Economic Development Week 2024: Get Involved and Invest in The Future of Evanston

Uinta County Economic Development Commission (UCEDC) is excited to celebrate Economic Development Week from May 6th to May 10th. Many business owners and residents know the value of economic development, but might not understand how they can contribute to this cause.

“Economic development is key to building a vibrant and sustainable community,” says Gary Welling, Uinta County Economic Development Director. “But the local government can only go so far without the input, engagement, and efforts of our residents. Everyone in Evanston and Uinta County contributes to the region's growth.”

You have an opportunity to shape Evanston’s future and help it succeed. Learn how you can involved in regional economic development. 

Make a Difference Across Uinta County

The first thing you need to know about economic development in Uinta County is that Bear River, Evanston, Lyman, and Mountain View work together to grow the area as a whole. You don’t have to be part of a specific town to benefit from increased job opportunities or housing initiatives.

“There’s no reason to compete with each other in Uinta County,” says Welling. “Growth in a specific area will send ripple effects through the region. Even new businesses in neighboring Lincoln and Sweetwater counties can bring opportunities to our backyard.”

Evanston is the county seat with 12,000 residents, making it the largest city in Uinta County. While site selectors might start in Evanston, their ideal location could be in one of the surrounding areas.  

Attend Monthly Economic Development Meetings

One of the main reasons why the four towns of Uinta County work together is so our economic development leaders don't duplicate their resources. If you are interested in having a voice in economic development for the region, start attending our monthly meetings. Check the Uinta County calendar for your next opportunity.  

“Our monthly meetings usually have nine economic development leaders in attendance along with 10 to 15 members of the community,” says Welling. “Even if the business owners and residents who attend cannot vote on our initiatives, they can share their opinions and insights which influence our decisions.”

These meetings are free to the public and are scheduled to last two hours. The next meeting is on Wednesday, May 22 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Lyman. 

Submit Your Listings to BusinessWyoming.com 

Last year, Evanston EDC launched businesswyoming.com, a website dedicated to promoting economic development in the area. While this is expected to be an invaluable resource for attracting new businesses, local companies can also benefit from its pages.

Submit an employment opportunity to our job board so you can hire your next great team member. You can also become one of our workforce partners to advance the growth of Evanston. Keep up with Evanston EDC by reading our monthly newsletters and by following us on social media. These are the best channels for learning how to get involved in local economic development. 

Take Advantage of Our Programs to Grow Your Business

You don't necessarily have to get involved in local government initiatives to contribute to economic development. As a business owner, entrepreneur, or active community member, you can make Evanston and Uinta County as a whole a better place to live.

“My message to business owners is to get going and we will support you,” says Welling. “Government plays an important role in providing grants and learning opportunities for businesses. But sometimes, the best thing we can do is get out of your way.”

Welling emphasizes that every investment in the region counts and makes a difference in the lives of employees, vendors, and customers. If you need help, look at the business resources and workforce resources on our website. 

Uinta County Economic Developers Have Hope For the Future

When you ask Welling and other members of the economic development team how they feel about Wyoming and the future of Evanston, they are hopeful. They see opportunities for sustainable growth and business attraction. Business leaders in new industries are reaching out to county officials across Wyoming, bringing renewable energy and technology investment to our part of the world. Companies from the north and southwest United States are increasingly excited by what's happening in this region.

“We can get a lot done if we don’t care who gets credit for it,” says Welling. “Evanston, Uinta County, and Wyoming residents are all stronger when we work together.”

This Economic Development Week, commit to getting involved and using your business to make a difference. Check out our latest updates and plan to attend our events. We can’t wait to hear from you.

##