WOW WHAT A YEAR!

Just over a year ago all this started. The organized movement to improve the business climate in and around the Pine Haven area began with a series of meetings of the Business Owners. The original intention of this group was to form an organization that could promote business, draw attention to our community,and attract tourism. The Pine Haven Chamber of Commerce, already a robust community social group, joined in our cause and we were off and running.

The Chamber's goal was to begin a marketing campaign. This goal would be approached in three steps:

Step one was getting our local area residents to shop at home. We sent out a questionnaire asking how the businesses could better serve the community. The response was fantastic and many new ideas were shared.

Step two was attracting tourism. Travel guides were contacted and we informed them of the community and its activities. The website was redesigned pinehavenchamber.org, which was linked to all Chamber business members as well as Wyomingtourism.org and many more travel information sites.

Step three was marketing to the surrounding area. The Chamber, in partnership with the town EDC Board, bought a booth at a trade fair in Gillette. Materials about Pine Haven, gifts and narratives were provided throughout the two days on what Pine Haven has to offer as a community. The feedback from the people at the fair reiterated something already known-- WHERE IS PINE HAVEN? It was absolutely amazing that people who have lived in Gillette for 10 years had no clue of the location of Pine Haven. With this in mind, we updated and improved the areas highway signs. A couple of Chamber volunteers went to Cheyenne and met with the State Sign Engineers, and with their diligence, over the course of several months, the State changed 13 signs all free of charge leading to Pine Haven.

The Chamber, with the support of the town government, financed new directional interstate advertising signs for businesses. A billboard was rented on Interstate 90 advertising the Pine Haven community and two new billboards were erected near the intersection of Hwy 14 and 113. The last billboard project was to advertise in Gillette on Hwy 59, partially funded by the local businesses.

All this was wonderful, but everything good comes at a cost, so we turned to our Members and were met by an overwhelming amount of support. Each Member was asked to donate $250.00 toward the sign fund and soon we were in the black with reserves to make it to the next fiscal year. We began to work on other ways of funding. First, by writing for locally available grants, than by selecting fundraisers that would bring people into the community. The focus was on four different events. In June ,we hosted a Trade Fair and Classic Car Show. Participation was marginal, however the event raised some money and we brought people to town so it was a success. Next, we hosted a golf tournament in July. Once again the members came through with sponsorships that made this event a winner. The Keyhole Country Club was wonderful and helped to make this event fun, exciting, and successful. Our main fundraiser was the Rhythm and Ribs outdoor concert held the first of August. Wow! what an event. We had a famous local artist as our headliner, with three other great performances by regional musicians. Our members and non-members alike shared in the success of this event. And I would say this was the greatest event to ever be held in Pine Haven. Our last fundraiser was a gun raffle, also very successful with almost 400 tickets sold. The year was capped off with an appreciation celebration for all members, volunteers, and the entire town of Pine Haven, cosponsored with the Town of Pine Haven, The Beautification Alliance, Royal Neighbors, The Pine Haven Fire Auxiliary, and The Keyhole Fishing Association.

Meanwhile we were helping to meet the social needs of our local area by providing scholarships to graduating seniors, providing daffodils for the shut ins, helping to clean up the roads into Pine Haven and many other worthy activities to make the community great.

Now a new year is upon us. As I look forward many of the original goals have been accomplished and the signs are up. We have helped create a work together attitude in the community. The businesses seem to be doing better, even though they are experiencing bad economic times. Pine Haven is on the map.

This doesn’t mean our job is over, but that it has only began. The Chamber can not proceed without your involvement. We want and need each and every member from last year and any new member we can convince to join. The Pine Haven Chamber has so much to offer whether your business needs exposure, advertising, networking, or you want involvement with the fun social activities. The Chamber offers something for everyone. Please attend the Chamber membership drive this spring on Friday, April 30, at R Place Bar and Grill in Pine Haven, and see what the Chamber can do for you.

Thank you for all of your support.

Bob Suchor,
President Pine Haven Chamber Of Commerce