Recognizing the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce

Floor Speech

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Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I rise today to celebrate 120 years of continued community service by the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce of Wyoming.

For 120 years, our city has grown and flourished, due in many ways to the efforts of the Casper Area Chamber. The chamber aims to provide organizational structure to build a better Natrona County and to improve opportunities for all businesses in the community. The chamber was founded in 1903 as the Casper Industrial Association by Alfred James Mokler, then publisher of the Natrona County Tribune. A small number of businesses banded together to create the association. Some of their early goals were to pave the streets, install a water and sewer system, and to construct public parks, a courthouse, a city hall, a Federal building, and a railway. All of these goals were realized. Today, the chamber has over 600 members and continues to grow each year. The mission now is the same as it was 120 years ago, to actively create business opportunities by ``connecting, informing, leveraging, and collaborating with their members.''

After the first World War, the Casper Industrial Association reorganized and became the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce. At that time, just over 11,000 people were living in Casper and 14,000 in Natrona County. During the 1930s, the chamber was a key player in the construction of a north-to-south rail line from Montana to Colorado by the Wyoming-Montana Railroad Company. The chamber also ensured that freight rates were competitive. This allowed local industry to bring in new services and hire competitively. During the 1960s, the chamber worked to make Casper the convention center of Wyoming. They held over 100 conventions, attracting over 20,000 visitors.

Progress continued into the 1980s when the chamber designed the Leadership Casper program, organized legislative luncheons, and created professional networking opportunities. During the 2000s, the chamber focused on developing the west side of Casper. The first ``Shop Local'' campaign was established. In 2020, the chamber was instrumental in connecting businesses with the Federal funding they needed to stay open through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Casper Area Chamber of Commerce is part of a long and rich local history. It was instrumental in moving Natrona County forward. Their positive influence over the past 120 years can be seen today in our thriving community.

The Casper Area Chamber of Commerce is the foundation on which the economy of Casper is built. They work hard to maintain a prosperous business environment. This ensures the longevity of tourism, industry, and small businesses.

In Wyoming, we value community, leadership, and service. The Casper Area Chamber of Commerce puts these values into practice. As board chair, Sabrina Kemper said, ``Without commerce, our community cannot thrive.''

Today, the Chamber Staff and Board of Directors include:

Staff

Tina Hoebelheinrich, Executive Director

Sabrina Kemper, Board Chairman

Katie Schultz, Past-Chairman

Phillip Rael, Board Member

Gena Jensen, Chairman-Elect

Amanda Disney, Treasurer

Jereca Lutz, VP of Development

Kim Coleman, VP of Marketing and Communication

Darcie Holscher, VP of Special Events

Officers

Ken White

Nikki Hawley

Robert Ratliff

Tom McCarthy

Bryant Hall

Michael Morrissey

Paul Nash

Sonya Gruner

It is an honor for me to rise in recognition of this significant milestone for the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce of Wyoming. The impact and opportunities the chamber has created for Casper businesses is incredible. Bobbi joins me in extending our congratulations to the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce for 120 years of community service.

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