City needs economic developer

We’re happy to see interest in developing the Lincoln High School tracts of land in the northwest side of Green River.

The site of the former high school and park has long been eyed as a potential place for housing development. With the sale of the so-called Tract A, we can only hope that means development on Tract B will follow in the coming years.

However, while housing developments are always a great addition to Green River, we’re still hoping the city sees more commercial development, especially around downtown Green River.

It’s been an often written line in the opinion pages during the past year, but we do believe Green River needs an economic development professional to help guide and enhance the city’s economy. Businesses can help revitalize downtown Green River, becoming a lure to bring residents and travelers to shop along Flaming Gorge Way.

The city would definitely benefit from additional businesses within the city. One of those businesses Green River should have is a second grocery store. While an economic report from SWEDA dismissed the idea, the fact that a city of more than 12,000 people being supported by one grocery store is somewhat ludicrous. Smaller communities, those ranging in the 3,000 population range, have more grocery stores than Green River.

We believe Green River would be best served by a store that isn’t available in Rock Springs. Something like a Whole Foods or even Trader Joe’s would fit nicely into the community and provide Sweetwater County residents with something that isn’t available locally. It would be even better if someone built their own business around providing natural foods, and operated a similar business away from the national chains.

And that is why we need an economic development professional in Green River. Someone who can identify potential business and help residents establish themselves as business owners.

The development professional could steer the city into a better economic future, something Green River needs.

With additional housing, we feel opportunities open up for businesses as well. With an economic development professional working in Green River, they could potentially capitalize on those opportunities for the benefit of the city and its residents.

Green River can be its own economic entity with some planning and hard work.

Our lovely city doesn’t have to be tied to Rock Springs’ economy.