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‘Forward' hopes to entice Cody talent home

By Anthony McConnell


This document was published online on Wednesday, April 02, 2008

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Theresa Gunn of Engineering Associates returned to Cody about 12 years ago and is an example of Forward Cody’s “Bring ’Em Back Home” initiative. (Photo by Jasen Hansen)

Attracting new business owners and workers to Cody is much easier if they have roots in the community.

It's that notion that led Forward Cody CEO James Klessens to launch “Bring 'Em Back Home,” which aims to attract people who have left Cody to return.

“I could call every CEO in the country and leave a message for them to call me back, and 2-3 might do it,” Klessens said. “But if their grandmother calls them, grandma's going to get called back.”

While this concept is not new, it's one of the most successful and cost-effective economic development strategies, Klessens said.

“We don't have to sell people on Cody because they already know it,” Klessens said. “They know Cody is a great place to raise a family and a great place to live. We just have to educate them about the friendly business environment.”

Forward Cody's four-year goal is to create 400 new jobs that pay at least $33,000 per year and attract 100 young families to Cody. To achieve that goal, $1.7 million has been contributed by the community to the economic development group.

“We want to ask people, ‘Why is it that people have to live where they work?' and ‘Can you do that work in Cody?'” Klessens said. “People should work where they want to live.”

After meeting with local business owners, Klessens learned many people had left Cody, only to return later in life. He estimates 30 percent of Cody business owners or employees have left and returned to Cody.

“People are connected to this community like you can't believe,” Klessens said. “And everyone who grew up here has that connection.

“There are many stories in Cody about people coming back and being successful,” he added. “What we want to do with ‘Bring 'Em Back Home' is create more.”

Theresa Gunn, co-owner of Engineering Associates, is the type of person Klessens is looking for.

She graduated from Cody High School in 1983.

“I couldn't get out of Cody fast enough,” Gunn says. “That attitude is common among students.”

She started her journey from Cody by attending the University of Wyoming, where she earned a degree in civil engineering in 1988. She moved to Orange County, Calif., in 1989.

“There were no civil engineering jobs in Wyoming when I graduated,” Gunn said.

After a week in California she had three job offers. While living in California she met her husband Kenny who grew up in Gillette.

Then in 1995 the couple grew tired of paying $2,000 per month in rent and of the overall cost of living in California. They decided to return to Wyoming

Cody wasn't their first choice. They first considered Jackson where both had job offers, but after looking at salaries and cost of housing they thought about Cody.

Gunn quickly landed a job at Engineering Associates where she had interned for three years during college.

She added that returning to Cody has provided opportunities she likely wouldn't have had in California, such as being able to become a co-owner of the engineering firm.

“I was hesitant to come back, but I'm glad I did,” Gunn said. “There's less stress here.

“I would definitely recommend that anyone who grew up in Cody or Powell come back,” she added. “This is a great place to live.”
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Reader Comments

Melissa wrote on Apr 6, 2008 12:26 PM:

" I disagree with Jim's comment that Cody has changed so little. Remember when the rodeo was on top of the hill, Pamida was the "Super Walmart", fast food consisted of the A&W with the GREAT slide, that drive thru tunnel, and KFC (was Bud's a fast food joint?)until we were modernized with Pizza Hut and Wendy's? Remember when the fire department would spray parade goers, people would shoot their guns, and candy throwing wasn't dangerous? TWO drive in movie theaters! :) "

Jim Brady wrote on Apr 4, 2008 11:26 PM:

" About the comments about worried and wonders posted. I first moved to Cody in 1969. At that time there were approx. 5000 codyites. It has doubled in size in almost 40 years. That is on average growth of 125 per year. It is such a slow increase in population that it never seems like things are different. I get back to Cody at least every five years. Things still seem the same as always. I don't think Cody will ever be another Jackson even with a faster growth rate.

What this article is about is trying to get former Codyites to return and open a business. I feel those of us who grew up in Cody should always be welcome to return. "

wonder wrote on Apr 3, 2008 11:04 AM:

" This is an interesting concept, however, I agree with 'worried' and hate to see the town I grew up in and have visited and stayed numerous times
since, turn into some type of 'mecca' for those who think they have discovered it. Stay as it is now and even then it has changed so much since I left it. "

worried wrote on Apr 3, 2008 9:42 AM:

" Cody is a small town and hopefully always will be. We need to quit trying to turn it into Jackson or even a mini Billings. The people who live and work here like the small town and the comfort of raising their families here. If you dont liek the pay of the jobs or the shopping areas or even the amount of diveristy then let me say this "MOVE" "

Jim Brady wrote on Apr 3, 2008 12:22 AM:

" This is a very good idea. We have some awesome talent from us people who grew up in Cody but had to leave due to better opportunities. When I left Cody in 98 my goal was to return to Cody and bring back the talents i have learned in other parts of the country. I am a Chef trained by Emeril from tv and am making plans on returning to Cody to operate an awesome restaurant someday. "

R Davis wrote on Apr 2, 2008 7:33 PM:

" I would love to move back to Cody. But there are no jobs. "

crazy wrote on Apr 2, 2008 6:12 PM:

" Show me a family that could survive on $30,000 a year IN CODY... I doubt you will find one... "

 

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