GCEDC hosts annual meeting

Crystal R. Albers
Posted 10/31/18

More than 200 people gathered at 21st & Main Thursday for the annual Goshen County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) meeting to celebrate 31 years of success.

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GCEDC hosts annual meeting

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TORRINGTON – More than 200 people gathered at 21st & Main Thursday for the annual Goshen County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) meeting to celebrate 31 years of success.

Business items included electing two directors to the board for three-year terms – Scott Prusia of Ag Cowboy Finance and Colby Ochsner of J&J Ochsner Livestock – and Trenda Weisshaar’s Report of Financial Condition, accounting for $4,124,470 collected through the 1/4-cent economic development sales tax, which has leveraged $2,293,010 in matching grants, bringing more than $5.8 million in economic growth to the county. 

Executive Director and CEO Ashley Harpstreith also presented a video (https://youtu.be/45YH_lbCuJ4) highlighting the past year’s accomplishments, such as leveraging $1.2 million in New Market Tax Credits for the Cobblestone Hotel, securing a $3-million grant for the $7-million, 23,980 square-foot, 30-unit assisted living facility; and being approved for a $365,567 grant for the proposed new Lingle Community Center. 

Also on the agenda were Goshen County Chamber of Commerce awards and special recognitions, as detailed in a GCEDC press release:

n Big Chief Award: This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies community leadership through business and community service. 

“Mike McNamee has been a huge contributor to our community and has spent countless hours helping many causes in our community, including the Goshen County Fair board, auctioneer and emcee for the fair Rubber Check Race, ranch rodeos, calcuttas, Junior Livestock Sale, Eastern Wyoming College golf tournament, hospital foundation fundraiser, many others. He helps shape the youth in our community and is out there every day making our community a brighter place to live.”

n Big Land, Limitless Pioneering – Business of the Year Award: This award recognizes any business that has shown limitless growth and community support throughout the year. “

Heartland Embroidery is, without doubt, one of the most active retail outlets in Goshen County. Owners, Deb and Allen, support the State of Wyoming as an official University of Wyoming athletic supply outlet, provide support for the Goshen County School Districts, and Eastern Wyoming College (EWC). They encourage and provide an awareness of the important role each student, teacher and administrator brings to our community. Deb’s enthusiasm provides a most welcoming presentation as she greets each visitor from all over the world to Torrington and their store.”

n Big Land, Open Skies – Star Employee of the Year Award: This award recognizes an outstanding employee who is productive, exhibits commitment in carrying out job responsibilities, whose work reflects a frontier spirit and is ever growing.

There were two winners: Carolyn Brickner, greeter at McDonald’s.

“Carolyn is a ray of sunshine to everyone that walks through the doors at McDonald’s in Torrington. She’s friendly, helpful, happy and keeps the restaurant spotless. She’s the true example of someone who enjoys going to work each day, who makes a positive impression, knows many of her customers by name, and is a sheer delight to be around. Goshen County needs more people like Carolyn Brickner. Tami Afdahl, EWC, is always going above and beyond. She has represented EWC positively for many years. She is always at community events helping out wherever she can, leading the charge on behalf of EWC, and advocating for this community while letting everyone know how friendly of an environment EWC has.”

n Big Land, Open Heart – Volunteer of the Year: This award recognizes those outstanding volunteers who are making a difference with their open heart, dedicated to Goshen County or has made a significant difference in our community. 

“Mary Houser is a gem, one-in-a-million, and selfless. She is involved in many different organizations, one being Gracie’s Promise. Her dedication to serving the community and serving others is exemplifying. Her smile makes people feel comfortable and know that she is wholeheartedly dedicated to the cause. Her age doesn’t get in her way, as she has always made a profound effort to put the needs of other above herself. A volunteer is someone who provides a service and expects nothing in return, and Mary is a textbook definition of a volunteer. Mary deserves to be nominated as she works so hard for others and expects nothing in return.”

n Big Land, Open Opportunity – Entrepreneur of the Year: This award recognizes those innovative and dedicated business entrepreneurs or product creators that utilize the open opportunity of Goshen County.

“Kaitlyn Steben, Shoo Fly Soap Company, shapes our youth everyday as an instructor at EWC while juggling her family and personal life. Through all of this she has managed to create a very successful soap company right here in Goshen County. Shoo Fly Soap Company is 100 percent pure, homemade, all-natural product from her farm-raised goats. Goat milk is the No. 1 ingredient in every bar of soap and batch of lotion she makes.”

n The Neil Newman Horizon Award: This award recognized by the GCEDC Board of Directors as a visionary who sees beyond the horizon. 

This year the GCEDC Board of Directors would like to start a new tradition of the Neil Newman Horizon Award. Every year, we would like to pay tribute to a true visionary of our community. This award was presented to Neil Newman as he as he saw a vision past the horizon for the Cobblestone Hotel. Mrs. Deidre Newman accepted the award in memory of Mr. Neil Newman.”

In addition, GCEDC President Bob Taylor passed the gavel to Kelly Sittner at the event, calling the GCEDC board a “strong, diverse-thinking, supportive, and hard-working” group of individuals, and reminded residents to vote for the continuation of the economic development quarter-cent sales tax, on the ballot for the General Election next week.

The evening concluded with a 50/50 raffle collecting $1,400 in receipts, with proceeds going towards an agriculture scholarship at EWC. The EWC Foundation will match the funds raised. The Bucking Horse Steakhouse provided hors d’oeuvres, and J&B Liquor served drinks. Casey Jones performed live music at the meeting.

GCEDC is a non-profit organization created in 1987 to encourage business growth and build on local community assets. GCEDC’s mission is to cultivate boundless opportunities for business and community. A key piece of this mission is helping existing business remain in the community and continue to grow. For more information, please contact Harpstreith at (307)
532-5162.