News

University of Wyoming launches center dedicated to non-partisan firearms research

Friday, January 20, 2023

As the debate over gun control in the U.S. continues, the University of Wyoming (UW) has launched a new center dedicated to all aspects of firearms research. The new Firearms Research Center (FRC) seeks to bring together voices concerned with all aspects of firearms for in-depth research, collaboration, and discussions, and to create opportunities for learning. Dr. George Mocsary, Co-Founder and Director of the center, said the center will be a focal point for all gun-related practitioners, scholars, policymakers, and practically anyone doing firearms-related work or interested in firearms in general. Click here to view the full article.

Sheridan Memorial Hospital will have behavioral health and emergency triage facilities by 2026

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) has received funding that will create a dedicated triage space for their emergency department as well as providing resources for those with behavioral health needs locally. The funds are being provided by the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB). “The State Loan and Investment Board awarded $5.9 million to Sheridan Memorial Hospital for use in the project that we have which is a behavioral health unit, inpatient and behavioral health unit, and it's a $12.8 million total project,” said Mike McCafferty, CEO of Sheridan Memorial Hospital. “Also, the State Loan Investment Board awarded us $480,000 on ...

5 Proven Tips for Better Defining Your Business' Unique Value Proposition

Friday, January 13, 2023

The business world is incredibly competitive — which is undoubtedly why roughly 45% of businesses fail within five years of opening. While there are many reasons why a business could fail, one of the biggest roadblocks to success is not having a well-defined unique value proposition (UVP). If you can't effectively communicate to your customers why your business and its products or services are unique from your competitors, you're going to have a hard time standing out. Click here to view the full article.

8 Things Entrepreneurs Should Look for When Getting a Business Loan

Friday, January 13, 2023

If you need funds for your enterprise, it can be very tempting to go for the first business loan on offer. However, there are a number of things you should look for before you sign on the dotted line. Click here to view the full article.

Empathy-first leadership: Being a boss with a heart

Friday, January 13, 2023

Does business really have to be all . . . business? Being a leader isn’t just about profit and loss statements; it’s also about being human. Effective leaders know that their listening skills and ability to empathize with staff and customers can be just as essential as sharp instincts about what will or won’t sell. In a recent webinar sponsored by Inc., Fast Company, and the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN), moderator Amy Jo Martin, founder and CEO of Renegade Global, spoke with Verta Maloney, co-founder of the*gameHers, a community for women gamers to meet, connect, and play online and offline...

How to create an environment where innovation flourishes

Friday, January 13, 2023

For many entrepreneurs, breakthrough innovations seem to appear out of the ether, mysterious in origin and almost magical in their power. They understand that new ideas are crucial to organizations’ success but are not sure how to generate and foster them. Breakthrough innovation was the focus of a recent panel at the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network Powerhouse Summit in conjunction with Fast Company and Inc. Business leaders from a variety of industries provided perspective into where breakthroughs come from, how they can be encouraged, and the importance of challenging the business practices, systems, and services that have been used in th...

Governor Gordon Offers a Blueprint for Wyoming to Lead the Nation

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon’s State of the State Address to the 67th Legislature highlighted multiple fronts where Wyoming is leading and further opportunities to lead the nation through innovation. Reflecting on the current financial position of the state Governor Gordon noted, “Wyoming finds herself at a remarkable juncture. Federal government largess and energy markets have given Wyoming a financial bumper crop. Yet, Wyoming is strong, and her future is bright. Together, we have an opportunity to make her even stronger for our people and for the generations to come.” Click here to view the full article.

How To Include Remote Workers in Your Workforce Attraction Strategy

Monday, January 09, 2023

As we enter a new year, you may be wondering how to include remote workers in your workforce attraction strategy. We all know that there are many, many more people working remotely now than there ever have been in the past. In fact, in June of 2022, a Gallup survey reported that 8 in 10 people are working hybrid or remote, while only 2 in 10 are entirely on-site. An AT&T study shows the hybrid work model is expected to grow from 42% in 2021 to 81% in 2024. It is vital to focus on effectively targeting remote workers, bu...

USDA Announces Major Program Improvements, Progress, and Investments to Benefit American Farmers, Ranchers, and Producers

Monday, January 09, 2023

SAN JUAN, P.R., January 9, 2023 — Today, at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several major developments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will benefit farmers, ranchers and producers across the nation. “At USDA, our goal is to provide all farmers, including new and underserved producers, with the opportunity to receive the assistance they need to continue farming, to build and maintain their competitive-edge, and to access more, new, and better markets,” said Vilsack, who spoke at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention today. “Working together we can ensure American agriculture i...

