Sweetwater Economic Development Association

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2007-2008 Highlights

This past year the Sweetwater Economic Development Association designed and implemented programs to assist the local communities in Sweetwater County build  capacity to accommodate the growth that continued due to increased energy development in the region. Essential elements in that effort include business retention and expansion of the existing businesses through workforce recruitment and development.  Housing and daycare are key to that success.  Infrastructure upgrades and expansion were essential in providing the environment for new business and industrial recruitment and development also.

Critical to that effort is the recruitment and development of workforce.  SWEDA actively recruited technical and industrial skilled employees  at regional career fairs and the National FabTech and American Welding Show.  SWEDA placed print advertising in a variety of Midwestern communities that were impacted by Ford Motor plant closures, promoting the employment opportunities in Sweetwater County.  SWEDA also helped develop and implement a local high school initiate, Career Ladders, to inform local high school students  of the employment and career opportunities in this part of the state.

SWEDA worked closely with thirteen housing developers to establish the need for housing, find the right location, and determine the product to meet that need.  New housing inventory is currently under construction ranging from apartments to entry level housing and high end homes.

SWEDA assisted local communities build and expand infrastructure through the preparation of grants.  SWEDA wrote a $200,000 Community Enhancement grant for the City of Green River to construct a new visitors center which was approved.  SWEDA wrote a successful Community Development grant for the Town of Superior to replace old sewer lines.  SWEDA wrote a successful Community Development Block Grant for Planning for the City of Green River which will allow them to contract to have a brand and action plan development for the downtown.  SWEDA also assisted twelve local businesses with workforce training by preparing grant applications for Workforce Training Funds.

SWEDA continued to work with developers looking to expand to the area.  The organization met personally with twenty six different developers  with projects ranging from warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, lodging properties and various retail chains.    SWEDA prepared six proposals for out of state interests.   SWEDA also partnered with the Wyoming Business Council’s recruitment efforts at the National Manufacturers Week in Chicago.

Wyoming, and Sweetwater County, continued to garner regional and national media coverage and was featured in stories on  Wyoming Public Radio and National Public Radio.   

SWEDA Director Pat Robbins was interviewed for CNBC  to discuss the growth in the area. 

             The end of the fiscal year saw the retirement of the Wyoming Business Councils Regional Director, Ray Sarcletti.  SWEDA Director Pat Robbins was chosen as his replacement and tendered her resignation.  SWEDA’s Executive Committee has begin the process to find a new Director and should have someone on board by August.

Outgoing Board President’s Message   

                              Here we are at that time of year again and once again SWEDA has had a banner year.  I know it may seem that we say this every year, but the fact of the matter is that with diligent and dedicated employees like Pat and Dorothy great accomplishments become common place.

I would like to congratulate the incoming Board President Craig Nelson. I’m confident that Craig will do an excellent job leading the organization.

I would also like to thank the Board for allowing me to serve as President these past 4 years.  It has been a fantastic experience that I would never have had if I hadn’t been associated with SWEDA.  However, you can’t get rid of me that easily as I will continue to serve as a member of the Executive Board.

By now you all probably have heard of the resignation of our Director and her move to the Wyoming Business Council.  It will be very hard, if not impossible to replace Pat.  Luckily she will be just across the hall and I’m sure that she will continue to be an asset to SWEDA.

I would like to congratulate Pat on her new adventure and thank her for a job well done for our organization.  It has been a real pleasure to work with such a remarkable individual.

Again thank you.

Kent Porenta

Incoming Board President’s Message

As your incoming president for SWEDA, I look forward to this next year and working with our Board of Directors as well as the rest of our membership.  I would first like to thank our outgoing president Kent Porenta and his board for their leadership over the past couple of years. Kent, the board and staff have led SWEDA and Sweetwater County communities through some growing pains over the last year and should be commended for all their efforts.

As most of you already know by now Pat Robbins has accepted a position with the Wyoming Business Council as the South Central Regional Director covering Sweetwater and Carbon counties. We all wish Pat the best in her new position and look forward to working with her in her new capacity. Pat has been a very valuable asset to the board and communities in Sweetwater County. Pat is well respected through out the state for her professionalism and knowledge of her industry of economic development. The Wyoming Business Council has given Pat permission to work closely with SWEDA to make sure the transition over the next few months is as transparent as possible for the organization and Sweetwater County communities.

SWEDA has put together a search committee for a new director and hope to start interviews within the next few weeks for the director position. We have already received a few resumes for the position and are in hopes of getting more for this challenging position.

Sincerely,

Craig Nelson, Incoming President

 2007-2008 Sweetwater County Leadership Institute Class At Black Butte Coal Company

Committee Accomplishments

Retention and Recruitment , Co-Chairs Jim Anselmi and Janet Hartford

The committee focused strongly on business retention and continued to provide grant assistance to local businesses.  They continued the local radio media campaign to promote the efforts.  The committee identified trade shows for SWEDA to attend for business recruitment. 

Workforce Recruitment and Development, Co-Chairs Regina Clark and Dave Hanks

Utilizing information from local industries the committee implemented a new workforce recruitment effort in communities that were impacted by Ford Motor plant closures  such as Buffalo, New York, Chicago, Illinois, Minneapolis, Minnesota as well as regional college career fairs.

Strategic Positioning, Co-Chairs George Lemich and Craig Nelson

The committee was formed to respond in a timely fashion to issues, threats, and opportunities that arise in the county .  The Committee actively supported and advocated for projects that would help grow the economy.

Finance– Executive Board

The committee set budgetary needs and priorities and established the budget for the upcoming year.

Infrastructure, Chair Don Hartley

The committee identified areas of growth and issues and actively participated in the efforts to study the feasibility of a secondary road between Green River and Rock Springs.