• City of Sheridan acquired 38.5 acres from the Wrench Ranch to be used as the Sheridan High-Tech Business Park.  This dedicated land enabled a Business Ready Grant, from the Wyoming Business Council for over $2.5 million to install water and sewer infrastructure within the park.  The park is “shovel ready” for development.

• FS identified and proposed a business relocation opportunity to a light-manufacturing firm (VacuTech, LLC).  This relocation is the anchor business for the high tech business park. Vacutech, LLC  is  relocating into the new Sheridan High-Tech Business Park.  Construction started in November of 2010.  And the first business relocation in Wyoming in 13 years.

• The High-Tech Business Incubator, located at Double Eagle Drive, is open and serving four early stage technology businesses.  Three new jobs have been created since the Incubator opening in late October for these operations.  The Sheridan High-Tech Business Incubator was purchased by Sheridan County using State of Wyoming grant funds.  Grant matching fund requirements were met by a private developer.  The total investment in this project from the state and private sector was over $1 million.

• One company, Ptolemy Data Systems, was housed in the FS office prior to the building of the Incubator.  By the time the incubator was completed, PDS has grown to 7 employees and is one of our prime  subcontractors for the Wyoming Telemedicine Project.

• FS was engaged by the State of Wyoming to manage the Wyoming Telepsychiatry Pilot Project to introduce, evaluate and implement video conferencing capabilities throughout hospitals and mental health clinics in the State.  This project involves three Wyoming technology businesses – Apollo Telemedicine, Handel IT and Ptolemy Data Systems and is addressing a very key issue with Title 25 IH patients throughout the state.   At this time the WTPP team has conducted site evaluations at 5 hospitals and 3 mental health clinics.  This project will continue for 24 months.   The outcome of this project is to reduce exporting medical care dollars to neighboring states and keep the patients locally by improving access at the point of care.

•  Forward Sheridan is committed to communicating our actions and intentions with our investors and the community through media releases and news articles, open houses, and e-newsletters and updates.  FS routinely has work sessions with investors and interested parties.

Click on www.capitolchristmastree2010.com to learn more about the 2010 Capital Christmas Tree.

Cross Country Skiing in the Big Horn Mountains is great this year.  The ski trails are beautifully maintained by volunteers of the Black Mountain Nordic Ski Club.  The trail grooming expenses are paid for by donations and dues collected by members.  If you are interested in joining the club the dues are $15 for a single membership and $20 for a family membership.  Simply click here to sign up today.

Several local merchants Big Horn Mountain Sports and the Rendezvous Trading Company sell and rent ski gear as well as show shoes.  Skiing is a very economical way to recreate in our beautiful mountains.  Click here if you are interested in learning more about the sport.

See you at the warming hut!

Energizing Sheridan!

The North Main Revitalization Initiative in Sheridan is about people taking ownership in their community.   Over the summer, residents and business owners in the North Main area have hosted a series of block parties, North Main Business Open House events, and other neighborhood gatherings to engage North Main residents, business and property owners in a widespread community discussion.

The goals of these discussions were to build community involvement, identify barriers to the revitalization of North Main, and identify resources and partnerships necessary to encourage residential and commercial investment in the area.

This Initiative is building on a number of great efforts already taking place on North Main such as the renovation of the Trails End Restaurant & Motel, grand opening of Bella/Kennon Aircraft Covers and numerous small business start-ups such as Breckenridge Market.

On August 21^st the North Main Summit brought together almost 600 comments from over 160 participants from the 12 previous North Main events. Coming out of the Summit, five community work groups were formed focused around the following themes: Where We Live, Where We Shop & Eat, How We Travel, Where We Play & Kids, and North Main Look & Feel. These groups are meeting over the month of September to develop action plans to help revitalize the North Main part of Sheridan.

These action plans will be delivered as a “Report to the Community” and presented to the City Council by the North Main Steering Committee, which is made up by members from each work group. This Committee, with help from the City and others, will work to put these plans into action starting with completing the short-term projects by early next year.

There are a number of resources to help with this effort. To start, the Mayor will ask the City Council to allocate seed monies for the community’s short-term projects. In addition, the City will offer its staff, expertise and leadership to the work groups. The WYDOT North Main repaving project includes over $500,000 for enhancements such as benches and landscaping for North Main Street and this money will help with aspects of the long-term action plans.

For more information on the North Main Revitalization Initiative and to follow the work groups’ progress, please visit www.sheridanwyo.us and click below the North Main Revitalization Initiative logo.

Who is Bob Davies?

As a highly successful former Cal State Fullerton football coach, Bob Davies is a highly sought after keynote speaker and human potential trainer. Bob Davies possesses a powerful presentation style. If you want to experience immediate results,  learn how you can take immediate action and take it to your world, you are invited to this special EVENT. If you are interested in learning more about attending this life-changing seminar, please leave a comment and let us know of your interest in attending this once-in-lifetime event. Just leave a comment below, call CENTURY 21 BHJ at (307) 672-5838 or email us at yourfriends@century21bhj.com.

