◆ Communities gather in Cokeville for first discussion.
Lincoln County’s elected officials and administrators met in Cokeville March 6 to start the process of developing a county wide economic development program that will be designed according to the needs of the individual communities.
County commissioners called on Amber Power, community leadership and engagement manager with the Wyoming Business Council to assist in the process.
As the state economic development agency, the Wyoming Business Council, leads economic growth in order to build resilient communities and create opportunities for people to thrive.
“I was excited to be invited to come to talk with several of the Lincoln County towns, basically regarding their economic development and find a collaborative spirit to help the entire county,” she said in an interview with SVI Media.
She outlined a process for the communities to follow as part of her opening comments. “There has to be some definite next steps,” Power emphasized.
The steps would include an action based planning process. “Planning is one thing, but action is the most important as we understand the goal of economic development for Lincoln County,” she said. “What are the priorities, what are the focuses that are consistent and wide reaching for all of the communities?”
She continued, quizzing, “Are there certain priorities that matter to everybody that this particular organization can work on?” Power advised a plan could include all of the county’s communities. “When we talk about that — it is Lincoln County Economic Development,” she said. “All of the communities are represented on this board, so everyone will have an impact on what those priorities might be. “ Power said some communities may be seeking additional business while others may want to bolster existing business.
“If they are focusing on economic development, if that be good paying jobs with new businesses or helping local businesses expand and do better and more things in ways that make sense for those communities, that will be part of the planning. She concluded, “What are those priorities? How can this body help support that in ways that matter.”
The county and community representatives will continue to meet.