Governor Gordon Sworn In for 2nd Term; Outlines Vision for Building Wyoming’s Future in Second Inaugural Address

Monday, January 02, 2023

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – After taking the oath of office for his second term, Governor Mark Gordon delivered his Second Inaugural Address. Governor Gordon pledged to continue to fight for Wyoming values, and called on her citizens to work together to build the state’s future. The Governor’s speech encouraged engaging with others holding differing views, and laid out a vision “for Wyoming to chart her path, independent of political fashion, or popular trend.” Click here to view the full article.

4 leadership trends to watch in 2023

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Recently, I walked into a medical center and was met by an annoying light flickering above the receptionist’s desk. It twitched nonstop, resulting in an intense strobe light effect in the busy waiting room. When I commented about how difficult it must be to work with it, the receptionist responded, “Management just doesn’t care.” I was tempted to stand on a chair myself and take a minute to turn the fluorescent tube off, but realized I’d probably get yelled at for doing so. And I really wanted that appointment. The next day, when I returned for a follow-up visit, all th...

Small Business Success in Upton Starts with a Plan

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Over the past few years, individuals across the country have been creating new businesses out of their innovative ideas. While these entrepreneurs may be knowledgeable in the areas those ideas center around, they often need guidance in understanding how to start a business. Experts indicate the best first step to get that operation moving forward in 2023 is to write a business plan now. Fortunately, Upton entrepreneurs can access expertise from Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and its Regional Director, P.J. Burns. “A good business plan is less of a reflection of a single point in time than a livin...

Committee asks for federal land project proposals

Monday, December 05, 2022

The Greater Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is now accepting applications for money to fund projects that will benefit national forest lands. Individuals, public and private entities can apply for the funding, which comes from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act. This funding model began in 1908 to support rural areas whose tax base diminished due to the expansion of federal lands, according to a U.S. Forest Service webpage. Today, the money is disbursed in three areas, known as titles, for roads and schools, federal lands and county projects. Click here to view the full article.

7 ways to bake innovation into your company’s culture

Saturday, November 26, 2022

After my first week of being hired at a manufacturing company, I saw an opportunity for efficiency if workers simply altered the process in which they were fulfilling orders. I made my suggestions to the owner of the business, after which he shook his head and replied, “Thanks, but we’ve been doing it this way for years.” Thinking about something in a new way is often hard for people to grasp. Our minds are programmed to establish patterns of familiarity so that we can more easily predict approach and outcomes. When a new idea is introduced in business, you can almos...

Rare Element Resources receives $4.4 million grant from Wyoming Energy Authority in support of Rare Earth Demonstration Plant Project

Monday, November 21, 2022

November 21, 2022 – Littleton, Colorado – Rare Element Resources Ltd. (the “Company” or “RER”) (OTCQB: REEMF) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $4.4 million grant from the Wyoming Energy Authority (the “WEA”) to be utilized for the advancement of the Company’s rare earth element processing and separation demonstration plant project in Upton, Wyoming. The grant is a cost reimbursement award for future expenditures related to the project, which is also supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (the “DOE”) through a previously announced financial award. The total project cost is approximately $44 million, with $21....

Request for Expression of Interest seeks input from stakeholders on Direct Air Capture as Wyoming considers federal funding opportunities

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Cheyenne, Wyo – The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER), together with the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) and the Wyoming Energy Authority (WEA), has released a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) to solicit input from key stakeholders on Direct Air Capture activities and initiatives in Wyoming. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Four Regional Clean Direct Air Capture Hubs program, part of the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act, may present an opportunity for Wyoming to create economic growth and resilience by encouraging development in the direct air capture (DAC) industry. DAC is a form of Carbon Capture Utilizatio...

USDA Provides Nearly $24M Boost for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young today announced a nearly $24 million investment across 45 organizations and institutions that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers. “Investing in the professional development of our nation’s newest farmers and ranchers will help our food and agriculture sectors to flourish from the ground up,” said Jacobs-Young, who is also USDA’s Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “Strengthening and growing our next generation pipeline is vital to the continued success of American agriculture and prosperity of rural communities.” Click here to view the full article.

