North of the Border
Cody Wyoming makes its mark among the ranks with its sister communities.

Wyoming continues to surprise economic development analysts with its influx of national and global enterprises. Not surprising to Gene Bryan, Executive Director of the Cody Economic Development Council is the regional growth. "We are not "booming" like our sister communities like Cheyenne, Gillette, Rock Springs/Green River, Pinedale/Big Piney, but we have enjoyed some excellent growth and new developments in virtually every area," says Bryan. "Park County (Cody, Powell, Meeteetse) probably reflects the Wyoming economy in microcosm better than any of the other 22 counties in the Cowboy State, i.e., we feature agriculture, energy, tourism and a growing light manufacturing base."
Energy Development
"There is increased activity in the energy business in the Big Horn Basin, certainly not akin to what's going on in the Powder River Basin, Pinedale Anticline, Jonah Field areas," says Bryan, "But it's exciting stuff nonetheless." Cody-based Marathon and Iron Creek Energy/Nielsen & Associates are both engaged in new exploration as well as secondary/tertiary recovery efforts in old standbys like Oregon Basin, Elk Basin and some new areas, as well. As communities continue to be recognized for their contribution to a very growth oriented state, the entirety of Wyoming reaps the benefits.

Manufacturing
According to Bryan, in the past year Cody has seen increasing activity on the manufacturing front in a variety of forms.

Specifically, Cody Laboratories, which manufactures pharmaceuticals for clients, who include some of the largest drug companies in the world. Ric Asherman, who had moved to Wyoming to start another business, founded Cody Laboratories in 2000. "If you interviewed Mr. Asherman, who is also a Business Council board member, you would find that he moved here for the quality of life and the low cost of doing business," says Rachel Girt of the Wyoming Business Council.

The more rural setting of Cody has not prevented the company from hiring some of the most skilled professionals in the world. The company's primary goal is to manufacture the highest quality generic bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients while providing the finest quality customer service available in the industry. Cody Laboratories is the only Schedule II facility in Wyoming. Colorado has five, there are two in Utah and Montana has none. Cody Laboratories has grown quickly. Since applying for a pharmaceutical license in 2000, the business has moved from a 5,600-square-foot facility to a manufacturing site located on approximately 16 acres with an 80,000 square foot climate controlled manufacturing building. This year they continue with their expansion efforts and have added new products within the past year and now employ more than 35 chemists, technicians and support personnel.

"BPB Manufacturing, formerly Celotex, introduced a new plastic coated wallboard within the past year and a half, a product they did all the research and design for at the Cody plant," says Bryan. "They've expanded their Cody operation within the past year, added new office space and extended the life of the plant by "at least 15 years" with the introduction of the new product. It's our understanding that BPB, a British-based firm, was recently purchased by another international wallboard manufacturing firm (French), but the Cody plant will not be affected by the purchase."

Cody is also known for a niche market in western furniture. Cody is the center of western design furniture manufacturing with seven firms calling Cody home. John Gallis of Norseman Designs West is currently building a new production center/showroom/office with assistance from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for infrastructure assistance from the Wyoming Business Council. Santos Furniture moved into a new facility within the past year, and How Kola and New West have both been busy with new market development by attending trade shows all across the country.

The Western Design Conference which showcases the "Cody Style" furniture along with western design furniture and fashion from other designs is a fixture of the week-long Rendezvous Royal activities the fourth weekend of September along with the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale and the Patrons Ball of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. This week-long celebration of the arts also includes artist demonstrations at local art and photography galleries and studio tours of many of the dozen or so artists who call the area home.

Cody's growth can partly be attributed to many already existing headquartered companies, however the attraction is growing. Display Structures moved its headquarters and main manufacturing plant to Cody from Billings, MT, within this past year. Manufacturers of trade show display booths, the firm will introduce a new product line at this spring's major trade shows and they expect to double their footprint at their Cody plant within the next year.

Tourism
Cody is responding to the ever increasing tourism interest, with three new/refurbished accommodations projects currently under way. Ev and Susan Diehl recently purchased the historic Pawnee Hotel last fall and are currently refurbishing and upgrading the property into a high end boutique property that will include 24 rooms. The renovation project is a complete renovation which showcases the seriousness and personal interest in such an enormous project.

Kit Cody, the great grandson of Buffalo Bill Cody, is also adding to the special interest value of Cody by building a brand new all-suite property, 54 units, adjacent to his Frontier Motel on top of the Greybull Hill. The Cody Legacy Inn will have a swimming pool, sauna/spa as part of the amenities package for the new property. Adding to the list is The Cody Cowboy Village -an all new 50-unit upscale log cabin property on Cody's West Strip adjacent to historic Old Trail Town. Owner Bill Thielmann says the property will cater to the high end motorcycle market and amenities will include concierge service and wash racks for the motorcycles-a new concept not only for Cody but Wyoming, as well. Bill Garlow, another great grandson of the founder of the town, recently completed construction on a new lobby/continental breakfast area for his Best Western Sunset Motor Inn.

Having community members take historical pride in their heritage is a value prospect many communities do not have and with such significant names, Cody is developing into a serious vacation destination prospect.

Destinations that appeal to the surroundings are among top travel picks. Catering to this concept is the K3 Guest Ranch -an upscale ranch-based bed and breakfast operation on the outskirts of Cody opened for business this past summer. The bedrooms feature beds made from authentic chuck wagons and hay wagons. New this year will be half day and full day "Day Ranch" packages for guests who want to observe and/or participate in day-to-day ranch activities. An ideal corporate incentive package for companies in and outside of Wyoming.

Bryan believes that along with the rest of Wyoming, Cody is facing challenges related to workforce recruiting and workforce housing, but consider those "positive" challenges because it means things are happening.