Mountain Town News
By Allen Best
California company likes Jackson
JACKSON, Wyo. – William Wecker and 20 employees are relocating from California to Jackson. But their business has nothing to do with tourism or real estate. He has what is called a location-neutral business, but location has everything to do with his decision to move to Wyoming.
“We happen to be a company that can do our business from anywhere in the world,” he said. But while Wyoming’s reduced taxes and less stringent regulations played a part in his decision to relocate to Wyoming, Jackson Hole’s attractions were crucial, he said.
“There are few places with the attraction of Jackson Hole,” he said. “It has a small-town nature in a magnificent setting that also has a world-class airport and a high-quality school system.”
The Jackson Hole News&Guide explains that the company bills itself as providing “statistical and mathematical consulting services” and “data analysis,” primarily for pharmaceutical companies. The company reviews the efficacy and potential side effects of drugs that companies are trying to bring to market.
Most of the company’s 20 employees have doctoral degrees in mathematics or master’s degrees from prestigious schools such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“The company is an example of how some business leaders in the valley are successfully pitching Jackson to attract new jobs from industries that don’t require much more than a good airport and a fast Internet connection,” said the newspaper. Except, in this case, the company found Jackson Hole on its own.
Elders ask for advice
ASPEN, Colo. – Aspen is a place with a committee for almost everything. It now has a “next generation advisory board” that is intended to represent the interests of 20- to 40-year-olds to the city government.
The Aspen Daily News explains that the idea came out of focus group sessions held in 2011, combined with the city council’s goal of doing more to engage the younger demographic.
“If you … see who is coming to (city council) meetings, it really is that older demographic,” said Mitzi Rapkin, community relations director for the city government.
“It would be easier to say (the younger generation) is just apathetic, but I don’t believe that.”
