NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2013

Volume 4 Issue 1                                                                                                                                 January 2013

SLIB Approves $5.4 Million Cirrus Sky Grant

Laramie’s $5.4 million Business Ready Community grant through the Wyoming Business Council to develop the Cirrus Sky Technology Park (CSTP) was approved January 19^th by the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB).  This approval enables the City of Laramie to purchase 149 acres north of Laramie and begin installing infrastructure this year.  According to City Manager, Janine Jordan, “We still need to do final engineering, but my hope is roughly June or July, we can break ground.”

“In the meantime,” remarked Megan Goetz, LEDC Chair, “LEDC will work aggressively to market the park to potential tenants. We already have businesses that are interested, so now it’s a matter of updating them and putting the plans and presentations together of how the site would work for them. That’s what LEDC is all about…accommodating our existing businesses, as well as new businesses.”

Some have referred to SLIB’s approval of Laramie’s Business Ready Community grant “the end of the beginning” on the journey to make Cirrus Sky Technology Park a reality. It’s a journey that has taken almost two years thus far.  Partners that have led the journey – LEDC, the City of Laramie, and the University of Wyoming  -- recently submitted a letter to the editors for both Laramie’s Boomerang and the Casper Star-Tribune.  The letter provides a concise overview of the genesis; rationale; plans; and public involvement, including input as well as financial contributions, which have been integral to CSTP’s progress. (Click here for the complete letter.)

According to Gaye Stockman, LEDC’s President and CEO, “The support Cirrus Sky has generated from citizens and businesses throughout Albany County has been simply amazing. We’ve received all types of public input regarding this project from its beginning. Both the positive encouragements and the critical comments have resulted in improvements in our plans and vision for Cirrus Sky. This input has also strengthened our resolve for the successful development of this valuable asset in our community. We sincerely thank all who are supporting our efforts.”    

Source Office and Technology

Partner In Progress Recognition

Source Office & Technology, formerly Source Office Products, is one of Laramie’s premier retail businesses that just keeps on growing. It is growing in regional outreach; with expanding lines of office products, supplies and services; and with a burgeoning use of technology in the way it goes to market.  

From a regional perspective, Source Office & Technology has been doing business through its Wyoming headquarters in Laramie and its existing locations in Gillette and Sheridan for the past four years.  According to Shane Cox, Wyoming Regional Vice President for Source, “Effective with the beginning of 2013, the Laramie headquarters has opened new locations in Casper and Cheyenne.”

Shane added, “We are simply thrilled to be able to extend our markets into these communities. With the recent withdrawal of Wyoming Stationery from the market, Source saw a unique opportunity to fill the void and expand its geographical footprint in Wyoming.” Consequently, Source purchased specific assets and employed certain needed staffing from Wyoming Stationery. Shane remarked, “Our hope is to earn the privilege of serving customer needs throughout Wyoming. Doing so not only fortifies business activity in our regional locations, but also contributes to the creation of funding for primary jobs here in Laramie.” 

Source Office & Technology has over 22 years of experience as a full-service Office Supplier and Hewlett Packard Printer Distributor. Office Supplies has been its core business and Source is well-equipped to handle a full range of office supply needs. Source is also a Hewlett Packard Elite dealer, offering the full lineup of HP printers, including OEM parts and supplies. Certified Technicians and Specialists are available to revitalize existing equipment or help with the purchase of new HP machines to meet individual customer needs. Source has also expanded its office services into Commercial Printing.

Shane Cox further explained, “We are now also in the business of bundling our customers’ printer and supply needs into a comprehensive Managed Print Solution package. In many cases, Managed Print not only saves money, but also makes our customers’ lives easier.”

Additionally, Source Office & Technology is a full Office Furniture dealer and offers a large variety of Manufacturers from which to choose. It has partnered with HON to provide furniture to the State of Wyoming at state contract prices. In addition to furniture selection, Source provides product consulting, space planning and design, and installation services.  

