Sheridan County Chamber outlines outreach, events and nearly $193,000 in Chamber Bucks this year

Teresa Dedmore, CEO of the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, updated the City Council on the chamber’s outreach and programs, telling councilors the organization continues to act as a front door for local business and tourism. Dedmore said the chamber has distributed roughly 8,500 printed community directories this year and about 1,900 welcome bags; it also revamped its website, driving a jump in directory visits and job‑board views.

Dedmore highlighted the chamber’s signature events and programs: the Ignite conference (about 185 attendees in the most recent year), manufacturing‑month tours that engaged 216 children, ongoing monthly networking events that together drew roughly 1,700 attendees, and legislative forums to connect businesses with state representatives. She thanked community partners and volunteers — the chamber reported roughly 230 volunteers — and praised collaborative work with the Economic Development Task Force, Travel & Tourism, and the Downtown Sheridan Association to avoid duplication and share resources.

On the Chamber Bucks program, Dedmore said the chamber has issued about $192,793 so far in 2025 and has distributed approximately $1,000,000 in Chamber Bucks over the last five years; the vouchers are principally purchased by community members and redeemed at participating local businesses.

Aaron Sokko, the chamber’s board president, said a priority for the next strategic cycle is deeper engagement of younger business owners (roughly ages 20–39) to help maintain workforce and entrepreneurial growth.

Why it matters: The chamber’s outreach and promotional programs feed local economic activity, job postings, and visitor engagement — measures that council members said help explain sales‑tax and direct‑distribution trends.