Cowley does get some funding, along with other communities
JOAN BARRON Star-Tribune capital bureau | Posted: Friday, December 7, 2007 12:00 am
CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Business Council didn't embrace the concept of a facade or false wooden fronts to enhance structures along one block of Main Street in Cowley.
But the council members did approve Thursday $300,000 for a streetscape enhancement project to install sidewalks, landscaping and grass along two miles of a rebuilt highway through the community.
Council members noted the shortage of remaining money for the popular community enhancement program, which is the No. 3 priority among the council's grant programs.
Jim Davis of Evanston said that while he favors enhancement, "I can't grasp the concept of a facade."
Cowley, described by town officials as the fastest growing community in Big Horn County with a population of 560 and 45 new homes under construction, wanted the facade to complement other Main Street enhancement such as ornamental lighting and decorative benches.
The facade would partially screen older buildings and vacant lots on the downtown block, according to the town's application.
Sen. Ray Peterson, R-Cowley, who attended the meeting to support the town's request, said he hopes the Legislature will allocate more grant money for the program in the budget session that opens Feb. 11.
The Business Council approved another enhancement grant of $250,000 to build a visitor center close to the west exit of Interstate 80. Currently the Green River Chamber of Commerce works out of a downtown storefront office which was a former tattoo parlor.
The chamber will occupy part of the visitor center.
And the town of Lusk was one of the applicants approved for a total of $4.45 million in community grants.
The council recommended Lusk for a $1.5 million grant to buy a 38.7-acre tract of land and install infrastructure for a new business park. The deal would also include a 60- by 100-foot steel building.
"This will really make a big difference, and we hope to get funding for cities and towns from the Legislature," Lusk Mayor Pete Pier said after the council approved the grant.
"It will be a big boost," he added. "You can come to Lusk and see we know how to use every dollar."
Pier said the town would like to attract a light manufacturing business.
Lusk is in Niobrara County, which has the lowest tax base of any of the state's 23 counties.
The "business-ready" grants must be approved by the State Loan and Investment Board, made up of the governor and other four elected state officials, at their Jan. 24 meeting.
Other business grants recommended Thursday:
* City of Laramie - $1.5 million grant to construct an 8,000-square-foot office building in the Laramie River Business Park to facilitate the expansion of Trihydro Corp. Trihydro intends to purchase a 1.67-acre lot in the business park next to the company's existing facility from the Laramie Economic Development Corp. The lot will then be conveyed to the city. About 10,000 feet of the building will be partially occupied by Trihydro.
* Natrona County - a $1.5 million grant to construct a rail spur off the mail line of BNSF Railway. The county-owned spur will be located on 700 acres of privately owned land next to the Natrona County International Airport. The rail spur will be on the right of way donated to the county by the Bishop Industrial Park.
* Tiger Joint Powers Board in Lander - $451,140 to complete the second, paving phase of a business park.
The council denied a $1.5 million grant for the Eastern Wyoming College campus at Douglas. The council staff did not recommend the grant because the other funding sources are not fully committed.
Capital bureau reporter Joan Barron can be reached at (307) 632-1244 or at joan.barron@trib.com.