FOR RELEASE:
March 1, 2007
For more information contact:
Tom Lacock
Senior Marketing and Public Relations Specialist
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2834
Steve Achter
Director, Investment Ready Communities Division
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307-777-2811
Community Facilities and Community Development grants to be reviewed
CHEYENNE – The Hideout at Flitner Ranch (http://www. thehideout.com/) near Shell will host the Wyoming Business Council Board of Directors meeting March 14, starting at 11 a.m. The meeting will be available online live via streaming audio at (www.wyomingbusiness.org/livemeeting.aspx).
Among the items on the agenda are recommendations for six Community Facilities Projects totaling $7,086,226 as well as decision on one Community Development Block Grant worth $25,000.
The purpose of the Community Facilities Program is to construct local enhancements to a school building or facility or preserve former school and government facilities that have existing or future community uses. All projects must be related to economic development or quality of life enhancement. Facilities may be space for community gatherings and functions, recreational, swimming and athletic facilities for community members, particularly youth.
The Community Facility Projects include:
The town of Glendo requests a total of $196,736 for construction of a 2,400 square foot building on the west end of the existing high school. The structure would be built on town owned property and have separate entrances, utility and metering systems. The building will house the Glendo Community Wellness Center and contain an exercise equipment area, space for group programs, restrooms and showers.
The city of Evanston is requesting $1,500,000 in grant funds to completely renovate the first section of the Evanston Roundhouse. Windows will be replaced and masonry restored. Internal renovations include: plumbing, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), electrical, second level addition, elevator and finishings. Some site work on the plaza will be included in this project. The city of Evanston previously expended their own funds to address critical stabilization, roof and asbestos issues on the Roundhouse.
The Meeteetse Community Facilities Joint Powers Board requests $1,500,000 in grant funding to address mechanical, electrical, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and interior systems of the Meeteetse swimming pool and make the pool more energy efficient.
The town of LaGrange requests a total of $1,389,490 for renovation efforts to a former school. The historic high school is currently connected to an operating grade school. Funds would be used to separate the historic school from the grade school then remodel the historic portion. The project requires ADA compliance updates, elevator, electrical and plumbing. Renovation would include masonry restoration, fire suppression and general finishing.
The city of Torrington requests $1,500,000 to renovate two wings of the decommissioned Lincoln Elementary school into a multi-use facility. Renovations would include HVAC, electrical, asbestos amendment, sprinkler systems, ADA and general interior renovations. Approximately 65 percent of the facility would be affected by these grant funds.
The town of Fort Laramie requests $1,000,000 to renovate a former middle school owned by the Greater Fort Laramie Community Development Association (GFLCDA). The town has entered into an operating agreement which allows the GFLCDA to oversee construction. Renovations include exterior maintenance, site work, landscaping, interior, HVAC, electrical updates, and the demolition and rebuild of a section which will house a reception, gathering and commercial kitchen space.
Once the Business Council board approves or denies the projects, will then be sent to the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) for final decision. SLIB, which is made up of the five state-wide elected officials, will meet to review these recommendations Thursday, April 12 at 8 a.m. The meeting will take place in room 1699 of the Herschler Building in Cheyenne.
The lone Community Development Block Grant which will be reviewed is from the town of Barr Nunn, which requests a $25,000 planning grant. The funds will be used to prepare a community development plan. The plan will establish an essential mission statement, along with short and long term goals to guide and manage Bar Nunn’s future growth. Business, as well as residential development will be considered. Available engineering data and known land-use issues will be integrated to identify areas where affordable housing could be developed along with the infrastructure necessary to support it.
The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) is a federally funded pass through grant program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Wyoming has received an annual allocation from a low of $2.2 million, to a high of $3.7 million. For the 2006 program, the state has received $3,225,175. The allocation for the year 2007 is yet to be determined.
WYOMING BUSINESS COUNCIL
Board of Directors Meeting
March 13 – 14, 2007
The Hideout at The Flitner Ranch
Shell, WY
TENTATIVE AGENDA
Wednesday – March 14, 2007 The Hideout Lodge
8:45 – 10:00 AM Open Public Community Dialogue
10:00 - Public Meeting Convenes
Welcome & Introductions – Co-Chair Bill Britz
Minutes Approval
December 7, 2006
January 25, 2007
10:20 - Officer Nominating Committee Report
10:30 - Committee Reports
Planning, Budget & Audit Committee –
Gus Fleischli, Chair
Financials
Personnel
Compensation Plan
Main Street & Rural Devel. Council
Contracts
WY Business Technology Incubator Tourism Contracts Report
11:00 - Agribusiness Program
Public Comment
11:30 - Grants, Subsidies, Loans & Venture Capital –
Jim Davis, Chair
Community Facilities Grant/Loan Program
12:00 - Noon Lunch Break
12:45 - Community Development Block Grants
Economic Development Applications
Loan/Portfolio Material
1:15 - Legislative Report – CEO Tucker Fagan
1:45 - Other Business
Next Meeting Date & Location
2:00 -Adjournment
The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org.
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