When Wall Street collapsed last year, Main Streets across America endured the aftershocks. Powell businesses fared better than many in the country, yet the economic challenges and stresses still are very real.In an uncertain economic climate, the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce plays a crucial role for progress and promotion of the local economy. For Powell to remain viable, chamber leaders must fulfill those duties.The chamber currently is at a crossroads. Effective this week, five of the nine directors on the board will finish their terms. The term is ending for three directors, and two decided to leave the board. While it's a concern that five directors are needed at the same time, this also is an opportunity for new blood. New leaders will have an opportunity to build on established successes, learn from past mistakes and bring innovation to economic development.They also must work together to fill the void created when Dave Reetz left the helm of local economic development. For years, Reetz fostered the local economy's health in a position bankrolled by a private business, First National Bank and Trust. He retired last spring, and the position no longer exists since the acquisition of First National by an out-of-state corporation.The need still exists, and local efforts are underway to address it.The Powell Valley Economic Development Alliance is in the process of creating a strategic plan to evaluate the area's assets and potential for economic growth. With the financial help of the city of Powell, the Wyoming Business Council and Northwest College, the alliance invested $20,000 to hire the National Community Development Services, an Atlanta consulting firm. Leaders met last week to discuss the first phase of that plan. Eventually, a full-time director devoted to economic development may be hired.As new leaders step up to fill five vacancies on the board of directors, they certainly face challenges. Yet with the responsibility comes opportunity to steer the chamber in fresh directions while finding ways to keep Powell economically stable.

When Wall Street collapsed last year, Main Streets across America endured the aftershocks. Powell businesses fared better than many in the country, yet the economic challenges and stresses still are very real.

In an uncertain economic climate, the Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce plays a crucial role for progress and promotion of the local economy. For Powell to remain viable, chamber leaders must fulfill those duties.

The chamber currently is at a crossroads. Effective this week, five of the nine directors on the board will finish their terms.

The term is ending for three directors, and two decided to leave the board. While it's a concern that five directors are needed at the same time, this also is an opportunity for new blood. New leaders will have an opportunity to build on established successes, learn from past mistakes and bring innovation to economic development.

They also must work together to fill the void created when Dave Reetz left the helm of local economic development. For years, Reetz fostered the local economy's health in a position bankrolled by a private business, First National Bank and Trust. He retired last spring, and the position no longer exists since the acquisition of First National by an out-of-state corporation.

The need still exists, and local efforts are underway to address it.

The Powell Valley Economic Development Alliance is in the process of creating a strategic plan to evaluate the area's assets and potential for economic growth. With the financial help of the city of Powell, the Wyoming Business Council and Northwest College, the alliance invested $20,000 to hire the National Community Development Services, an Atlanta consulting firm. Leaders met last week to discuss the first phase of that plan. Eventually, a full-time director devoted to economic development may be hired.

As new leaders step up to fill five vacancies on the board of directors, they certainly face challenges. Yet with the responsibility comes opportunity to steer the chamber in fresh directions while finding ways to keep Powell economically stable.