News – Sheridan Media
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A large crowd of Clearmont area residents attended the March 18 Coffee at Town Hall with Brandi Harlow, Northeast Regional Director of the Wyoming Business Council.
Harlow is from Wright, Wyoming, and she has worked in economic development for a ‘couple of decades,’ as she said.
She said they work closely with Clearmont Mayor Chris Schock, chatting about once a month, looking at trends and gathering data. She talked about when the Interstate 90 went around Clearmont, the population dropped, and it boomed during the methane boom, but when that ended the population declined again.
The other thing they identified was re-opening the convenience store.
“I guess we needed to discuss how we can get that re-opened. If we find someone to buy it, that would be the best option, but we need commitment from the community that they would use it.”
Karen Carvalho, Clearmont resident, talked about some research she had done on the store, and she will work out a business plan for the store, but she feels she would possibly like to do a cooperative rather than an outright buy.
Carvalho added that there is a lot of potential, but she needed to know how the cash flow is during the winter months, not just during the summer months when there is more travel through the town.
Also discussed was the work force in Clearmont, and finding people to work at the store.
Schock asked about grants, and Harlow, and she said there were some available for planning, professional services and marketing, but grants were not available to purchase the store. There aren’t really grants for starting a business, Harlow added.
One attendee asked about finding outside investors for the store coop, but Harlow felt that outside investors would probably be difficult. She felt that local investors would be best.
Jim Fennema added this comment about what investors look at when wanting to invest in a business in Clearmont.
He added that the entire area around Clearmont had to be on board to support the store and the town of Clearmont.
Mayor Schock added that plans are being made to bring more housing into Clearmont, hopefully this fall.
Also attending the event were county commissioners Michael Arzy and Holly Jennings, and Representative Marilyn Connolly.
After the coffee hour, the Clearmont Town Hall closed and will remain closed through Monday March 23 and will reopen Tuesday March 24, at 8 a.m. Normal hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 to 4.
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Last modified: March 20, 2026