The EVENT is to be held at:

Sheridan College (Northern Wyoming Community College)
Address: 3059 Coffeen Avenue
Griffith Building C-TEL (Center for Technology Enhanced Learning)
Sheridan, WY 82801

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Bruce

The city of Sheridan has much to offer. Main Street is lined with beautiful shops that are run by lovely people. Whenever you enter one you are greeted with a “Hello, how are you?” Just perpendicular to Main Street, statues are abundant on Grinnell Plaza in front of City Hall. Some are owned by the city and others are just out on loan. Kendrick Park, a big part of our small town, has the most lush green grass and towering trees around. On the other side of the park you find a pool and you can even get ice cream in the summer. Overlooking this beautiful park is the buffalo pen, where there are even a few elk.

The summer is a busy time in Sheridan. Fourth of July gives the several firework vendors around town plenty of business. And being such a small town we are close to wide open fields where we can shoot them off. About six miles south of town in Big Horn is the Equestrian Center where, if you don’t like to, or can’t, shoot off fireworks yourself, you can go to watch them professionally done. Starting in the second week of July is the rodeo. For three nights a full-length rodeo takes place at the fairgrounds, only a few minutes drive from downtown. Behind the towering arena stands in the carnival. In addition to different rides and thrills, the carnival offers cotton candy and other treats.

Even the fall and winter are hosts to many activities. The Sheridan High School football teams are great to go watch on a Friday night. There are high school orchestras and bands as well as many other sporting events. Halloween is a wonder event here. There are nice quiet neighborhoods for the children to go trick or treating. It’s even okay to go if you’re less of a child and more of a teenager, most people don’t mind. Once winter has fallen upon us, the ice rink opens and ski and snowboard areas are a short drive away. The mountains are just a few minutes south of Sheridan and great if you like to go snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Even in winter, you can find something to entertain yourself.

Sheridan is a wonderful place to live. Wyoming is general has a staggeringly high number of people under the age of 25, more then many other states. Sheridan reflects this greatly as you will see at the local movie theatre and skate park. There is always something here to do, and the people are welcoming. We’ve got culture that many places aren’t as exposed to.

We Have a Winner!

Rather than clutter this outstanding piece with an introduction, we chose to let Carissa Goodman’s eloquent words convey her first place $100 cash prize entry for the Sheridan High Creative Writing Contest. We congratulate Carissa on her fine efforts in her winning entry “Why Living in Sheridan is Great”. The team at CENTURY 21 BHJ Realty, Inc wishes to thank every Sheridan High student who participated in this contest. Special thanks go to Sheridan High School Principal Ms. Dirlene Wheeler and English teacher, Ms. Rita Geary for their important role in this creative blog writing event.

Show Your Support For These Fine Students!

We encourage you to show your support for these wonderful entries by submitting a comment. It’s very easy. Simply click on the “Be the first to comment on this post” at the top of this page and submit your comments.

Until my next post,

Bruce Garber
Century 21 BHJ Reality, Inc.

Your Sheridan Real Estate Resource

No doubt you have read our earlier post on the announcement of the Sheridan High Creative Writing Contest and the post on the 3rd place prize winning entry by Ms. Chelsey Hager. It is with great pride we the staff and management of CENTURY 21 BHJ Realty, Inc congratulate second place prize winner and recipient of a $50 cash prize to Ms. Kylen Caywood for her winning entry “Utopia“.

Utopia

By Guest Blogger Ms. Kylen Caywood

The definition of Utopia is—an ideal and perfect place or state where everyone lives in harmony and everything is for the best. In my Utopia, life stands still, unlike in the hustle and bustle of city life. There are no yellow taxi cabs scurrying around causing mayhem in the traffic. In my Utopia, the only sounds that are heard are the ones that the soft breeze creates. My Utopia contrasts with the obnoxious honks of impatient drivers and the revolting signals from their fingers. The scenic views are breath taking and pure eye candy. The unpredictable weather keeps me guessing on what clothes to wear. It goes from one extreme to another, never feeling any remorse. My Utopia is a place where everyone knows everyone’s name, and a neighbor helps out a neighbor.

My Utopia is the little town nestled beneath the Big Horn Mountains. This little town is called Sheridan, in the western state of Wyoming. My friends and family are truly genuine, for Sheridan shelters many that live here from the harsh world.

Sheridan, although small, has an eclectic community of people full of different opinions, thoughts, and lifestyles. This helps to give our town unique and diverse input along with great ideas. Sheridan is a town of security and safety. We have many police officers which help to regulate and keep our city safe.

People come here seeking tranquility, and many find something even more special. They find happiness. In my Utopia, happiness is not hard to find. It is beneath every stone I step, and it is within every smile I receive. My home gives protection to those who live here, while also bringing happiness and brightness into each blessed day. So, whether the white snow caps the top of our tall mountains, or the orange leaves fall to the ground, the hills, the people, and the sheer happiness of my Utopia will protect and care for me.

Outstanding Work!

