September 20, 2019 | Community Spotlight: Big Horn Basin, Wyoming | 
Shopko Retail Store, recipient of the 2019 Innovation Award presented by the Wyoming Economic Development Association. Photo credit: WEDA
A project focused on helping communities recover from the closing of Shopko stores was presented the 2019 Innovation Award during the Wyoming Economic Development Association’s annual Wyoming Working Together Conference. Held at the Cam-Plex Event Facility in Gillette September 4-6, more than 100 community leaders and business owners attended the 3-day conference. The award recognizes a project significantly impacting the community and its citizens.
WEDA recognizes participants involved in a Wyoming innovative economic development project that highlights best practices and significantly impacts a Wyoming community and its citizens. The award is intended to celebrate the partnerships, innovative aspects and economic development impact of a project.
In collaboration with the Small Business Development Center, local economic development organizations and community leaders, the Wyoming Business Council contracted with Matt Wagner, Vice President of Revitalization Programs for the National Main Street Center to launch an initiative addressing the closure of four regional Shopko stores. Throughout the project, potential retailer and project gaps were identified, while highlighting opportunities for business expansions and startups, including resources to build a more robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Four communities in Northwest Wyoming, along with more than a dozen additional communities throughout the state, experienced a significant economic event with the store closures. Through a process that involved an evaluation of retail gaps, identification of potential opportunities for local downtown businesses, and a long-term project for developing regional ecosystem, this project provided a pathway for mitigating the negative economic impacts.
WEDA is a statewide nonprofit professional association representing nearly 200 economic development members and organizations. WEDA members are active in developing strong professional development goals and mentoring programs while encouraging members to gain economic credentials to keep workforce and business in the state of Wyoming.
Submitted by Wyoming Economic Development Association