Regulatory Environment Important For All of Us! 

The Chamber recently finished our annual Business Principles. This document is what we use as a guide to help us decide what issues are important for the chamber to look at. Although there is not enough room in a short article to outline all of our positions, I do think it is important for our members to know why we constantly look at the regulatory environment.

Wyoming is a great place to live, work, and do business but we do have our challenges. Wyoming is ranked 34th to 48th for regulatory environment. The ranking, which is done by magazines such as Forbes, takes into account the state and local regulatory environment and its impact on the costs of doing business. Unfortunately, regulatory costs are incurred disproportionately to small business with firms under 20 employees paying 42% higher costs than larger businesses.

Certainly, any community or state that is going to prosper must have balanced regulations that take into consideration public safety, cost of the business to governmental entities, environmental impacts, and public quality of life. The chamber is working not to get rid of all regulations but rather to encourage a regulatory environment that allows business to be prosperous while still maintaining a great quality of life.

In coming weeks, the chamber will be meeting with our elected officials to discuss some of these issues. The chamber's 2012 Business principles "are based on the tenant that business and its prosperity are the foundation of our country and that entrepreneurialism fosters the American Dream. Capitalism and free enterprise are the bedrock of a secure economy. A strong nation, state, and community exist through a strong military, a tax policy that is not discriminative, an infrastructure - physical and social - that meets the local community needs for the present and the future, an education system that allows personal advancement and achievement, and the availability and access to health care." Focusing on our businesses, our families, and our community is important to all of us.

We are proud of our businesses in Cheyenne and we are committed to making sure that our community, our county, our state, and our nation are the best that they can be.

Article by: Dale Steenbergen

President and CEO

Col. Christopher Coffelt speaks at the Sepetmber MAC Luncheon 

On September 16th, at the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee luncheon, Col. Chris "Boots" Coffelt, 90th Missile Wing Commander, gave an update on the status of F.E. Warren to the MAC Committee members. He recently was able to have a forum with Senator Enzi, Senator Barrasso, and Congressman Lummis to discuss his concerns and perceptions about how the current debt and budget crisis will affect our military. Col. Coffelt is aware that the 90th Missile Wing will not be unaffected, but at the same time would like to remind our community that the mission at F.E. Warren is not just a local one. The USAF base in Cheyenne is a strategic player in our country's international defense plan and it is important to remember this when taking budget cuts into account. Coffelt filled us in on many of the systems reliability tests that go on at F.E. Warren to ensure that our weapons here maintain constant dependable combat strike capability. According to the Colonel, our base is a strong deterrent to outside enemies, and must remain so in order to keep our nation out of harm's way. The men and women who work here are an on-alert force and must remain structured in this way so that we do not fall short in a time of crisis. Fiscal realities must come into play and there has to be a limitation on our military. However, we do not need to go over the top when we are looking at cuts.

If you are interested in supporting the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, or in participating in any of our MAC events, please contact the Chamber!

Military Affairs BBQ

This past Saturday, at the Indian Village in CFD park, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee held their annual MAC BBQ. The BBQ was a great success and was attended by both MAC committee members and the men and women of Cheyenne's military community. The event included great food, live music, and a series of lively games that were enjoyed by all.

If you are interested in supporting Cheyenne's military through involvment in the Chamber MAC committee, please contact us!

Don't miss the October Chamber Luncheon on Education in Laramie County! Register now by clicking the icon below!

We are seeking the best of the best to do 15 minute business related presentations at the Business to Business Expo on November 8th 2011

The Chamber of Commerce is creating a web based business resource center that has 15 minute mini seminars. The seminars will then be available online and on kiosks around the community.

We are looking for professionals in: Business Law, Accounting, Insurance, Marketing, Permitting and licensing and many others. If you are selected to teach one of these mini-seminars your business will receive exposure in several publications, at chamber events, and in online materials.

Give back to your community by helping other businesses succeed. Participate in this worthwhile project by contacting Dale Steenbergen at 638-3388 or dales@cheyennechamber.org. Make sure to have in mind what topic you would be most qualified to present about.

Save the Date for the Annual Boo-tification Ball!

Christmas Parade Poinsetia & Ornament Sale!

Red Carpet Opening

The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Red Carpet Committee hosts Red Carpet Openings to welcome new businesses to the Chamber.

Yesterday morning, we are hosted a Red Carpet for Brickey Construction in the Chamber board room.

Steve Louden, Sales Rep