Guns and Roses Fundraiser Hits Its Target

Just call Yvonne Johnson “Miss Carbon County.”

At the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) annual meeting and fundraiser, Board President Copper France said Johnson traveled so much it was less expensive for the CCEDC to buy a car for her to use than to pay out mileage. Traveling between all 10 municipalities in the county can certainly put wear and tear on any vehicle. It would appear, however, the investment was well worth it as community leaders from across the county attended the “Guns & Roses” dinner at the Platte Valley Community Center on October 6.

Johnson, who has been the executive director of the CCEDC for three years, considers the event a success but is hesitant to take all the credit herself. This is typical of Johnson, who does not consider herself a “chestbeater” and does not believe her job means highlighting herself but rather the investors in the CCEDC.

“I’m a one-person show here, so I’m fully aware that I do not communicate with my investors the way that some may think I need to but I think Friday night really proved that I do think about them, that I am working for them and I’m working for everyone in Carbon County,” said Johnson.

France, who spoke briefly at the dinner on Friday night in lieu of a keynote speaker, best explained the purpose of the economic development corporation. The board president—and President of the Bank of Commerce—said it wasn’t the job of the CCEDC to be out front. Instead, it should be in the background helping small businesses start, existing businesses expand and bringing new businesses into the county. If a business seemed to spring up overnight, said France, it was likely the CCEDC was involved in some capacity.

Three years in, there shouldn’t be any doubt that Johnson is extremely supportive of Carbon County.

Nearly all the auction items—with the exception of bottles of Wyoming Whiskey—came from within the county. They were either purchased by Johnson, donated to the event from a county business or created in or by someone in Carbon County. The Wyoming Whiskey, which wasn’t just an auction item but also a free gift placed on each of the tables, was donated by Dr. Stephanie Chiu and Chris White of Meadowlark Pediatrics. Two raffles, meanwhile, were run by the Saratoga Middle High School FBLA.

The food, also, was a testament—or perhaps a love letter—to Carbon County prepared by Danny Burau, owner of The Malt, and his staff. Appetizers were bison meatballs and pickled vegetables from Iron Creek Bison Company and The Farm at Brush Creek Ranch, respectively. The Farm also provided the vegetables for the main course while the beef was provided by Berger Beef. Desert was a combination of county resources with the VIP tables getting the Firewater Double Chocolate Souffle. The guest tables received macarons from The Good TImes Tea House in Rawlins, fudges and mint made by Denise Clark or fall fudge bars from Wee Folks Preschool in Hanna.

All of it was served by the Saratoga Middle High School boys basketball team.

Perhaps one of the best examples of how popular this event was is the fact that Johnson had sold it out weeks in advance. With nearly every table completely full, though, there was still room for attendees to move around which was how Johnson had planned it.

“I want people to be comfortable, I want them to enjoy the food and enjoy the libations and be comfortable,” said Johnson. “As late as the day of, people were still calling to come.”

For Johnson, she considers this year’s event a bigger success than the one held in 2021 even though guest speakers then included Governor Mark Gordon and Josh Dorrell of the Wyoming Business Council. As auspicious as it was to have them in Carbon County, the CCEDC director was more pleased to see people from across her home county in attendance this year.

“There was representation there from every municipality in Carbon County. I wanted them to see that they’re community matters, it counts, and they needed to see that room,” said Johnson. “It proved the work that I am doing is working.”

Perhaps a good example of how her work with investors can pay off is Oftedal Construction which is based in Casper, Wyoming but involved with the wind energy development in Medicine Bow. George Hruska, the business development director for Oftedal, drove down to Saratoga from Casper to see if Johnson needed help setting up and then drove back to Casper that same day.

According to Johnson, the CCEDC raised between $30,000 and $35,000 before expenses with the live auction, silent auction and raffle. While that in and of itself can be considered a success, the true success might just be the way in which community leaders from both government and private industry mingled throughout the night. An example of what Johnson does in her role with economic development.

“I know that people say ‘Yvonne, you need to speak up. You need to let people know that it was you who brought this here, it was you who did this, you’re the one that bridged the gap.’ That’s not my job,” said Johnson. “My job is to be the resource and the connector.”