Newsletter February 2010

Volume 1 Issue 4                                                                                                                                              February 2010

 

2010 Partners in Progress Kick-Off

For 25 years LEDC has worked to bring leadership, opportunity, and resources to the business community with the express purpose of keeping Laramie and Albany County economically vibrant.  Over the years we have had remarkable successes:

• Over $16 million has been procured from grants LEDC helped write and pursue.

• $262,000 has been loaned to 16 local businesses from LEDC's revolving loan fund, with a 0% default rate.

• LEDC's efforts have supported both the creation and retention of jobs.

• LEDC has helped beautify the community by forming the Laramie Beautification Committee. This community-wide coalition has brought resources together from both the public and private sectors to help plant trees and shrubs along entryways and improve public spaces.

 
Moving into the future, we continue to provide the leadership necessary to rally resources and create a better community.  Our goal for the next five years is to support primary job creation through recruitment, business mentoring, and education.

This work depends on the support of investors from the community.  The work that we do has always been underwritten by well-informed business people and elected officials who share the organization's vision.  Now, more than ever before, we are reaching out to more people in the community.  By enlisting the support of every member of the community, we believe the organization can accomplish great things.  This work won't be done this year or next, it is instead through a sustained effort that Laramie will see success in creating the community it envisions. 

LEDC understands the world is changing and in order to continue to improve the local economy we will need to stay abreast of changes and take advantage of new opportunities.  An investment helps us recruit new companies, support the expansion of existing businesses, and work with community organizations to realize these successes.  Join LEDC in making an investment in the community for the future of its residents.  Just like it did 25 years ago, Laramie and Albany County depends on the actions of citizens who are committed to success.

We officially kick-off our 2010 Partners in Progress Campaign on February 18th from 5:30 until 7:30 at the Laramie Technology Building.  Accomplishments during LEDC's first 25 years and what the organization is working on for the future will be on display.  If you haven't already done so, please RSVP at www.laramiewy.org/events.

For more information please call us at (307)742-2212.

 

 

LEDC February Client Report

As always, we encourage you to contact us for more information about our activities.  Please visit the link to see the clients we have been working with this February.

Click here for all of the "Hot" clients as of 2/16/10

In the meantime, please remember the best leads for Laramie come from existing businesses and residents.
Please note: all of LEDC's clients are kept confidential unless they specify otherwise.

 

 

Partner Recognition

Western Research Institute, Growing in Laramie!

Western Research Institute (WRI), located in Laramie, Wyoming, is a multi-million dollar, not-for-profit, research organization renowned for work in advanced energy systems, environmental technologies and highway materials research.  Its corporate headquarters is located on the University of Wyoming campus and its 22-acre Advanced Technology Center (ATC), situated north of town, provides additional laboratories, plus pilot facilities and room for new development.

WRI is a research institute with broad perspectives and know-how in science, technology and real-world, on-the-ground conditions.  WRI's highly experienced team offer expertise from fields such as chemical, petroleum and environmental engineering, organic, physical, analytical and inorganic chemistry, geology, soil science, business administration and economics.

Since 1924 WRI's focus and contributions to Wyoming, the Rocky Mountain region, and the United States have evolved as the issues and priorities of the times have changed.  According to Don Collins, WRI's Chief Executive Officer and LEDC Board Member,  "WRI's core mission is to further the educational, research, developmental and public service objectives of the University of Wyoming, and carry out scientific research to aid Wyoming, the Rocky Mountain Region and the U.S. by attracting new industry as well as encouraging development and retention of existing industries.  Everyone at WRI is dedicated to making a positive meaningful difference to our community, state, country and planet."

Local Economic Impact
The Wyoming Business Council recently completed an economic and revenue study that found WRI is responsible for the following economic impacts within our community.

• Employment - WRI directly and indirectly supports 182 jobs in the local economy. The Institute's staff of 76 includes scientists, engineers, UW student interns, and administrative professionals.

• Personal Income - WRI, a $13.5 million corporation, directly and indirectly supports a payroll of $8,942,000 in the local economy. This figure represents total sales or Gross Local Product (similar to Gross National Product).  

• Output - WRI's impact on the local economy is $21,602,228 in terms of total output.

• Households - supports 141 households in the local community.

• Enrollment - supports student enrollment of 43 children in Albany County School District 1.

• Local Tax Revenues - supports $313,057 in property and sales taxes each year.

• State Tax Revenues - supports $194,781 in sales and severance taxes.

State and National Research
WRI's energy technology research efforts are targeted to achieve the vision of economically and environmentally sustainable processes that move Wyoming up the "value chain" of energy.   A critical example is WRI's pioneering technologies for "clean and green coal."    

One innovative WRI technology enhances conventional pulverized coal power plant efficiency by 3-5% while also reducing regional water consumption by 50-60% and capturing mercury, arsenic and selenium.  In addition, increased coal plant efficiency results in an annual reduction of 60 to 100 million tons of CO2 emissions per power plant.

