Two new entities seek funding from general purpose tax

WORLAND - The Washakie Development Association and Worland Youth Learning Center are hoping to be included in the general purpose one-cent sales tax for the next four years, if the tax is continued by voters.

The two organizations would be new entities added to the distribution of the tax that comes before voters every four years.

Other organizations on the tax and seeking to continue to be included in the distribution are the Worland and Ten Sleep senior centers, Crisis Prevention and Response Center, Worland Community Center, City of Worland and Town of Ten Sleep.

The Worland Fire Protection District No. 1 is currently receiving funds for the ladder truck purchased in 2018. Funds are used to pay off the truck lease. The district is not seeking additional funding and will be dropped from the distribution if the tax continues.

Washakie County is still considering their options for funding the ambulance services in the Worland and Ten Sleep areas.

The Washakie County Historic Preservation Commission had initially expressed interest, seeking $1,000 annually from the tax. Mike Bies of the Commission said since it is such a small amount they have opted to seek the funding annually from the county commissioners.

The Northern Wyoming News will be profiling the organizations seeking funding over the next four weeks prior to the launch of a public survey where county residents will be asked to rank the organizations in order to determine percentage of distribution.

This week the newest organizations are profiled.

WORLAND YOUTH LEARNING CENTER

In its letter to the commissioners, the Worland Youth Learning Center Executive Director Shannon Christian and Board President Delores Cook wrote, " The Worland Youth Learning Center (WYLC) requests 1-cent sales tax funds to help pay for afterschool and summer learning program expenses. The WYLC provides programming to over 100 children per year, many of whom would not otherwise have a safe place to go after school or in the summer. We offer an engaging and educational environment filled with enriching STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities, project-based learning, hands-on learning, mentoring, community projects and summer jobs.

"We work closely with local school teachers to align students' learning with their regular school work. Providing high-quality afterschool programming has immediate and far-reaching benefits for our community, as evidence has shown that after school programs positively impact a range of issues including students' academic success, school engagement, school-day attendance, grade promotion, graduation and health and wellness.

"Our after school and summer hours also give parents peace of mind, allowing them to work a full schedule and be more productive on the job."

Current funding for the Worland Youth Learning Center comes from the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.

Christian, in an interview this week said their operating budget runs about $155,500. They also receive funding from the Newell Sargent Foundation and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant.

Services are free at the center, although a $25 per student donation is accepted to purchase supplies.

If approved the funding from the one-cent general purpose tax would go toward operations, particularly the summer programs.

Board member Sheri Gunderson said the funding would ensure that there was enough staffing and supplies for the summer program that runs 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The afterschool program runs 3:20 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 2-6 p.m. on Fridays due to the school district's early release on Fridays.

While percentages for distribution will not be set until the survey is complete, the Learning Center is seeking $25,000 annually from the tax, but Gunderson and Christian both noted any funding would help.

Gunderson added that while the center's primary avenue of funding is the 21st Century grant, the grant is not a long-term funding tool but it is hoped programs would find more sustainable funding and the sales tax would be a step in that direction.

Christian noted that while they rent their space in the Worland Community Center they receive no funding from the center, but rather pay a monthly rental fee.

She said they are averaging 50 to 55 children after school and are anticipating more than 100 this summer with registrations under way. They serve students in all grades but it is students in kindergarten through fifth grade that are mostly enrolled at the center.

High school students serve as volunteers and Christian said each year they have one student work with the school-to-work program.

Lunch and snacks are offered in the summer and there is a snack served at the start of the afterschool program, Christian said.

Gunderson added, "As a board member I want the community to understand that the Youth Learning Center plays an essential role in the community." She said there are not other options for afterschool programs for students with parents who are working.

"We serve a hundred kids and there is no where else for them to go," Gunderson said.

WASHAKIE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

According to its statement to the commissioners on why they are seeking funding from the general purpose one-cent sales tax, the WDA will help "businesses succeed and Washakie County grow. Funds will be used to attract new primary jobs such as the most recent recruitment of Unique Precision Industries."

Unique Precision Industries is relocating to Worland from California.

Also included in the WDA statement, "Funds will also be utilized to expand existing local businesses much like assisting Amish Origins in growing by WDA having the needed facility. Funds will be used to engineer and create shovel-ready infrastructure improvement projects in the Industrial Addition of Worland (around North Fourth Street), where increased investment is happening and new jobs are being created."

The WDA emphasized in its statement that sales tax funding would not be used for operational purposes including salaries.

WDA Executive Director LeAnn Baker said, "Economic development changes every day and if an opportunity pops up, if you are not ready it is an opportunity lost."

She said when the WDA has owned buildings it has been an opportunity for businesses to expand, such as the building in the industrial park off of 15 Mile Road, and the building on South Flat Road where Amish Origins is now located.

Baker said the greatest priority for the WDA is infrastructure improvement, especially in the Industrial Addition where Unique Precision Industries is located, where Ten Sleep Brewery's new location is, where Crown Cork & Seal is expanding and where buildings are being purchased for new businesses.

Baker said the WDA operational budget is membership driven. The membership fees are used to help obtain grant funding for the overall budget.

According to its website, the WDA mission "is to sustain and grow Washakie County's vibrant economy and outstanding quality of life by providing resources for business creation, expansion, retention, new business recruitment and community development."

Board members are President Matt Schneider, Vice President Tom McKinnon, Secretary Kayla Bryant, Treasurer Tad DeBolt, Aaron Anderson from the Washakie County commissioners, Connie Sweeney from the Ten Sleep Council, Worland Mayor Jim Gill; Terry Sutherland, Becky Dooley and Jeremy White.