What is a Chamber of Commerce?

A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of the business community. It unites business and professional individuals and firms, creating a central agency that lends itself to community enhancement services.

The Chamber of Commerce organizes and directs the energies of those who believe that a community worth living in is a community worth improving.

The Chamber of Commerce Wyoming enables people to accomplish collectively what not one of them could do individually.

The major responsibility of the Chamber is the economic well-being of the communities it serves.

Mission

The mission is a description of an organization’s basic purpose.

The mission of the Goshen County Torrington WY Chamber of Commerce is to promote business vitality and quality of life in Goshen County through leadership, communication and education.

Vision

The vision is a preferred future description of Goshen County.

Our vision for Goshen County Wyoming is to nurture strong families through family-oriented activities and quality education, thus expanding equal opportunities for all residents.

Goshen County Chamber of Commerce History

Although not officially incorporated as a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce until June 17, 1946, the local Chamber first served the area in the 1930s. In the beginning the Chamber was basically just members of the Torrington Lions Club (mostly downtown Torrington businessmen) who were interested in business related community projects. Eventually this group seperated from the Lions Club and formed the Torrington Chamber. 

Some of the early projects included efforts to attract an airplane factory, a candy factory and a packing company to Goshen County. Promoting good will and cooperation between the rural and urban population of the county was very important for the early Chamber.

The Industrial Development Corporation of Torrington was incorporated in the early 1950s as the direct result of the efforts of the chambers' industrial committee. The IDCOT charter authorized the purchase, sale or lease of property, negotiated loans, built buildings and conducted other activities to encourage and promote industry in the area.

During the 1968 fiscal year the emphasis of the Chamber was on membership, public relations, agriculture and tourism,. Special projects included constructing a sign placed north of Wheatland attracting tourists to Fort Laramie and Torrington. Also, a real effort was made to involve more of the community in the Chamber. Quarterly meetings for the entire membership were started. 

The Chamber office at 350 West 21st Ave., Torrington, Wyo., was constructed on city park land during the 1968-69 fiscal year. The Chamber finally had a home of its own.

One of the busiest years was 1979. The Chamber's Traffic Committee was successful in getting the state highway department to study the traffic problems associated with increased rail traffic. The Chamber purchased the "Welcome to Torrrington" sign west of town and repaired the southside sign, as well as developed new brochures to advertise Torrington and the county. The Chamber also played an important role in promoting a gasohol plant, operated the Western Union telegram service, worked with the city council to enlarge the Torrington business district, and participated in the Silt Run hearings before the Department of Environmental Quality. 

In the early 1980s, the Chamber organized Goshen County Heritage Days, attracting an estimated 5,000 persons. The Chamber sponsored and promoted special seminars, public interest meetings and social activities. The Ambassadors Club was formed to promote Goshen County throughout the state and an industrial committee worked to attract industry and business to the area. Other interests included developing a long-term parking plan for downtown Torrington and developing Chamber interest in the county's smaller communities. 

Source: Torrington Telegram