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Our View: Economic Development

The decision by the Cheyenne City Council to pitch in as much as $500,000 toward local economic development over the next five years makes an important statement: That this city's elected officials are focused on bringing new industry into southeast Wyoming and on trying to keep young people and young families here.

And even though Cheyenne didn’t land the Owens-Illinois bottling plant, this city did all that it should have – and more. Now it must move forward in its efforts to land businesses willing to relocate or expand in the Rocky Mountain region.

There’s nothing wrong with new restaurants and retail shops that pound their stakes into the Cheyenne marketplace. But what this city needs to complement the retail sector is firms with good-paying jobs.

Whether it is another Owens-Illinois-type business or something in line with Lowe’s distribution warehouse, Grobet, Sierra Trading Post or others in the Cheyenne Business Parkway, this community is getting closer in landing an industry-based business.

It will take some leadership – and money. And the City Council displayed just that on Monday when it voted to give as much as $500,000 toward the economic development effort.

City officials had talked about giving $300,000, but that changed Monday night. I t was Councilman Tom Segrave who said the council needs to take a leadership role in bringing jobs here. Bully for you, Tom.

Under the plan, the city will spend up to $100,000 per year over the next five years on attracting industry. The money will come in handy as Progress and Prosperity II looks to raise money for a new, business-ready industrial park in the area. Indeed, it was the lack of that facility which may have cost Cheyenne the bottling plant to Windsor, Colo.

While the City Council has embraced the idea that economic development is key to the future of the Laramie County community – Cheyenne, Albin, Burns, Carpenter, Pine Bluffs and rural areas – others need to help with this important effort.

Our hope is that the Laramie County Commission will see the importance of economic development and provide additional funds. There has been some talk from the commissioners of pitching in $200,000 to $300,000, but nothing has been set in stone. It is time to do just that.

The County Commission is an equal and important part of improving the economy in southeast Wyoming. Not only do the communities mentioned above sit in Laramie County, but county government itself is sure to benefit if and when new businesses are located in any community or in the rural parts in the county.

The City Council has made a bold statement by putting up $500,000 toward economic development. They are saying that they can't just cry about the lack of jobs; they have to do something about it. Now it's time for the county commissioners to send the same message.

If this community is going to continue on the road toward progress and prosperity, it needs financial help and leadership. The City Council is providing both.

Are others in the community up to the challenge? We hope so.

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