FOR RELEASE:
March 14, 2007
For more information contact:

Tom Lacock, Senior Marketing and Public Relations Specialist
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2834, Cell: 307.631.0958

Steve Achter, Director, Investment Ready Communities Division
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2811, Cell: 307.631.4272

Wyoming communities benefit from grants approved during Wyoming Business Council Board meeting

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Business Council Board of Directors recommended for approval six Community Facilities Projects totaling $7,086,226 for approval and approved one Community Development Block Grant worth $25,000 today during a meeting at The Hideout at Flitner Ranch near Shell.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES GRANTS:

The purpose of the Community Facilities Program is to assist communities to 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 used for community gatherings, recreational, swimming and athletic facilities for community members, particularly youth.

Once the Business Council board recommends approving a Community Facilities project, it 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 Community Facility Projects which were recommended for SLIB approval include:

The town of Glendo was recommended for a $196,736 grant, which would facilitate 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 was recommended for a $1,500,000 grant 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 used their own funds to address critical stabilization, roof and asbestos issues on the Roundhouse.

The Meeteetse Community Facilities Joint Powers Board was recommended for a $1,500,000 grant. The funding will address mechanical, electrical, accessibility and interior systems of the Meeteetse swimming pool and make the pool more energy efficient.

The town of LaGrange was recommended for a $1,389,490 grant to put towards renovation of 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 accessibility updates, elevator, electrical and plumbing. Renovation would include masonry restoration, fire suppression and general finishing.

The city of Torrington was recommended for a $1,500,000 grant 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 was recommended for a $1,000,000 grant 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.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

The town of Bar Nunn was approved for a $25,000 Community Development Block Grant during today’s meeting as well. 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.

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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