Start the New Year Strong with the Sheridan County Chamber

Editor’s note: This column originally appeared in the 1/10/26 edition of The Sheridan Press.

The New Year is a great time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the potential of the future.

I can’t help but reflect every New Year’s Eve on the past year, looking at how the Chamber has grown and what opportunities lie ahead.

The past year was one of transition for the Chamber. We welcomed a new CEO and three new staff members and saw the retirement of a long-standing employee, Karen Myers. While we were sad to see her retire after nearly 13 years, we are also elated that she will remain with the Chamber in her financial role as a contract employee while enjoying much more time with her adorable grandkids!

We also say goodbye to three board members – Jen Crouse and Dave Schwend, who termed out last year after eight years of service, as well as Butch Dillon, who termed out after six years of service. Each has been instrumental in guiding the Chamber through some of the challenges we’ve experienced, and we will miss them greatly. The commitment from these upstanding business professionals has been a driving force for our Chamber.

While change can be scary and sad sometimes, it can also be exciting. Last year, we were able to see the tremendously positive results of our website upgrade, launch a robust schedule for our blog articles, hold a new workforce training and much more.

Last year was also a year for looking ahead. Our board of directors held a strategic planning session and focused on where they want to see the Chamber to go in the next three years. This has been an exciting year, and, above everything, we remain committed to being the number one resource for our business community.

Interested in learning more about what the Chamber has been working on in the last year? We invite you to join us for our annual membership meeting on Jan. 14. We’ll share what the Chamber has done in 2025 and where we are headed. For details and to register, visit sheridanwyomingchamber.org or call the office at 672-2485.

Our Government Affairs Committee will host the annual Eggs & Issues Pre-Legislative Session Breakfast on Jan. 20. This is your chance to hear from our local legislative delegation about what their priorities are for the upcoming session and what bills will be coming before the legislature. This is a great way to kick off the legislative session and keep not only yourself, but also your business, informed on what will be affecting Sheridan County. 

So, if you don’t have a New Years Resolution or a goal for 2026, consider starting the year with the Chamber and being an active part of the business community.

We believe bringing businesses together is one of the most powerful things we can do to keep our community thriving. As we venture into 2026, we will continue to bring excellent programming and events, while building an even stronger business community. Let’s come together and strengthen our economy while supporting our neighbors and friends for 2026.