Economic Development
The goal of economic development in Sheridan County is to increase the value of and/or the number of transactions that bring money into the county, and to keep that money circulating longer so that the total wealth in Sheridan County grows faster than the population. Ideally, this is accomplished through the development of a sustainable economy in which wealth creation is not solely reliant upon utilization of nonrenewable resources.
In any given community, 80% of a local economy is created by existing business, while 20% comes from growth through attraction of new business. This section of the website contains information for local businesses and prospective businesses to understand what is available to them to help their businesses grow in the Sheridan area and to continue to support an economy that grows faster than the population in the county.
Forward Sheridan achieves Economic Development growth through the following activities:
- Local Business Retention and Expansion Activities -- Forward Sheridan's Board of Directors and staff are committed to responding to the needs expressed by local businesses by providing access to resources to enhance their growth and economic viability. Through one-on-one visits to at least 100 businesses annually, Forward Sheridan staff are in touch on a grass roots level and are able to provide businesses with access to resources locally, regionally, or nationally. Additionally, if an issue is widespread and requires immediate attention, Forward Sheridan staff are available to bring together organizations and necessary resources to address an issue to the benefit of the entire business community (i.e. workforce shortage, housing shortage, child care, etc. are all areas with which Forward Sheridan is partnering and combining resources with other organizations to effect long-term, community-wide solutions).
- Business Attraction Activities -- In February 2007, Forward Sheridan contracted with Wadley-Donovan Group to conduct a Target Industry Study, which was completed in June 2007. This study provides guidance regarding industries and companies that are "good fit" industries for our communities. To download the Target Industry Study, click here (or click on the "Research" button in the navigation bar at the bottom of the page), and select the segments of the study of interest to you. This information, coupled with information obtained through Industry Cluster meetings, will help Forward Sheridan staff recruit businesses to the area that can grow and prosper in harmony with existing businesses in our area.