answers quickly, and confidentially, from a dedicated team of engineers, technicians and researchers.

• eLibrary –Explore articles, links, tips and guides categorized by business segment as well as applicable technology or energy use that can help with buying decisions.

For additional info rmation on service, energy efficiency, renewable energy, reliability and other topics, current and past issues of Rocky Mountain Power’s energy connections newsletter are also part of the set of resources.

To access the Business Solutions Toolkit, please visit rockymtnpower.net/toolkit.

The Chambers Tourism Committee is again working on a providing a free Community Bike Program. The Community Bikes would be free to the public to use and will be placed at several locations through out town. We are partnering with the Green River Parks & Recreation Department and the Green River Community Chest to bring this project back again.

We know everyone has spring fever and is working on cleaning out your garages, sheds, and storage areas. And I bet you have a bike in there collecting dust! Well don’t throw it away…bring it to us! We will take bikes of any size…yes even tricycles!

Tom McIntosh, Jim Dunks and Brent Skorcz and members of the Sweetwater Mountain Biking Association will strip those bikes down and get them painted BRIGHT yellow! The group hopes to have these bikes out soon so the community can use them when the weather gets better; yes it is going to get better!

The City has some great bike trails and we want more people to be able to use them. If you happen to be walking the trails and want to ride; just pick up a bike at one the racks located near the Clock Tower Downtown, at Expedition Island and at Stratton Myers. Ride around and the drop it back off at one of the other racks. This is a great way for travelers passing through town to enjoy them too. The Chamber gets requests about our bike trails…now they can experience them too!

Newsletter Profile

Wells Fargo Bank in Green River would like to introduce the newest member of its team, Chris Mahoney, store manager. 

Mahoney was born and raised in Riverton, Wyo.  He is a graduate of the University of Wyoming where he earned a degree in business.  
He and his wife, Kara, a Rock Springs High School graduate, met while attending UW.  They have three children, Brianna, Carter, and Lauren.  
His interests include golf and church activity.

After college Mahoney started his career in Ft. Collins, Colo., with the National Association for the Self-Employed, where he became a district 
manager.  Later Mahoney relocated to Minneapolis to work for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. 

“Chris brings many great leadership qualities to our Green River team and a passion for serving our customers,” said Robert Saunders, Wells 
Fargo’s Community Banking president for the Rock Springs/Green River market.  “We’re pleased to have him on board and glad he chose to come 
back to Wyoming.”

“It’s good to be home,” said Mahoney.  “I am very excited to return to the Equality State and to have the opportunity to help our customers reach their 
financial goals.”

About Wells Fargo
In Wyoming, Wells Fargo team members serve customers in 21 communities through 30 retail banking stores, three Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 
stores and five Wells Fargo Financial stores.  Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets, 
providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 11,000 stores, over 12,000 ATMs and the internet 
(wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally. 

Information Distributed by Chamber  

May 2009 Year to Date

Relocation Packets                                          4             16
Vacation Packets                                              8            129
School Kids info                                              0             18
Convention Packets                                         0              44
Wyoming Pins                                                  0             100
City of Green River Pins                                 0                 0
High Desert Country Pins                               0              100
Gift Certificates                                              516         1943
Dollar Amount                          $17,684..00  $85,895.00

Brochure Racks                                                555        3231
Bulk Brochures                                                     0             0
Chamber Kiosk                                                 263         438
Walk ins                                                            520        1941
Web Site Hits                                                   1784      9079
E-Mails                                                             0           1197  

Sales Tax Disbursements–April*

Sweetwater County

               County                  2,285,462
               Green River          1,145,255
                Rock Springs        1,883,456  

Lodging Tax Sweetwater County

               County                         2,028
               Green River                 4,211
              Rock Springs               75,643  

Labor Force**

SW Co.  Employed             Apr. 2008                            23,403
                                           Mar. 2009                            23,155 
                                           Apr. 2009                            23,305 

               Unemployed        Apr. 2008                            519
                                          Mar. 2009                           1,141                                                                                          Apr. 2009                            1,098  

