FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 21, 2005
For more information contact:

Diane Moser, Wyoming Business Council,
WCWI Ex-officio
307.777.2848

Mary England, WCWI At-Large Member
marye@trib.com

Cheyenne construction company wins 2005 Wyoming Summit Award

CASPER – The Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues (WCWI) recognized the 2005 Wyoming Summit Award winner, Edeen Homes of Cheyenne, at the Business Alliance's Business Forum in Casper this past week.

The Wyoming Summit Award recognizes businesses that have successfully instituted programs or policies that broaden, strengthen and support their workforce. The award is sponsored by the WCWI, the Wyoming Business Alliance, the Wyoming Department of Family Services, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and the Wyoming Business Council.

Edeen Homes is a residential construction company that is committed to establishing an equitable and diverse workforce in a field historically dominated by men. In 2004, Our Families Our Future forged a partnership with Edeen Homes to bring more women into the construction trades with the Construction Trades Program. The purpose of the program is to train participants in construction trades to a sufficient level that participants feel competent and qualified to seek meaningful employment that will result in a wage capable of supporting their families.

Since the training began, eight participants have completed training; seven of the eight participants have received offers of full-time employment; six of the eight have moved from unemployment to making $10 per hour with the opportunity to increase their hourly wages; and six are moving off of food stamp assistance.

Edeen Homes and Habitat for Humanity have agreed to provide training for the 2006 Construction Trades Training Program.

Don Edeen founded Edeen Construction in 1972. The company not only builds custom homes, but was also involved in the construction of several Cheyenne developments including Mylar Park, Green Valley Estates, Oak Valley and Northview Estates. Edeen Construction has now expanded into a group of six companies that employ 64 people including Edeen Homes, Edeen Land Development, All American Real Estate, All American Mortgage and ETC, all of which are owned by the Edeen Investment Group.

The WCWI is a 13-member council with representation from each of the nine Judicial Districts in addition to four at-large members and one ex-officio member from the Wyoming Business Council. The WCWI is a Governor appointed council. Visit www.wyomingwomenscouncil.org.

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