Investing economically

Last year, Yvonne Johnson was hired as the executive director of the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC). Since then, she has traveled around the county visiting as many municipalities as possible.

On August 17, Johnson made her first appearance before the Saratoga Town Council. Her visit came just days before the CCEDC’s Black Ties & Boots event held at the Platte Valley Community Center in Saratoga. For the past three fiscal years, the contribution to the CCEDC has been questioned-primarily by Councilmember Jon Nelson-but it wasn’t until the current fiscal year the municipality did not budget the expense.

The Town of Saratoga is the only municipality which is not a member of the economic development corporation.

“I’ve met with (Mayor) Creed (James) a few times on a one-on-one (basis) to (give) an explanation about what is going on with economic development,” said Johnson. “Apparently you have some questions about your investment to our organization.”

Since joining the CCEDC in 1983, the Town of Saratoga had paid $5,000 annually. This annual investment, according to Johnson, was based upon a formula involving Saratoga’s population. Johnson informed the council, however, she had received approval from her board of directors to lower the Town of Saratoga’s annual investment to $500 annually.

“I’ve had reservations about our contribution prior to you coming back and taking over that role. I think I’ve stated in previous meetings when it’s come up that … I think you’re doing a great job and you’re heading things in the right direction,” said Nelson. “My reservation is and has always been that I don’t know that this community particularly sees a direct benefit from the activities that you guys are primarily focused on.”

Johnson told Nelson the Town of Saratoga was not alone in their concern, as she had heard similar concerns expressed by other municipalities in the county.

“I took over as director the 1st of August, one year ago, and I’ve travelled 10,570 miles in this one year. With that is really getting to know what is going on at each municipality,” Johnson said. “Currently, I’m travelling the county and speaking with the mayors at each municipality one-on-one. Right now, I’ve visited with five mayors so far; what is the big, hot topic? Housing and employment. That’s huge right now and you probably all know that.”

Housing would become a point of discussion later in the meeting as the Town of Saratoga continues to search for rentals for potential new police officers.

In regards to Nelson’s comment about Saratoga not seeing a direct benefit from the CCEDC, Johnson told the governing body she was in contact with five different businesses interested in starting in Saratoga. Stating she couldn’t go into much detail, due to confidentiality agreements, she did clarify the businesses were not national chains but small business start-ups.

“Once that business owner or that corporation that is coming in make those public announcements, then I can freely come in, have a council meeting, explain everything that is going on with this project,” said Johnson.

While Nelson was focused on what benefits the Town of Saratoga received from the CCEDC, Councilmember Ron Hutchins asked Johnson what services the economic development corporation provided businesses. The executive director stated many people initially approached the CCEDC with the misconception they were a lending entity. She clarified her organization’s focus was providing resources to new businesses such as the Wyoming Small Business Development Center.

“If you wanted to start a business, the first thing I’m going to ask is about your business plan. A lot of people don’t even have that,” said Johnson. “They think that it’s very easy just to start up a business.”

While the CCEDC does not give loans to starting businesses, Johnson clarified she would or could request funding from her board of directors. However, the same confidentiality agreements which kept her from telling the Saratoga Town Council what businesses were interested in Saratoga kept her from discussing those same businesses with her board.

Johnson added there was no clear definition of what economic development was and it could vary from person-to-person, which could make her role at the CCEDC difficult. Brandy Wallace, who formally represented the Town of Saratoga on the CCEDC and currently represents RNB State Bank, supported Johnson’s statement by informing the council she was unsure of what her role on the board entailed.

“My opinion of economic development is to keep the businesses we have, succession for the businesses that we have. Let’s just take an example that I know of, like Rasmussen’s. Where are they going to go? When they decide to retire, who’s going to take that business over? Same with some of the businesses in here,” said Wallace. “I, from my standpoint on the board, really want to promote succession planning in keeping the businesses we have and then trying to grow those businesses more than just the fairy tale of bringing any huge industry in here. I don’t think it’s that feasible, I think it’s a pipe dream a little bit. If it happens, great, but how are you going to do that? How are you going to have the infrastructure in place? The housing?”

Wallace voiced her support for Johnson as executive director of the CCEDC, stating she believed the organization was on “a better path” and credited Johnson for opening discussion between the 11 different communities in Carbon County.

The council, however, did not appear ready to reverse its decision of not contributing to the organization. Nelson, using Johson’s term of “investment”, stated he did not believe the Town of Saratoga had seen a benefit from their annual contribution to the CCEDC. Hutchins, meanwhile, stated he wanted to do more research before making a decision.

“I respect that and I think, going forward, is really making an effort to be in your presence and let you know what is going on,” said Johnson. “Not just here but also around the county and being that liaison and that communicator because that’s what I’ve been doing. It’s been so exciting.”

The next meeting of the Saratoga Town Council will be at 6 p.m. on September 7 at Saratoga Town Hall.