How can PEP help you?
We help create a diversified economy that continually creates middle-class jobs and wealth across our community takes a structured, thoughtful approach. Each activity in the diagram to the left builds on the activities below. For example, we cannot recruit new businesses if our existing businesses are not successful, or if we are not creating new businesses locally. And none of those activities can happen if our quality of life or infrastructure are lacking.
PEP offers a number of services, from helping navigate city regulations and business plan reviews, to helping coordinate access to capital through the City of Powell Economic Development Fund and/or funds from the Wyoming Business Council.
Recruiting New Business
New business recruitment may be the most visible thing that PEP does, and it certainly is a very important part of our mission. PEP evaluates and responds to all requests for site information that are sent to the City of Powell or the State of Wyoming. We have completed a comprehensive package that provides information to prospective companies and site selector firms including information about available properties, workforce demographics, and key industries. PEP responds to about six formal requests for proposals each year.
Infrastructure Development
Existing business retention and expansion is the most visible and important part of PEPs work. We work with existing business from "soup to nuts" to develop expansion plans or help find solutions to problems threatening the business. We have helped arrange financing, worked on new marketing strategies, develop and analyze market sizing reports with our partners at the University of Wyoming, and helped to coordinate employee training.
Entrepreneur Development
New businesses are the lifeblood of any economic system. PEP works with our partners to provide training, support, advice, and a sense of community to local entrepreneurs interested in opening a new business. From gunsmithing to breweries, we can help you to develop both the plan and the skills necessary to start your own business! Contact us to get more information on PEP's entrepreneurial support or to find out about the Gateway Entrepreneurial Institute created in partnership between PEP and Forward Cody!
Quality of Life
Quality of life is key to any cities ability to retain and attract jobs. The Powell Valley is uniquely located in some of the most sought after areas of the country for outdoor activities. But quality of life is more than just access to our outdoor wonderland. PEP works with other groups in the community to ensure access to healthcare through our work with Powell Valley Hospital and helped create the local Health Services network - a group of local healthcare providers working to ensure seamless access to healthcare services. Our 2014 Strategic Planning work for the City of Powell created a working group to focus specifically on Quality of Life issues.
Workforce Development
Workforce development is critical to any period of continued job creation and growth. PEP is lucky to have a close partnership with (heck, we share the same office) the Northwest College Center for Training and Development. This close relationship allows PEP to refer clients to the appropriate NWC course offerings and to help identify funding opportunities such as the State of Wyoming's Workforce Training Fund. PEP can help with the paperwork to apply for those funds which currently allow 50% match for all training costs up to a total of $3,000 per year per employee.
Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure for existing and new economic growth is a strength of the Powell Valley thanks to years of forward thinking leadership by our city leaders. We can help clients identify appropriate areas that are serviced with the required infrastructure from power, electric, and sewer, to more nuanced services such as rail and access to significant natural gas service, etc.
Leadership/Civic Development and the Role of Public Policy
PEP provides local business owners and entrepreneurs with leadership training through our newly created Gateway Entrepreneurial Institute as well as partnering with the Park County Leadership Institute and other training opportunities including workshops on crowdfunding and marketing. We can work closely with the City of Powell's Planning and Zoning committee as well as the Park County Planning and Zoning group to provide feedback and direction on infrastructure and zoning issues related to economic development.