State       Employed             Apr. 2008                            281,797
                                           Mar. 2009                            273,706
                                           Apr. 2009                            274,846

               Unemployed        Apr. 2008                            8,111
                                           Mar. 2009                           15,256
                                           Apr. 2009                            13,692 

Housing as of  April

               Homes sold         

                              Green River          0
                              Rock Springs        3

               Residential Listings

                              Green River          84
                              Rock Springs       199

               Average Costs      $200,00-249,900  

*Wyoming Department of Revenue
** Wyoming Labor Force Trends

ERIC DOWDLE " GREEN RIVER WYOMING PAINTING" MEDIA INFO

Eric Dowdle is doing an Original Painting commissioned by the City of Green River/Arts council.Eric has established himself as one of the preeminent contemporary 
folk artists and his work is known across the United States as well as internationally.The Green River Original painting will be 29"x36". It will be completed on art 
quality Masonite in acrylic paint for durability and vibrancy of color.

The name of the painting is " Green River Wyoming ". The painting will communicate the historical significance and important events in the legacy of the community. 
Key landmarks and historical references will be included along with scenes of individuals and families from the community.

The city of Green River/Arts Council will receive the rights to use the image for any marketing efforts and promotional purposes.

Eric is allowing a never-been-done feature to this painting. Normally, after a painting is completed, Eric provides a service where a customer can be "personalized" 
into their own print. However, for this Green River painting, Eric is allowing people to be "Personalized" into the Original of the painting. In this way, all those who are 
"personalized" into the Green River painting will be included on every print, puzzle, Phone Book, Calendar, and all other Painting Image placement.

In order to determine where you would like to be in the painting, a pencil sketch of the original will be available at Bank of the West, Sweetwater County Library (Green River 
Branch), JLT Steakhouse, Krazy Moose Restaurant and at www.dowdlefolkart.com(see Events/Dates below). For additional Information about how to be "Personalized" into the 
painting, please visit our website at www.dowdlefolkart.com or call 801-768-2843.

Events/Dates surrounding the " Green River Wyoming " Painting

• Monday June 1st: Unveiling to see the Pencil Sketch outline of the Original Painting at select locations in Green River (and on the Web)

• Tuesday September 1st: Eric begins painting. Also, the deadline for people wanting to be "Personalized" into the Original Painting

• Friday and Saturday December 11th & 12th: Unveiling of the completed Painting at the Expedition Island Pavilion with Eric in attendance to discuss the painting 
  and his memories of Green River .

Possible points of discussion for Radio, Internet chat/blogging or Newspaper mail/email:

• What value, if any, does Art(song, paintings, media, etc) have when it's focused on a specific community?

• What people and events do you feel are significant to the history of Green River and should be considered for inclusion in the painting?

Eric will be available for phone interviews. Please call Ryan or Wendy at 801-768-2843 to schedule a specific time.


Thanks,
Ryan
Dowdle Folk Art
801-768-2843 or 801-979-7926  

Biking on the Green – June 6^th  

Join in on the fun June 6^th at Stratton Myers with a Poker Run and Barrel Race…all on bikes,,,the non-motorized kind. Events start at 10 am with a Poker Run on the Green Belt. Participants can buy a “hand” for $5 each the best five card poker hand will win with participants making seven stops along the Green Belt. The best three poker hands will get a split of the pot. After the Poker Run the Chamber will have hamburgers and hot dogs for sell starting at 11:30 am . Following a lunch break you can then enter in a barrel race with a unique twist again all on a mountain or street bike. Entry to the race will be $5 and the winners in 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd will again split the pot.  

The event is a partnership with the Sweetwater County Mountain Biking Club, Green River Chamber and the Green River Parks and Recreation Department. A portion of the entry fees will go toward the construction of the new pump park.  

Signups will be the day of the event, for more information contact the Chamber at 875-5711.

Clean Up and Green Up – Green River

Luke Weaver

The Nelson clan helping out! Amber, Nathan, Mike and Aaron Nelson.

Realtor's group pitches in, l-r Irene Shiner, Juanita Guthrie, Amy & Jason Baucum.