What a vivid picture Kylen paints of Sheridan and we certainly appreciate her taking the time to put he thoughts on paper. If you would like to leave a comment for Kylen, please feel free to do so. I’m sure she would love to read your comments.

Don’t Forget to Stay Tuned For the Announcement of the Grand Prize Winner!

In our next post we will reveal the first place entry for the Sheridan High Creative Writing Contest.

Until then,

Bruce Garber
Century 21 BHJ Reality, Inc.

Your Sheridan Real Estate Resource

Selecting the winning entries for the Sheridan High School creative writing contest was really difficult. There were many exceptional articles submitted which speaks highly of our teachers and staff at Sheridan High School. We truly appreciate the efforts of Ms. Dirlene Wheeler and English teacher Ms. Rita Geary for coordinating this contest. It is with great excitement we announce the 3rd Place Winner of the Sheridan High School Creative Writing Contest. Congratulations go to 11th grade student Ms. Chelsey Hager for her entry “Sheridan is a Great Place to Live“.

Sheridan High Student Declares “Sheridan is a Great Place to Live”

by Guest Student Blogger Ms. Chelsey Hager

This area is one of the nicest places to live, in the United States. We have good schools and it is a safe environment to raise a child. It is a place where everyone knows their neighbor and people for the most part can be trusted. We have the Big Horn Mountains right outside our back doors, which provide recreational activities all year long. When in need of goods or services, you find yourself able to find what you need is within walking distance. It is incredibly easy to get where you need to be during the summertime; however, in the winter this is not the case. But isn’t it nice to have a few days off every once in awhile?

In such a quiet place people can relax and enjoy themselves, and there is little worry of getting caught in rush hour traffic when running late. Nor should citizens worry about being mugged if they should end up in the wrong part of town—in our area the wrong side of town just means being on the opposite side of town from Wal-Mart. The area in which we live is quiet, peaceful, and safe.

Many people dream of leaving after high school, but many of those people choose to come back when they’re ready to raise a family. This is a good place for children to grow up and get a good start in life. This is an area of hardworking families; there is a great deal of history and tradition displayed all around us. Anyone who can say they were born here should be proud. There are few cities where children are able to get such great educations, where a family can feel safe leaving the back door open to let in fresh air. Sheridan, Wyoming, has to be one of the nicest places to live in the United States.

Congratulations Chelsey!

As a $25 cash prize winner for her third place entry, we congratulate Chelsey for her fine piece on Sheridan, Wyoming. Be sure to leave your comments and words of encouragement for Chelsey as I’m sure she will appreciate your thoughts!

Stay Tuned

We will be announcing the Second Place Winner in our next post!

Until then,

Bruce Garber
Century 21 BHJ Reality, Inc.

Your Sheridan Real Estate Resource

Pride Lives in Sheridan County

If you know a little about CENTURY 21 BHJ Realty, Inc it becomes apparent we take a great deal of pride in being involved in our community. And what better place to invest in the Sheridan community than in our local schools. With that said, it is with that sense of community spirit and pride that CENTURY 21 BHJ Realty, Inc announces the Sheridan High School Creative Writing Contest. CENTURY 21 BHJ Realty will award three cash prizes to three students who write the best articles on the topic “Why Sheridan is a Great Place to Live.”

Key Support Provided by Sheridan High

We are so excited to launch this new initiative and we eagerly look forward to the entries we receive. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Sheridan High School Principal Ms. Dirlene Wheeler and English teacher, Ms. Rita Geary for their important role in coordinating this creative blog writing contest.

Future Real Estate Bloggers in the Making!

Who knows, maybe one day a current Sheridan High School student will using this portal to write interesting articles about the virtues of buying a home here in Sheridan County.

Stay Tuned!

We recommend you stay tuned for future post on the selection of the winning Sheridan High entries.

Until my next post,

Bruce Garber
Century 21 BHJ Reality, Inc.

Your Sheridan Real Estate Resource

Fire in the Big Horn Mountains

The Little Goose fire is now under control. It was quite a sad day to see the face of our mountain burn from Little Goose Creek to Red Grade Road. As always in Wyoming, it was nice seeing neighbors helping neighbors moving personal belongings and animals way from harms way over the weekend of August 11th, 2007. Our hearts go out to everyone who lost cabins and structures in the fire.  Spahn’s famed Bed & Breakfast  was lucky with only having lost an out building.  So, they are still open for business for those of you that make Spahn’s an annual outing with friends and family.

I have had several inquires this week on how this might affect real estate values for properties near the mountain. Mother Nature has a way of humbling us, but hopefully with time, the portion of the mountain that burned will shed light on a different form of beauty until the face of the mountain rejuvenates itself.

We definitely live in the Wild West and I personally would rather put up with an occasional forest fire over the perils of earthquakes, tornados, or hurricanes.

Lastly, a big thanks to all of the fire fighters, especially the volunteers of the Big Horn Fire District, for a job well done under very tough conditions.

Best,

Bruce Garber
Broker/Owner, CENTURY 21 BHJ Realty, Inc