A second railroad union votes down Biden's tentative agreement

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

A second railroad union voted on Wednesday against ratifying the tentative agreement brokered between the railroad managers, unions and members of President Joe Biden's administration. The move increases the possibility of a strike in November that would endanger the national supply chain if a deal is not reached. The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, which represents over 6,000 workers in the United States, announced that its members voted to reject the tentative agreement, sending the union back to the bargaining table with management. Click here to read the full article.

Entrepreneurs Drive Upton’s Success!

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Over the past couple of years, communities across the nation have experienced significant small business growth and entrepreneurship. Upton’s entrepreneurs play a vital role in meeting the community’s needs, resulting in job creation, economic sustainability and growth. What is an entrepreneur? A person with an exciting idea who seeks to turn it into a profitable business is an entrepreneur. Dedication and hard-working with the energy needed to design, launch and operate a new business are character traits they typically possess in abundance. Thousands of individuals put their entrepreneurial ideas to the test by starting their own businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic...

With Rail Strike Looming, Wyoming Has The Coal To Ship But Can’t Get Enough Trains

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Wyoming coal producers are struggling to get their product out and the possibility of a railroad worker strike is adding anxiety on top of limited rail capacity. Randall Luthi, chief energy advisor for Gov. Mark Gordon, met with executives at Peabody Energy earlier this month. Production is up, but Luthi said Powder River Basin coal companies are having a hard time getting enough trains to ship it to customers. Read the full article here.

Governor Celebrates Wyoming’s First Veteran-focused Skilled Nursing Facility

Thursday, October 20, 2022

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon celebrated the newly constructed Veterans Home of Wyoming with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today. The first skilled nursing facility dedicated to veterans in Wyoming will provide long-term care to veterans, their spouses and Gold Star families. “Our veterans are an integral part of Wyoming’s rich heritage, and it is an honor to celebrate the completion of the first veterans skilled nursing facility in Wyoming,” shared Governor Mark Gordon. “Veterans, and their families, embody the spirit of Wyoming through their courageous and selfless actions to protect the liberties we hold dear. This beautiful facility reflects the hono...

A state education organization is offering the opportunity for young people to better communities

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

The Wyoming Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge is a contest for K-12 school aged students to promote their ideas for a product or service that could benefit their community, the environment, or the state. This challenge, which opened for pitches at the beginning of the month, is the fourth time that the Wyoming Afterschool Alliance (WAA) has hosted it. Previous challenge events took place in the spring and fall of 2021 as well as earlier this year. Click here to read the full article.

USDA Formalizes Big Game Conservation Partnership with State of Wyoming

Monday, October 17, 2022

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the state of Wyoming are formalizing a partnership to support the voluntary conservation of private working lands and migratory big game populations in Wyoming. As part of the agreement signed today by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Governor Mark Gordon (PDF, 1.4 MB), USDA will provide a new package of investments in key conservation programs for fiscal year 2023, which includes funding to support increased staffing capacity and the deployment of streamlined program application processes for agricultural producers and landowners. Producers in the Wyoming pilot area will b...

Forget about goal setting. Try these 5 strategies instead

Friday, October 14, 2022

Goal setting is one of those things that seems like it would be fundamental to success. If you’ve read any books or articles about getting ahead in your career or life, you’ve probably come across tips on setting goals (like SMART goal setting) so that you can successfully meet them. But setting goals may not be as relevant anymore, and there may be better alternatives to managing your career–and your life. Click here to read the full article.

The 4 Biggest Difficulties Every Entrepreneur Faces

Friday, October 14, 2022

The path to success as an entrepreneur can take many different forms, and no matter what path you choose, difficulties will always exist. It's easy to become a bit of a skeptic when it comes to doing business. The truth is, it's not easy — and it's not for everyone. It takes hard work and determination to succeed, no matter how cliché it sounds. You also have to recognize challenges as bottlenecks — not as signs of failure, but as obstacles to be overcome. To prepare yourself for any difficulties you might encounter along your entrepreneurial journey, here are some o...

Metal Fabrication Strong With Demand, Expansion

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

“It’s an underappreciated industry.” That’s the basic observation of Dennis Donovan, principal with Wadley Donovan Gutshaw Consulting, of Bridgewater, N.J., when he was asked about the importance of, the health of and the potential of the metal fabrication industry. A look at the breadth of the sectors it serves gives some insight into why Donovan offered that description. While it may not always garner the glitz of other more frontline sectors like headquarters locations, tourism or digital media, consider the integral connection metal fabrication provides to such industries as defense, transportation equipment, energy, furniture and medical equipment. Click here to read the ful...

