Public is invited to next meeting on Economic Development Corporation proposal: Nov. 17

SIDNEY -- Sarah Sinnett and Cory Keen, acting president and vice-president of E3, met with the Cheyenne County Commissioners Monday.

 The meeting was held to discuss an economic development corporation proposal. Prior to addressing the proposal, Sinnett provided a brief history of E3.

"E3 stands for Energizing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. It was a pilot program that was created through the Nebraska Community Foundation. They actually approached us because of what Sidney was going through at the time. They actually approached us because of what Sidney was going through at the time," she said.

The invitation came as Cabela's was leaving Sidney, Sinnett added.

"Simply put, the premise behind it is economic development is starting to change in communities, but it's not impossible, but it's unlikely that you're going to bring in a company to this town of 10,000 people and get that started off the ground. So, really, what this is focusing on is growing our own entrepreneurs and businesses to be successful in a rural community," she said.

She said as part of the E3 experience, tours were held of participating communities including Valley County/Ord, Keith County, Holt County, Red Cloud, Sidney and McCook. 

"When we would go to these communities, we did as part of this -- it was a three-year program -- we would go to these other communities in Nebraska. We wouldn't just go there for a day. We'd spend several days in each community learning how they do things, why they're successful, what that looks like," she said.

Through a tour of Kansas, E3 partnered with Sidney High School for the Youth Entrepreneurship Competition (YEC). Sinnett announced the next YEC will be held in the spring.

E3 has two paid staff: Technical Grant Writer Melissa Norgard and Navigator Alisha Juelfs. Sinnett stressed E3 has never turned anyone away. She said they are working with three clients interested in developing in the industrial park in Sidney. They are also working with 59 Properties regarding the former Cabela's corporate building. She said good news is expected soon.

She said all the communities they worked with recommended forming an economic development corporation. She said she feels the approach is often too divided; having all services in one location would be more efficient.

"This is not a big business coming into Sidney, or Cheyenne County to take things over. I'll actually just read you the definition I got off of Google. 'It's a non-profit organization created to promote economic growth in a specific geographic area by attracting new businesses, helping existing ones expand and creating jobs,'" she said.

Sinnett said the proposal includes the two paid positions already with E3, and an executive director. E3's goal is to raise $3.5 million in five years and it will be deposited in an endowment. She said they are willing to have an annual contract with performance metrics.

Commissioner Phil Sanders said economic development needs to include more than one person.

"We've been doing for .. oh, I've been here 11 years about to finish my last year. We've ... we haven't done anything. We've had directors, and I'm not picking on them. I think that it was too much for one person," Sanders said.