FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 7, 2005
For more information contact:

Rachel Girt, Wyoming Business Council
Phone: 307.777.2851

Videoconference on consolidation of 18 economic and community development programs will be held on March 15

CHEYENNE – Learn more about the Bush Administration’s proposal to consolidate 18 economic and community development programs by watching a national videoconference at 11 cities from 1 pm – 2 pm on Tuesday, March 15.

The President’s initiative, proposed in his fiscal year 2006 budget, consolidates 18 existing programs into a new program called “Strengthening America’s Communities.” The new program would be managed within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Among the programs to be restructured is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is administered by the Wyoming Business Council in Wyoming.

The videoconference is available at the following locations:

• Cheyenne - Laramie County Community College; Education Enrichment Center, Room #213; 1400 East College Drive
• Casper – UW Outreach Center; 951 North Poplar, Room #106
• Evanston – Life Long Learning Center; 1013 Cheyenne Room 136/138
• Gillette – UW Outreach Office; 300 West Sinclair Room 171N
• Jackson – UW Compressed Video; 240 So. Glenwood in the Center for the Arts Building
• Lusk – Niobrara County School District #1; Administration Building; 619 West 5th Street
• Rawlins – Carbon County Higher Education Center; 705 Rodeo; Room #1
• Riverton – Central Wyoming College; Classroom Wing; Room CW#122; 2660 Peck Avenue
• Rock Springs – Western Wyoming Community College; 2500 College Drive; Room 1229E
• Sheridan – Sheridan College; Griffin Memorial Building; 3059 Coffeen Avenue Room; GMB#012
• Worland – Ag Extension Building; 116 South 11th Street

This initiative establishes new eligibility criteria so that communities most in need will be assisted. The new $3.71 billion unified grant-making program would target assistance to low-income persons and economically-distressed areas. For more information on the initiative, visit www.commerce.gov/SACI/.

The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org.

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