Citing a need to have more resources at its disposal, the Sweetwater Economic Development Coalition wants to increase contributions from the county and the two cities.
Currently the organization annually receives $30,000 from the both the Green River and Rock Springs Councils and the Sweetwater County Commissioners. The group is asking for an increase to $70,000 annually.
Eric Bingham, the county’s land use director, said the organization receives $90,000 a year, but has $95,000 in expenses, with the county paying for the additional $5,000. Bingham said the additional funding would be used to help promote the county through digital marketing and increased attendance to trade shows. He said one of the most promising leads SEDC is working on came through the Wyoming Business Council’s attendance at a trade show. However, Bingham also said the WBC doesn’t promote single entities and focuses on the state as a whole, which underscores a need for better attendance by SEDC at those trade shows.
Bingham also said both the commissioners and representatives from the Rock Springs Council have voiced support for increasing contributions to SEDC.
The coalition has operated out of the Sweetwater County Courthouse since 2019 when the county absorbed the organization’s economic development specialist from the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce and an advisory board was formed to help guide the organization. The board is made up of several county leaders, including Green River City Administrator Reed Clevenger as its current vice-chairman, Commissioner Lauren Schoenfeld as its secretary, Rock Springs Mayor Tim Kaumo, Western Wyoming Community College President Kim Dale and Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism Director Jenissa Meredith as members.
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