2020 Highlights
Goshen County Rewind
In this big land with open opportunities where small business is big businesses, we continued to focus efforts on economic development, chamber, travel and tourism, downtown and main street development, and lodging tax board.
Platinum Members
A special thank you to our Platinum and Diamond Members...
Thank you for your continuing support of Goshen Economic Development. We hope to continue our mission on to the next year and extend our support to small businesses in Goshen County.
Diamond Members
Progress Program Awards
Made possible through our quarter cent sales tax for economic development
Total of $172,365.20 was awarded to our business, non-profit, and municipalities.
We provided Emergency Assistance Grants to 47 Goshen County businesses in order to help support those directly affected by COVID-19 shutdowns.
Total of 249 awards since the inception of the Progress Program totaling $1.2 million.
Ribbon Cuttings &
Business After Hours
Accuscreen Mobile Drug Testing
Old Moose Mercantile
Wyoming Wind Counseling
Orbis Advantage
Health Thyme
Deines Irrigation
Gremlin Garage & Blasting
Lingle Community Center
Lingle received a total of $50,000 from the Progress Program which is funded by the 1/4 cent sales tax for economic development.
Community Development
Walking Path
Torrington Rotary Club Of Torrington, WY walking path expansion project. The Torrington Rotary Club was awarded $5,000 from ¼ cent sales tax for Economic Development.
StoryWalk in Torrington
Goshen County Library, the Library Foundation, and the City of Torrington for their collaboration to create the StoryWalk. They established reading stations along the walking path for families to enjoy a little storybook while they walk in Catipillar Park.
Funding for Farm Walls
In February Sandy Hoehn, Community Development Director wrote a grant for Farmwalls through the Wyoming Business Council. The Bio-Logic Designs Farm Wall grants are funded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Grant and administered by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. The Bio-Logic Designs Farm walls are small, vertical aquaponic growing systems that don’t require soil. The WBC granted 13 awards in seven communities throughout the state.
Goshen County Main Street received 4 walls at $600.00 each with the Economic Development and Chamber covering half the cost making them available for $300.00 to municipalities. Walls were placed in Fort Laramie, Lingle, and Torrington. Staff, volunteers, and even Mayors pitched in to get plants planted and growing for Goshen County. We are in the works with the Goshen County Extension to bring the Goshen County Wyoming - Master Gardeners into the classroom next year to teach Goshen County Students how to grow the seedlings, where they will be transported into the walls for all of Goshen County to enjoy. We hope to keep agriculture alive in Goshen County.
2nd Annual
Honoring our Local Heroes Banner Program


In June 1942, the world got a lot larger for a farm boy from Lingle. 
That was when George Friederick Hill received his draft notice. He was sworn into the United States Army on June 3, 1942...
Loved ones wrote stories in honor of our Goshen County Local Heroes to commemorate Veteran's Day. Read all the stories here...
Torrington Farmers Market
Moved the Torrington Farmers Market to downtown Torrington in combination with 3rd Thursdays.
Groundbreaking Progress
Assisted Living Center
Broke ground on the Evergreen Plaza Assisted Living Facility. Paul Novak was recognized earlier in the year for his tireless efforts on behalf of Goshen County’s senior population. He has servicing these 45 years in various roles. In his own words….

“When you think with your heart and your head . . . look what we can accomplish.”  
Industrial Hemp Fields
Early this year, Wyoming's plan to grow industrial hemp was approved by the USDA. This lucrative market offers Goshen County an opportunity to become a key producer in the industry...
Awards
Awards given throughout the year of 2020
Bob Taylor

The Big Chief Award
Exemplary Leadership and Service to Goshen County

Paul Novak

Newman Horizon Award
A Vision Beyond the Horizon
Schlagel Manufacturing

Ag Business of the Year Award
Goshen County Big Land, Devoted Pioneers
Bronco Bar and Grill

Ag Business of the Year Award
Goshen County Big Land, Limitless Pioneering
Forest Mast, Cherry Creek Metals

Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Goshen County Big Land, Open Opportunity
Dorothy Hicks, Goshen County Caring and Sharing

Goshen County Big Land, Open Heart
Volunteer of the Year Award
Val Hankins, Goshen County Road and Bridge

Big Land, Open Skies
Star Employee of the Year Award
Congratulations,
Torrington Volunteer Fire Department for 100 years of service!

Thank you for your dedication to Goshen County!
Graduations
Congratulations to our Goshen Economic Development Incubator Graduates of 2020!
Wendy George
Wyoming Winds Counseling
Nona Kindsvater
Health Thyme 
Lodging Tax Board
Goshen Economic Development lobbied on behalf of the Lodging Tax Board for the renewal of the lodging tax. Proceeds are administered by the Goshen County Tourism Promotion Joint Powers Board. In turn, the Lodging Tax Board disburses the funds through grant programs and marketing of Goshen County to potential visitors.
The Grant Program has awarded over $321,000 to events such as:
  • Torrington Little Britches
  • LaGrange Mini Fair
  • Goshen County Quilt Show
  • Yee-Haw Daze

Marketing efforts resulted in 116,000 overnight visitors in 2019.
  • These travelers spent $33.8 million in Goshen County, which generated $600,000 in sales tax.
Our efforts last year secured Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) relief funds on behalf of the Lodging Tax Board for a total of $41,463.30. These funds were used to market Goshen County nationally and internationally.
New Member of the Team
Moriah Brist
Visitor Center Manager
moriah@goshenwyo.com
307-532-3879
Moriah Brist is the Visitor Center Manager. She handles tourism inquiries, provides residents and non-residents with information, promotes tourism, businesses, and organizations on all social media platforms. Moriah is a recent graduate of the University of Wyoming with a BS degree in Marketing and a concentration in Customer Experience. Before living in Goshen County, Moriah worked in customer service for nine years and has a passion for working with small businesses. She enjoys hunting and fishing with her family and boyfriend. Moriah believes that small businesses are the heart and soul of a community.
Goshen Economic Development | www.goshenwyo.com