Firm has big plans for air capture

Monday, October 10, 2022

CASPER – Wyoming leaders have made plain, for years, that they’re courting carbon capture developers in an effort to save the state’s coal industry. But their vision of Wyoming as a destination for carbon capture has also grown to encompass much more than coal. That’s what prompted state officials to pursue – and successfully land – Project Bison, which on Sept. 8 became the largest direct air capture initiative ever announced. Read full article.

State seeks input on aging infrastructure

Monday, October 10, 2022

Wyoming landowners, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to attend upcoming public meetings on critical aging irrigation infrastructure in their communities. Much of the state’s irrigation infrastructure is more than 100 years old. Troubling developments, such as the collapse of the Gering – Fort Laramie Canal Tunnel and the identification of structural issues in the LaPrele Dam, prompted the state of Wyoming to launch the Critical Aging Irrigation Infrastructure Project, Level I Study. Read full article.

Wyoming looks to grow its manufacturing sector

Monday, October 10, 2022

CASPER —Wyoming leaders are effectively laying the groundwork for manufacturing sector growth, but the state’s new industries and shifting workforce will need continued support in the years ahead, panelists said at an economic development event Friday. The panel — one of several convened in Jackson by the Wyoming Energy Authority, Wyoming Business Council, University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources and the Atlantic Council, an international affairs think tank — focused on the future of Wyoming’s efforts to diversify its economy. Read full article.

Amid Rebound, U.S. Regains Position as World Leader in FDI

Saturday, October 01, 2022

pair of studies shows the U.S. at the top of the rankings for foreign direct investment (FDI) behind a surge of Asian and European investment in technology, chemicals, information and communication, and financial services. According to Kearney’s Global Business Policy Council’s 2022 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index and for the tenth consecutive year, the U.S. is the world’s No. 1 destination for FDI. Click here to view the full article.

Three Big Challenges Facing the Food & Beverage Industry

Saturday, October 01, 2022

Huge spikes in demand for retail products, while food service demand virtually disappeared…supply chain disruptions that revealed previously unknown weaknesses in the flow of ingredients and materials…already existing labor shortages exacerbated by COVID outbreaks and shutdowns, as well as existing staff missing time due to illness, caring for family members, or juggling work in an essential industry with remote school and other logistical challenges — these are among the challenges food and beverage processors have faced. While these disruptions have stabilized as food and beverage processors have figured out how to adapt and improvise, they still exist. And they ar...

ICYMI: A round-up of links to videos of webinars you might have missed

Friday, September 30, 2022

We've had a super busy start to our fall webinar line-up! More than 800 people signed up for our recent webinar offerings, on subjects from rural economic development to supporting small businesses and so much more. If you missed any of these recent webinars, you are in luck! We recorded all of them and invite you to review those videos at your convenience. Read here for the full article.

Why Utilities Are Such Great Economic Development Partners

Monday, September 26, 2022

Anyone whose eye is on international news today can easily see how all aspects of a community are impacted when energy is scarce, unreliable, or unaffordable. Yet even under optimal conditions and ideal circumstances, successful economic development organizations fully understand why utility companies are invaluable working partners. Click here for the full article.

Summer of 2022 Challenging for Wyoming Dude Ranches

Monday, September 19, 2022

Craig Kenyon is living his dream. As the owner of the Absaroka Mountain Lodge near Cody, Kenyon usually spends his summers wrangling horses, greeting guests, and managing the business. But staff shortages at the end of the season mean that Kenyon is also washing dishes, doing piles of laundry and other tasks that are normally done by hired hands. Read full article.

UW College of Business Draws 300 Students, 85 Companies to Recent Career Fair

Monday, September 19, 2022

This year, the University of Wyoming College of Business embarked on a mission to develop a more inclusive and equitable career fair for its business students. In addition to reducing registration barriers, the college provided UW-branded T-shirts to students who attended with the expectation that they would sport jeans for the event rather than suits and ties. Read full article.

A Gillette railroad union leader says agreement between major freight railroads and rail unions is a start

Friday, September 16, 2022

A tentative agreement was struck between railroad companies and railroad workers after a 20-hour long marathon negotiating session on Sept. 15. The agreement, for now, avoids a nationwide freight rail strike that would have brought both freight and passenger trains to a standstill. It would have, also, impacted Amtrak on most of its network as the majority of its routes are operated over the tracks of freight railroads. Kevin Knutson is a Gillette-based conductor and union leader. He said he’s happy with the agreement. Read full article.

