Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership Launches New Website

A one-stop-shop for industry information and current initiatives

Evanston, Wyo., February 16, 2022 - Evanston Economic Development is pleased to announce its partner, Southwest Wyoming Economic Manufacturing Partnership (SWMP), has launched a new website as an important industry resource for information and current initiatives.

“The website centralizes the work that the Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership is doing, and gives a one-stop-shop for information and current initiatives,” said Ron Wild, Regional Business Manager, Rocky Mountain Power. “You can now access the group through this tool, and see how we are engaged in bringing the needs of industry to the public sector to support growth. The website allows visibility to the historical work that has been done, and informs the reader of upcoming meetings, current participants, and needs of the Partnership that are being addressed.” 

Wild is the co-chair of the SWMP marketing workstream and worked with the website’s builder and designer Jessica Evans. “Jessica is the owner of Royal Flush Advertising, and has been a monumental asset for the digital advancements we have made,” said Wild. 

SWMP subscribes to The Next Generation Sector Partnership model of “working smarter, not harder.”  The concept relies on collaboration between businesses and private and public industry partners — such as secondary and higher education, economic development agencies, and industry associations — to share the heavy lifting of solving manufacturing industry challenges.

“By opening the lines of communication to the key influencers and decision-makers in the public education sector, the industry partners are able to request change and quickly see results based on real-time needs,” said Wild. “This saves resources for industry and the public sector to ensure the best possible outcomes for both.”

One such education partner is Western Wyoming Community College. WWCC continues to research grant opportunities that will benefit its students, the community, and business/industry with the goal is to apply for grants which provide workforce training in high-demand, high-growth occupations for individuals from underserved and underrepresented populations. Recently, WWCC applied as part of a consortium of Western Community Colleges to increase the pathways for individuals to enter Advanced Manufacturing, Cybersecurity, and/or Agriculture/Business. 

Amy Murphy, Dean, Outreach and Workforce Development at WWCC, said, “The workforce development grants provide job seekers with the career training needed to enter a high growth, high demand pathway.”  She added, “Our community and industry partners have been instrumental in sharing the career training opportunities that are available. Their involvement has assisted us with the expansion of our outreach efforts to address workforce gaps and employment barriers in our local area.”

The website makes joining the SWMP easy. It’s a free way to connect with a community that’s committed to the growth and advancement of the manufacturing industry in Southwest Wyoming. Membership supports efforts to provide manufacturers a network for collaboration and support of industry growth, as well as, help facilitate necessary changes to student education. Members are welcome to participate as their time allows. Joining provides opportunities to exchange information with other industries about innovation and constantly evolving technology, introduce young people to their companies and careers in different industries, develop local supply chains, explore and refine best practices, and assist in the alignment of education and skill development.

“The more voices we have, the better the outcomes we can expect for the entire region,” said Wild. “Meetings are held both face-to-face and via video call. This allows participation of a large geographic group, with minimal travel required. Signing up for the monthly newsletter is a great way to start, and then engage as you are able.”

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About Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership

Southwest Wyoming Manufacturing Partnership was formed on October 4, 2018, when leaders representing a cross-section of the manufacturing industry from Southwest Wyoming came together to identify opportunities and actions needed to promote the growth of the sector. Community partners from workforce development, education, and economic development attended as sector support partners. SWMP is modeled after similar partnerships across the country that are achieving real results for businesses, job seekers, regional economies, and education.

SWMP is formed entirely of volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to advance manufacturing in Southwest Wyoming including all that goes along to support businesses that make things. While not all of our partners directly create goods, they are essential to those who do. SWMP works to bridge the gap between education and industry to create students who are successful in their field right at home in Southwest Wyoming.

About Evanston Economic Development

Evanston is the next frontier on the Wasatch Front, ready for growth and primed for development with available commercial property near Salt Lake City. The City of Evanston and Uinta County Economic Development assists existing businesses, as well as site selectors, executives, and developers looking to grow in the county. They provide interested parties with information, data, resources, and direct support including project management and permitting assistance. They provide direct support with site selection and, once a property is acquired, there are funds available to assist with site grading and bringing in utilities.