In just a few short years, the organization formerly known as the Goshen County Economic Development Corp in Wyoming has undergone considerable change, and has made it through some hard times to emerge into a new dawn.
In August 2023, the organization officially changed its name to Go Goshen to unify the branding of its four areas of service: economic development, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street program, and tourism. CEO Brian Young says that having these four key aspects under one umbrella is important for the new branding to communicate, as the previous name was felt to emphasize only the economic development aspect of its operations.
Indeed, when it comes to the city of Torrington, as well as Goshen County’s other four municipalities, Go Goshen has so much more than just economic development to offer its corner of Wyoming.
The Go Goshen name change came about after several other entities in Wyoming and nationally began using names that expressed forward momentum and a focus on action (Forward Cody, Advance Casper, Cheyenne Leads). Also, being a much shorter name, the crisp “Go Goshen” rebrand will help businesses and visitors alike. On top of the rebrand, the organization hired a marketing firm to help spread the word, along with commissioning a new website to suit its revitalized image. So far, the rebrand has achieved the goal of bringing the agency’s various programs under one roof, which represents a symbolic coming together as well as a large step forward for ease of access, advertising of local businesses, and brand recognition.
A boom in Goshen County
Much has changed for the better for Go Goshen, beyond its new name, since Business in Focus’ previous article in 2019. Only five years ago, Goshen County boasted just one business in its expansive Cold Springs Business Park; now, ground has been broken on a fourth new business in the park, the second within the past year.
Bomgaars, a farm and ranch supplier, is one of those four. Each site ranges in size from around 1.5 to 3.35 acres and with plenty of room for neighboring businesses. Activity is picking up as well as awareness, Young says, with more enterprises and a growing population making the area more attractive to new businesses. The development is slated to continue, and with over 20 lots available, Young anticipates more success to come.
In the meantime, the downtown area of Torrington has continued to thrive. Despite many other small-town Main Streets across America taking a hit due to new business drying up, Young says Torrington’s Main Street has only continued to flourish. Thanks to Go Goshen’s Progress Program, a local matching grant for economic development projects, many businesses can now afford renovations like remodeling and new signage, creating a vibrant downtown area distinct from other locations in the country.
Building on success
Community activities continue to bring life and presence to the various areas comprising Goshen County. Young says that between two and three thousand people were recently on hand for Halloween festivities in the Main Street area, and a similar number were present at the Christmas parade. He also shares with us the success of a recent summer concert series in Torrington and other municipalities, thanks in no small part to local community sponsors.
The continuation of the quarter-penny sales tax, too, has been advantageous for the community after originally being implemented in 2006. Young says that it continues to be important in a political environment where it’s tough to get new taxes passed, and that Go Goshen’s ability to do so reflects its role as the steward of these funds.
For new businesses seeking a home, Young says that Goshen County is a business-friendly environment, especially with its relaxed zoning requirements. “The State of Wyoming has no personal or corporate income taxes, which is big, especially if you live and work here,” he says, noting that this tax opportunity is rarely offered in America today. And Goshen County sports an abundance of natural resources with low land prices, especially compared to its neighboring states and nearby metropolitan areas. One can locate a business in Goshen County, enjoy a tax and zoning-friendly environment, and still be close to big-city amenities.
Through it all, Goshen County maintains a small-town feel that so many areas regret losing. The past five years have been tumultuous for countless businesses across the world thanks to COVID-19 and its repercussions. Thankfully, the county was able to weather the storm far better than many other communities, says Young.
Most counties in Wyoming saw a decrease in sales tax revenue during the pandemic, while Goshen did not. This may have been because Goshen County is largely agricultural and less susceptible to the cycles of boom and bust that the oil, gas, or mining industries bring. While the exact reason is still unclear, Young says that the big lesson of it all is that the economic climate in Goshen County has survived many ups and downs. “We can rise through economic challenges of any size,” he says.
Careful growth
Having begun his tenure as CEO on September 1, 2024, Young has big plans for Go Goshen but is mindful of impacting the precious small-town feel of the five communities in the county. Nevertheless, heading into 2025, Go Goshen will look to grow the businesses already present while welcoming new ones—especially from industries that will provide work for young people from the area who want to stay close to home.
Having been in Wyoming for a while himself, as well as a business owner in a state that imposed both corporate and personal income taxes, Young says that this makes a huge difference for people in his former position. He also refers to Goshen County’s smaller population but sizeable land area when he adds, “This is a really good state and county to do business in.”
To be sure, Goshen County has a good story and a new brand that can get that story out. It offers an affordable environment in a nation rapidly becoming increasingly unaffordable. There are so many reasons to Go Goshen.
