SIDNEY – The Sidney City Council will hold a special meeting Monday, Oct. 6, at noon to address two topics: electric rates and the future of economic development in the city and Cheyenne County.

The meeting will include an Economic Development Strategy Workshop facilitated by Interim City Manager Josh Hanson. City council members, Cheyenne County commissioners, city staff, members of the Economic Development Citizens Advisory Committee, representatives from Energizing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (E3), the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce and the public are invited to participate.

The stated objective of the workshop is to explore the most effective and sustainable structure for economic development in the county. Options under review include forming a new nonprofit Economic Development Corporation (EDC), continuing city-led efforts or other partnership models.

The agenda calls for presentations by stakeholders, discussions by elected officials and staff, and an open forum for public input. Organizers said no final decisions will be made during Monday’s session. Instead, the workshop is intended to provide clarity on governance models, community vision and next steps.

E3 has presented a draft proposal that would dissolve its current organization and absorb the city’s economic development responsibilities through the creation of an EDC. The plan calls for an executive director, entrepreneurial navigator and grant writer, with funding shared among the City of Sidney, Cheyenne County, E3 and Western Nebraska Community College (providing office space for five years). After five years, the EDC would seek to establish a $3.5 million endowment supported by philanthropic funding.

The city also outlined its current economic development framework. The department is funded primarily by the City of Sidney, which contributes about 80 percent of the budget, with Cheyenne County covering the remaining 20 percent. For the upcoming fiscal year, the city has budgeted about $202,172. Staffing challenges have persisted, with four directors in the past five years and lengthy vacancies between hires.

Council goals, based on its economic development plan, include further development of the I-80 corridor, expansion of the industrial park, downtown revitalization projects, support for existing businesses, attraction of new industries and broader economic diversification.

The special meeting will be held at Sidney City Hall, 1115 13th Ave., and is open to the public.