¼ - cent s ales t ax b uilds j obs. economic development sales tax request a pprove an optional...

¼ - CENTSALES

TAX

BUILDS

JOBS

Economic Development Sales Tax

REQUEST

APPROVE AN OPTIONAL

QUARTER-CENT SALES TAX FOR ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT AT THE GENERAL ELECTION IN

NOVEMBER 2010

¢

2006 Goshen County adopted an optional sales tax for economic development for a two-year period

Leveraged local sales tax funds 7:1 Allowed Goshen County to be

competitive with larger communities when contending for the UW – GE Energy Coal Research Center

HISTORY¢

FUNDAMENTALS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Encourage job growth 6.4% unemployment rate in Goshen

County – the highest in 12 years Success of existing businesses is top

priority for GCEDC

¢

ACCOUNTABILITY Is a nonprofit organization created in

1987 to create jobs, encourage business growth, and build on local community assets

Keeps a separate accounting of all sales tax funds

Enjoys strong support from local business and industry, city and county government and the citizens of Goshen County

¢Goshen County Economic Development Corp.

A PROVEN TRACK RECORD Instrumental in developing and obtaining financing for

Goshen County fairgrounds Creating a community-owned cooperative, Our

Clothing Store Supporting the development of Heartland

BioComposites, which operates today as Natures Composites

Recruiting the Wyoming Medium Correctional Facility Obtaining financing for the Alzheimer’s Unit Assisting in obtaining grant funding for the new

Lincoln Center Founding the Goshen County 2-Shot Goose Hunt

¢Goshen County Economic Development Corp.

Business Development

Blue Sun BiodieselGE Energy/UW

USE: engineering, survey, research, etc.

CustomizedProposals

Business Development

ACTION: Develop Cold Springs Business Park

UW-GE

Companies looking for site served by public water and wastewater

Shovel-ready Highway access Room for expansion

Lessons Learned

Business Development

Cold Springs

Business Park

66 acres – located on Highway 85

19 lots

Goal is to add 200 jobs in the next 20 years

Tax benefits = $7.5 million

First tenant – Schlagel Mfg.

Business Development

Schlagel Manufactur

ing A Wyoming Corporation in its 15th

year Designs and manufacturers

agricultural farm equipment, metal art, and pickup accessories

Has outgrown its current facilities Will increase from 22 to 36 jobs

Leveraged$3,000,000

Community Development

A community, cultural and business center

4 suites available for lease on second floor

Community library

Computer lab

Museum

Break/conference room

Fitness center

Leveraged$1,355,944 Before

After

LaGrangeHeritageSquare

Community Development

Hawk SpringsCommunity

Building

Historic preservation Community gathering place

Leveraged$300,000

Community Development

Goshen County

Housing Study

Assessment included: Demographic trends Housing stock challenges Homeownership options Rental housing availability Elderly population trends Special needs households Race, ethnicity, and housing Economic impact analysis of

opening of WMCI Goshen County Housing Survey Scottsbluff/Gering housing

marketPURPOSE: to assess the gap between the existing housing supply and the number of housing units needed

Helping Goshen County establish

housing and funding priorities.

Community Development

Grants and Matching

Funds Fort Laramie Rendezvous Town of LaGrange Hawk Springs Community Building

Association Torrington Retail Merchants Association Oregon Trail Historic By-way Platte Valley Young Professionals Network

Conclusion¢ Without economic development sales tax, Goshen County has very limited resources to stimulate the economy

Optional sales tax is necessary for economic development to initiate business development and community enhancement projects for a greater impact in all communities