FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 24, 2005
For more information contact:

Rachel Girt, WBC
Phone: 307.777.2851; Cel: 307.631.4681

WBC Board approved $513,000 in CDBG applications

CASPER – The Wyoming Business Council’s Board of Directors approved $513,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications at their public meeting in Casper on March 24.

The CDBG Program provides funding for activities in economic development, community development and housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides Wyoming with annual funding of approximately $3.6 million for this program.

The Board funded the following applications from Carbon County, Dubois, Evanston, Laramie County, Lovell, Pine Bluffs and Sheridan:

• Carbon County received a $25,000 planning only grant for a fiber optics feasibility study. CDBG funds, along with matching funds from the Carbon County Commissioners, the city of Rawlins, the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation, the Carbon County Clerk’s budget and private donations, will be used to hire a consultant to conduct a feasibility study on public sector alternatives to provide competitive broadband access to Carbon County communities.
• The town of Dubois received a $25,000 planning only grant for a downtown revitalization plan. CDBG funds, along with matching funds from the town of Dubois and the Nature Conservancy, will be used to hire a consultant for the purpose of completing a feasibility study for three locations in Dubois.
• The city of Evanston received a $7,500 technical assistance grant for Handicap Co-op, which manufactures a more “user friendly” wheelchair as well as winter sporting equipment for the disabled. The grant will be used to develop a web page and brochure to promote the company and its products.
• Laramie County received a $300,000 infrastructure grant for Burnett Farms, LLC. Burnett Farms will construct and operate a dairy in Carpenter. CDBG funds will be used to purchase materials (gravel), needed to upgrade 14 miles of county roads.
• The town of Lovell received a $25,000 planning only grant for a community and economic development plan. CDBG funds, along with matching funds from the town of Lovell, will be used to complete a plan that will address land use, economic development, community capabilities, community facilities and housing.
• The town of Pine Bluffs received a $25,000 planning only grant for a downtown plan. CDBG funds, along with matching funds from the town of Pine Bluffs, the Laramie County Economic Development Joint Powers Board, the Laramie County Commissioners and the Wyoming Business Council, will be used to complete an assessment of the existing conditions, current infrastructure and a comprehensive plan for the elimination of blight in the downtown.
• The city of Sheridan received a $20,000 planning only grant for a housing needs assessment. CDBG funds, along with matching funds from Sheridan County and the city of Sheridan will be used to complete a housing plan for Sheridan County including an inventory of existing housing to determine its adequacy and suitability for current and future population and economic development needs, future housing needs and goals, land use, community facilities and services and intergovernmental coordination.
• The city of Sheridan received an $85,500 infrastructure grant for WYSTAR, a non-profit organization that provides substance abuse treatment services. Funds from the CDBG grant and WYSTAR will be used to bring water, sewer, gas, electricity and a portion of a sidewalk to the Recovery Home.

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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