FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 5, 2006
For more information contact:

Steve Achter
Director, Investment Ready Communities Division
Wyoming Business Council
Phone: 307.777.2811
Cell: 307.631.4274

Tom Lacock
Senior Marketing & PR Specialist
Wyoming Business Council
Tel: 307.777.2834
Cell: 307.631.0958

State Loan and Investment Board approves grant requests

CHEYENNE – The State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) approved two Business Ready Community Grants and three Community Facilities Program Grants, during their regular meeting in Cheyenne today.

The Business Ready Community Grant and Loan Program and the Community Facilities Grant and Loan programs are administered by the Wyoming Business Council. As part of the state statutes, the Business Council Board of Directors reviews grant applications and recommends them for approval to SLIB.

SLIB is made up of the five state-wide elected officials: Governor Dave Freudenthal; Secretary of State Joe Meyer; State Treasurer Cynthia Lummis; State Auditor Max Maxfield and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jim McBride.
Business Ready Community (BRC) Grant Applications

SLIB approved the following Business Ready Community Grants today, totaling $6 million:

• Big Horn County received a $3 million BRC Business Committed grant to construct a 23,000 square foot clear span hangar at the South Big Horn Regional Airport near Greybull. The hangar will be owned by the county and leased to B&G Industries, LLC (BGI). The building will be built to Federal Aviation Administration building codes and will be capable of holding a complete C-130 military aircraft. This will allow BGI to comply with a Department of Defense requirement to isolate military planes from other aircraft or equipment that might have fuel on board when they are being serviced. As a result of the project, BGI will create 60 jobs over three years.
• The city of Lander, in cooperation with a local community development organization, LEADER, received $3 million for a chain of projects. The projects include: purchasing an existing building; off-site improvements at the South Industrial Park; purchasing 6.5 acres; business park development; and constructing a new building. When completed, the projects will ultimately lead to the expansion of Eggli Bros. Millworks Inc., add business ready lots to the Lander area, expand existing infrastructure related to business development and provide a source of revenue and real estate assets for future economic development activities.

The Community Facilities Program assists communities with Grant and loan funding to preserve former school and government facilities that have existing or future community uses.

SLIB approved the following Community Facilities Program Grants today totaling $863,809:

• Goshen County received a $225,000 grant to renovate the gymnasium portion of a decommissioned middle school for youth and community use. The funds will be used to renovate the former Torrington Middle School Gymnasium, which will be used by the high school and local wrestling clubs as well as the public for meetings and recreational activities.
• The Hyattville Cemetery District received a $398,000 grant to renovate a former school for community use. The funds will be used to finish improvements on the building that have taken place over the last three years. The final improvements will allow for a year-round community center. The Hyattville Cemetery District and the school district are the only public entities in Hyattville.
• The town of Superior received a $240,809 grant to renovate a former school for a variety of community uses. The funds will be used to renovate and upgrade the former school building to allow it to continue as the area’s hub for community activities and youth services.

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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