How an attendance policy brought the U.S. to the brink of a nationwide rail strike

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Like so many essential workers in the pandemic, the engineers and conductors who drive the nation's freight trains have had it. They're tired of unpredictable, inflexible work schedules. They're tired of being penalized for taking days off when they're sick or tending to a family emergency. They want a better quality of life. Through contract negotiations, they made their voices heard, threatening a strike that could have brought trains to a halt nationwide on Friday. Read full article.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE INVESTS $3.4 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS TO SUPPORT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND JOB GROWTH IN CAMPBELL COUNTY, WYOMING

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $3.4 million in American Rescue Plan grants to support Wyoming communities economically impacted by the declining use of coal and the coronavirus pandemic. These grants are funded by EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment. Campbell County will receive a $2.8 million grant for infrastructure improvements at the Pronghorn Industrial Park to support business growth and job creation. This EDA investment will be matched by $593,423 in local funds and is expected to create and retain 90 jobs and generate $25 million i...

A NEW ERA FOR MONEY

Thursday, September 01, 2022

Money has transformed human society, enabling commerce and trade even between widely dispersed geographic locations. It allows the transfer of wealth and resources across space and over time. But for much of human history, it has also been the object of rapacity and depredation. Money is now on the cusp of a transformation that could reshape banking, finance, and even the structure of society. Most notably, the era of physical currency, or cash, is drawing to an end, even in low- and middle-income countries; the age of digital currencies has begun. A new round of competition between official and private currencie...

Relocating to Upton Can offset Rising Inflation

Friday, August 19, 2022

Inflation has become the front and center topic of discussion across the country. The cost of everything from groceries and gasoline to real estate and utilities is on the rise. As businesses see the cost of goods soaring and consumers pay more at the checkout stand and in their monthly bills, they question how to save money. Upton may be the answer. National reports indicate current inflation rates have exceeded 8% - higher than at any time since the 1980s. As of July 2022, real average hourly earnings for U.S. employees increased by 0.5%, resulting in a 1% increase in th...

Believing Who You Are

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

It takes but a cursory glance at our list of top-performing non-metros, and a one-word theme emerges: Georgia. Based on numerical tallies of projects that qualify for inclusion in Site Selection’s Conway Projects Database, Georgia placed two non-metro communities among the nation’s top five and seven among the top 50 during the 12-month period ending April 30. They range from the South Georgia town of Alma — which accumulated five qualifying investments totaling nearly $30 million of capital expenditure — to Blairsville (population: 725) in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Blairsville’s two qualifying projects include the $1.6 million Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Co...

Here’s Who Decides What Quality of Life Means

Monday, August 15, 2022

Quoting Site Selection colleagues isn’t a reportorial practice we typically employ. But in this instance, a thought-provoking presentation by Editor-in-Chief Mark Arend served as the prompt for an inquiry into attracting top talent through “quality of life” enhancements. QOL has rocketed up the priority list of economic developers. “In many cases today,” Mark observed in mid-May at the City Nation Place conference hosted out of Pittsburgh, “quality of life rivals traditional location priorities. QOL attributes are increasingly important to talent, and finding the right talent is more important to companies today than ever before.” Read full article.

Discover the Benefits of Upton’s Farmers Market this Summer

Friday, August 12, 2022

Each Tuesday throughout the summer season, local vendors gather at the Upton Farmers Market to sell a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, homemade canned items, jams, jellies, freeze-dried foods, handmade crafts, salsa, wax melts and more. But farmers markets are so much more than niche operations for discerning customers. Farmers markets boost the local economy, build a sense of community pride and promote a healthy respect for a sustainable local environment. Farmers markets are critical contributors to local job creation and the cultivation of strong, vibrant communities. Growers selling at local outlets create thirteen full-time farm operator jobs per $...

Governor Selects new Major Project Development Manager

Thursday, August 04, 2022

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon has announced an addition to his Administration’s Natural Resources policy team. Jennifer Thomson will serve as the Governor’s Major Project Development Manager. The position, developed and funded through a joint collaboration between Governor Gordon’s Office and the Wyoming Legislature, is intended to keep Wyoming at the forefront of the energy frontier. Thomson is a Wyoming native whose experience blends key aspects of the private corporate world with a fluent knowledge of federal and state regulatory processes. “I’m delighted to bring Jenn’s extensive experience and breadth of knowledge on natural resource issues, as well as he...