A second technology is Powder River Basin (PRB) Coal Upgrading, which increases PRB coal's energy value from about 8,000 Btu/lb to 11,500 Btu/lb, while removing approximately 75% of the mercury and substantial amounts of arsenic and selenium prior to use at the power plant.  The water from the process is clean enough to meet Wyoming irrigation, livestock and mine operation needs.  This technology will raise the value of PRB coal in a way that will also increase severance revenue to the state of Wyoming.

A Cooperative Agreement with the Department of Energy is at the core of WRI's energy and environmental research.  Commercial contracts and cooperative efforts with industry and other government entities have been largely responsible for the 55% increase in revenue WRI has enjoyed over the last five years.

WRI is also recognized for its expertise in extending the life cycle of public roads both in the U.S. and internationally. Under contracts with the Federal Highway Administration and Department of Transportation, innovations are literally "hitting the road," yielding substantial savings and return on the nation's investment. The Petersen Asphalt Research Conference has convened nearly 100 participants in Laramie each summer for more than 45 years. The conference began with WRI's earliest incarnation as the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
 
State Policy Impact
Governor Freudenthal invited Don Collins to serve on the steering committee for the Energy Industry Skilled Trades Workforce Initiative, organized to address a critical shortfall in worker training for high-paying energy jobs.
 
WRI has teamed with the governor's office to develop a policy to reduce the environmental footprint of proposed high voltage transmission corridors carrying electricity out of Wyoming.  WRI contributed to the development of Wyoming's strategy for applying federal stimulus funds under the State Energy Program and Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant program.

"Participating on state teams and at events, such as the Green Harvest Festival in Wheatland and the Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Summit, enables WRI to fulfill its charter to support Wyoming industries and economic activities", Mr. Collins said.  Such participation also provides insights into the issues and changes important to Wyoming to better guide WRI's R&D pursuits.

WRI at Work in the Laramie Community
Though WRI's participation in the Laramie community is quiet and sometimes easy to overlook, it is sustained year in and year out.  

WRI's 70+ employees have earned the Gold Award from United Way of Albany County for 9 years (before that, they were Silver).  The American Cancer Society Relay for Life has been a signature event on the WRI community calendar for over a decade.  WRI employees have contributed to the Albany County Department of Family Services Community Holidays Program and were a top team for Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake for over 20 years.

Other entities WRI supports include the State Science Fair, the UW Science Posse, the Art Museum Festival of Trees, the Always a Cowboy 8K, the Laramie Greenbelt, the Laramie Soup Kitchen and Lincoln Community Center.   WRI works to support causes that extend out of Albany County as well.  No one could have planned for the devastation in Haiti.  WRI employees, however, quickly put together a $1,700 gift to aid relief efforts.  In fact, "corporate citizenship" is a WRI value that's included in the Institute's strategic planning.

For more information on WRI and its programs, please visit www.westernresearch.org

 

 

Existing Business Support

Did you know that small businesses can receive free consulting and access to market research through Wyoming Entrepreneur?
 
LEDC understands the importance of retaining and expanding existing businesses as well encouraging the entrepreneurial environment.  We offer customized assistance in order to retain and encourage expansion of local businesses:

• LEDC's Revolving Loan Fund Program for financing at optimum terms
• Assistance preparing applications for Workforce Training and Trade Show Grants
• Networking opportunities with local businesses
• Inclusion in LEDC special events and dinners
• Relevant market research
• Site or building expansion assistance

Our success in helping local businesses and improving the economy in Laramie and Albany County is also dependent on the many partnerships we maintain.  Wyoming is fortunate to have one of the most  business friendly climates in the United States.  However, another asset for Wyoming business owners is the strength of the many programs offered by state agencies and private organizations. 

Whether you are an entrepreneur that is just getting started or a successful business owner that wants to reach the next level, take some time to check out our "business resources" page by clicking here.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss any of these resources further.

 

 

Request For LEDC Board Nominations

The LEDC Nominating Committee is requesting nominations from our Partners in Progress for open seats on the LEDC Board of Directors.  In accordance with the LEDC Bylaws, all members of Partners in Progress in good standing are eligible for a position on the Board of Directors. 

Please submit your nominations no later than noon (MST) on Friday, February 26, 2010 to Gaye Stockman. E-mail submittals and self-nominations are acceptable.

From the received PIP nominations, the LEDC Nominating Committee will develop a slate of candidates in March to be voted on by the Partners in Progress in April. The newly elected members of the Board of Directors will be introduced at LEDC's Annual Dinner on May 13th.

The LEDC Board is instrumental in setting the priorities for the organization and can take credit for having the vision to move Laramie into a strong competitive position to recruit and retain primary jobs.

Please Note: The LEDC Bylaws also allow for "buy-on" positions for a seat on the LEDC Board of Directors. The cost of a "buy-on" seat is $10,000 annually. Buy-on positions have full voting rights as long as they are in good standing but cannot hold an Officer position. Directors that wish to hold Officer positions must be selected from the Partners in Progress and elected by the LEDC Board.  Nominations can only be submitted by our Partners in Progress investors.

Click here for a list of all members of the Partners in Progress in good standing for your review and nomination.