Building the Wyoming We Want

Platte County Record-Times
March 10, 2010

By Amber Ningen, Editor

Governor Dave Freudenthal issued a letter recently applauding Platte and Goshen counties for being selected as a pilot project of Building the Wyoming We Want.

In his letter the Governor stated he was “pleasantly surprised” at the responses to a challenge he made in June of last year to communities, counties and regions across the state. The challenge: help the state initiate a long-range visioning project to help guide growth and development.

The Governor said he is “particularly delighted that Goshen and Platte counties have stepped forward to be the first regional project for Building the Wyoming We Want.”

As stated on its website, Building the Wyoming We Want focuses on “how to preserve the Wyoming that residents love while preparing for the changes associated with growth and development.”

Platte and Goshen’s two-county project is known as the High Plains Initiative.

Platte County Economic Development Executive Director Dan Brecht said the project would take steps to involve local residents on a large scale in planning for the future, possibly 25 years down the road.

“The purpose is to look ahead and decide what we think would be sound economic development for our communities and what things we cherish and wouldn’t want compromised as a result of any type of economic development,” Brecht said.

While Platte and Goshen counties had originally approached the Building the Wyoming We Want advisory committee as separate entities, Brecht said it makes sense that the two were jointly named the pilot project.

“We have some things that are in common. It’s more about the commonality that an area might have, rather than a county boundary,” Brecht said.

One glaring commonality is both Platte and Goshen counties are on the poor side of the spectrum when looking at Wyoming’s 23 counties. Other similarities include both being heavy agriculture counties and lacking of minerals.

“It’s more like a region that has similar problems and similar solutions,” Brecht said.

Lisa Johnson, Executive Director of the Goshen County Economic Development Corp., echoed Brecht’s comments, saying there are several similarities between the two counties.

“It only makes sense for us to work together to build on strengths together,” she said. “We’re excited for the opportunity to work on a regional basis with Platte County.”

Mary Hogarty, Project Coordinator for Building the Wyoming We Want, is also looking forward to the two counties working together.

“The larger region and scope, I think the more we can learn about Wyoming,” she said.

There will be a series of public meetings in the future regarding the High Plains Initiative. During these meetings people will be able to participate in discussions with regards to what they value most about their unique communities.

The next public meeting will be held in Torrington from 12-3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, at the Platte Valley Bank Conference Room.

In his letter, Governor Freudenthal stated that he would continue to offer his support and encouragement as the High Plains Initiative moves forward.

“This is important work, not only for your communities, but for the rest of the state as they watch to see how it’s done, and learn from your results,” Governor Freudenthal stated.

Brecht said this project will be an opportunity to get information and data that will help determine our fate.

“We all want this to succeed,” he said.

To learn more about Building the Wyoming We Want, visit www.buildingwyoming.org.

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