Big thanks to everyone who helped out on the 1^st Citywide Clean up effort.  

The Green River Chamber of Commerce partnered with the City of Green River and had about 90 folks turn out to help spruce up our community. 
All the volunteers received a free t-shirt; in fact we had to order more. If you came and helped out and didn’t receive a t-shirt they are now in 
and you can pick them up at the Chamber office.  

Thanks also to Main Street for cooking up the free hamburgers and hot dogs and also to Bryan Ragsdale for the free concert.

Thanks to the following sponsors:

Ace Hardware                             Arctic Circle
Buckaroos                                   China Gardens
Dominos                                       Don Pedro’s
Fairmont Supply                           Favorite Things
General Chemical                        Green River Futures
Green River Star                          The Groomers
Green River Main Street               JLT Steakhouse  
McDonalds                                  Pamida  
R & B Meats                               Riverside Nursery  
Radio Network                             Smiths
Solvay Chemical                           Sweetwater Trophies
Taco Times                                  Treasures  
Wal-Mart                                     & Bryan Ragsdale  

Sweetwater County Leadership Class Tours Industry  

The Sweetwater County Leadership Class is nearing the end of its 6 month course; participants took in a very comprehensive tour of Solvay Chemicals and then ended the day with on overview of Fracing from Haliburton. The Class has working on their project as well with most of them helping move the Young At Heart Senior Center to its new location. They will take a tour of industry sector on the east side of the county the last week of May and finish up with Recreation Day in June. 

l-r Jason Hein, Alyssa Krumholz , Bob Nugent, Sara Bracken,      Michelle Hostetler and Melinda Baas

Jason Hein at the controls of a bore miner.

Sweetwater County Leadership Class 2009

Did You Know??????
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $16,400
The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour:  61,000
Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
The first novel ever  written on a typewriter, Tom Sawyer.  

BRICKS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE

Help us build the new Visitors   Center by purchasing a brick. The Visitors Center will be located in the parking lot at west end of town   adjacent to Moran Overlook Park. The building will sit on the backside of the current parking lot overlooking the Palisades and     Tollgate— the perfect position to  attract tourists and serve the community.

          The bricks will be a lasting “Legacy”—showing the community and world your dedication and willingness to help build a enduring impression for years to come.   The “Great Wall of Fame” inside the building will be comprised of the “Premier Legacy Logo” bricks—your name or your company’s name will be on view to over 100’s of visitors a day! 

          For those of you who that want to help out but at smaller level have your name or your companies name on the Visitor’s Center “Walk  and Wall of Fame” outside. The bricks will be used to build a walking path and wall around the building.  

Premier Legacy Logo

          Have your name and business logo on a 12” x 12” inside the Visitors Center for only $1,000.00. Bricks will be prominently displayed in the main Visitors Center information area. Price includes logo, 2 lines of text 24 characters for all upper case including spaces and punctuation.

Business Logo Pavers

          $500 for 8” x 8” pavers available in sidewalk or wall, up to 2 lines of text and logo with a maximum of 20 characters per line for upper/lower case and 16 character for all upper case, including spaces and punctuations.

Business or Family Pavers

          $250 for 8” x 8” pavers available in sidewalk or wall, up to 3 lines of text with a maximum of 20 characters per line for upper/lower case and 16 characters for all upper case, including spaces and punctuations.

Business

          $100.00 for businesses, 4”x 8” pavers available in the sidewalk up to 3 lines of text maximum of 20 character-spaces per line for lower case and 16 characters for all upper case, including spaces and punctuation.

Individual

               $60.00 for individuals, 4”x 8” pavers available in the sidewalk up to 3 lines of text maximum of 20 character-spaces per line for lower case and 16 characters for all upper case, including spaces and punctuation.    

Thanks to those that have purchased bricks:

l-r Bob Saunders, Bonnie Bigolin, Joyce Saunders, Pete Rust, Deborah White, Randy Seltzer, Glen Bobnick,
Matt Moosman, Rita Thompson, Bill Thompson, Tom Axthelm, Terri Warren, Janet Hartford.