Housing Shortage Update - Summer 2022

Tuesday, August 02, 2022

After two grueling pandemic years, a weary world rang in a tumultuous 2022. With rapid inflation, stock market volatility, and the global ripples caused by an excruciating war in Europe, the only certainty seems to be uncertainty. The current housing market is compounding those challenges in the United States. Thanks to pandemic shutdowns, labor shortages, and supply chain issues, housing inventory at the end of 2021 was already low. With a shortage of approximately 1.5 million homes, there is less inventory to rent or buy than there has been at any time in the past 30 years. Read full article.

In Focus: “Golden Age” of Spec Development

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

From coast to coast, demand for new warehouse and distribution space is hitting record-breaking levels. According to a recent report from Cushman & Wakefield,1 the U.S. industrial construction pipeline topped 600 million square feet for the first time ever in Q1 2022, with nearly 95 percent of that tally classified as warehouse/distribution product. Net absorption hit a staggering 108 million square feet in Q1, with 10 different markets posting more than five million square feet of new leasing activity from January to March. Read full article.

How to Gain an Edge in the Race for Talent

Monday, July 25, 2022

If you are not spending as much time developing your future workforce as you are engaging your current one, then you are falling behind your competition. That was just one of the key takeaways from the World Forum for Foreign Direct Investment held in early May in Edinburgh, Scotland. The global competition for talent has never been more intense, and only those companies that build and maintain ecosystems to support long-term talent generation and retention will survive, said a panel of experts convened at the World Forum organized by Conway Data Inc., publisher of Site Selection. Read full article.

Proving ROI in Funding Quality of Place Improvements

Monday, July 25, 2022

Proving ROI for quality of place improvements typically centers around job creation and talent attraction. Economic development organizations understand that if their community does not have the workforce, they will likely not attract new companies to their area or see expansions in their local industries. A community's quality of life and quality of place quite simply help attract and retain workers. That is absolutely a quantifiable improvement. A 2020 study by the Knight Foundation found that in the communities they serve, quality of life accounts for about a third of the moves to a metro area and a third of th...

Worried About Layoffs? 5 Tips For Job Seekers (And Job Seekers-To-Be) In A Slowing Economy

Friday, July 22, 2022

More workers are finding themselves out of a job (or becoming worried they might soon be) as a string of high-profile companies, mostly startups and in tech, have moved to freeze hiring or even to slash workers and rescind job offers. New unemployment claims edged up to an eight-month high last week. Initial unemployment claims increased by 7,000 to 251,000 in the week ending July 16, making the four-week moving average rise by 4,500 to 240,500, according to the Department of Labor. Those numbers are still a marked improvement from last July, when the four-week average of unemployment claims hit mor...

Small businesses break into the top 10

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Local businesses appear to be getting back on their feet after the pandemic, and Weston County was recently named one of the 10 best places statewide to operate small businesses, according to SmartAsset. The company released an analysis of the business landscape in Wyoming, and this county ranked ninth out of the state’s 23 counties. The study measured IRS data on the number of small businesses operating in each county, how much income they generate, and the amount they pay in taxes. Weston County ranked in the top 10 for efficiency of small businesses in the state. Read full article.

Five Types Of Talent Behind The Great Resignation

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Last summer, Shannon Harrell left a marketing role at Nestlé to work in the then booming telehealth industry at Teladoc Health. Several months later, as her new employer’s stock was falling amid disappointing results, Harrell switched her LinkedIn status to “open to work.” By April, she’d been recruited to run strategic communications and channel marketing at pet insurer PetPartners. “I saw the writing on the wall,” Harrell says. “The growth of that category looked a little uncertain, so I was—as anyone would be—concerned.” Read full article.

Attracting and Retaining Workers in Today's Challenging Market

Tuesday, July 05, 2022

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment has fallen to pre-pandemic levels, but that doesn’t mean the workforce is simply returning to normal. In March of 2022, a record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs, leaving 1.9 job openings for every unemployed worker. According to the Institute of Supply Management, filling positions in the manufacturing industry is particularly challenging. According to a recent survey by CNBC, fifty-two percent of all small business owners report trouble finding workers. It’s safe to say that for every employee who resigns, others are contemplating quitting. Read full article.

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