And now, to round out its complement of office services, Source Office & Technology provides a full spectrum of Break Room Supplies, as well as quality Janitorial and Sanitation services and supplies.  

There’s a good reason for the word “Technology” being added to the Source Office name. Source Office & Technology conducts a major part of its business through its website. Shane revealed, “If you enjoy purchasing through a website, you will be delighted to learn how easy and resourceful our site is. You can enter orders, conduct searches for virtually anything you’d like, enter returns, make numerous “favorites” lists by user and even “click to chat” to contact a customer service representative immediately. It’s awesome and we can’t wait for our customers to realize its benefits.”

For more information about Source Office & Technology, call 307-745-8483 or visit SourceOT.com.

LEDC January Client Report

Click here for information pertaining to current "Hot-Active" client prospects. Please keep in mind that LEDC keeps all identifying information relating to its clients as confidential, unless LEDC is specifically instructed otherwise by the client.

Our best Laramie leads typically come through references from existing businesses and residents. So, feel free to contact us if you have potential leads. Remember, you could earn up to $10,000.00 in cash reward for an information tip that leads to the location of a quality business in the City of Laramie and/or Albany County. Let us know if you would like more information regarding "LEDC's LEADS Reward Program," or have questions regarding LEDC's commercial properties.

LEDC CREATES WEBPAGE FOR BUSINESS FEEDBACK ON UDC

The Laramie Economic Development Corporation has created a webpage on its www.laramiewy.org website to serve as a vehicle for gathering community feedback and recommendations regarding Laramie’s Unified Development Code (UDC). Of particular interest are comments from people in the business community who have encountered difficulties complying with the UDC on matters relating to commercial and industrial buildings and sites. 

This new LEDC webpage is accessed by clicking on “Unified Development Code” under the “Existing Businesses” tab of the LEDC website.

LEDC President & CEO, Gaye Stockman noted, “Last year, our Industrial Properties Committee created a UDC sub-committee specifically for the purpose of identifying and addressing modifications to the UDC. The sub-committee focuses on provisions of the Code perceived to be particularly troublesome for the expansion and growth of both existing and new businesses considering opportunities in the City of Laramie.”

Shortly after its formation, LEDC’s UDC sub-committee developed a matrix of recommendations pertaining to the pragmatic use of metal buildings and chain link fencing. It is currently working on Code issues pertaining to landscaping, parking lots and pre-existing non-conforming applications.

Dr. David Walrath, Chair of LEDC’s Industrial Properties Committee, stated, “We understand that the Unified Development Code is a living document -- a document that can continue to be modified over time based on reasonable and prudent justification. We are encouraged by the City of Laramie’s willingness to analyze and act upon recommended improvements to the Code, and hope to provide this mechanism for continued citizen input.”    

With regard to LEDC’s new website tool for fostering UDC feedback, Randy Hunt, Community Development Director for the City of Laramie, said, “Effective UDC planning and administration can only benefit when citizens and businesses provide constructive input and feedback. That type of communications is healthy, because it expands the City’s scope of analysis, assessment and the flow of ideas.”      

For more information pertaining to LEDC’s UDC sub-committee activities or for assistance in submitting feedback to the UDC webpage feel free to call (307)-742-2212.

2013 GRO-Biz Conference & Idea Expo 

PLAN TO ATTEND
Just a Few Weeks Away!

U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, Governor Matt Mead,
and the 2013 GRO-Biz Conference and Idea Expo
Planning Committee welcome all small busineses
to attend this information packed annual event.

FEBRUARY 19-21, 2013
CODY, WYOMING -- HOLIDAY INN

Click here for REGISTRATION INFORMATION and more details.

Thanks to Our Investors

With gratitude to our investors who provided LEDC financial support during the month of January 2013: 

• Brown & Hiser
• David & Christel Walrath
• Dodds Shoe Company, Inc.
• Farm Bureau Financial Services - Matt Thornton
• Firehole Composites
• Spine & Injury Clinic of Laramie
• The Mortgage Source, Inc.
• Young Appraisals, LLC