TORRINGTON – Go Goshen’s Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 16, at Old Moose Coffee & Events. In attendance were members of the Go Goshen Board of Directors, the Goshen County Lodging Tax Board, Goshen Main Street, and Go Goshen staff.

Board president Jeff Jones made opening remarks, and Trenda Weisshaar, CPA from Weisshaar & Associates, presented a financial report. Among the metrics shared, a highlight was an almost $30,000 increase in the quarter percent sales tax revenue allocated to Go Goshen. This surge not only boosts Go Goshen’s budget but also reflects the organization’s successful efforts in championing local businesses and driving sales. With sales tax generated from both local transactions and online purchases within Goshen County, this upward trend speaks volumes about the community’s economic vitality.

Weisshaar noted that many non-profit organizations struggle with overhead costs often exceeding 20%, making Go Goshen’s fiscal stewardship particularly commendable as it invests tax funds back into community development.

Community leaders were also recognized. Danny and Sara Brewer from Old Moose Coffee & Events received the award for Business of the Year, Tiffany Leslie from Broncho Bar & Grillhouse was honored as Community Leader of the Year, and Meghan Salway from Wyoming Workforce Services was named Star Employee of the Year. Steve Paisley and Brian Lee were also recognized for their volunteer services. Finally, Jones was acknowledged for completing his term as board president and for his continued service to Goshen County.

In addition to the expanded budget, Go Goshen gained 21 new members and participated in 9 ribbon cuttings and open houses with businesses across Goshen County. Fifteen grants were awarded for economic development. Mid-State Tire is moving forward with development at the Cold Springs Business Park, and other projects are slated to start in the coming year. Torrington Main Street also celebrated a very successful Summer Concert Series in 2024, featuring two additional concerts compared to previous years. Main Street held its first County Fair Kick-Off, a joint effort of multiple local businesses and organizations that enhanced the fair programs. For tourism, Go Goshen secured significant grant funding, allowing them to produce updated tourism literature and enhance the tourism webpage, which resulted in increased web traffic.

New Go Goshen CEO Brian Young ended the meeting by sharing his vision for the next year, focusing on building community awareness, continuing to promote business applications for available grants, and working to create a long-term financial plan. Reflecting on the event, Young stated, “We had a wonderful evening tonight with a lot of our members. I really want to thank everyone for coming out. We’re looking forward to continued success going forward.”