Daniel Schoolhouse receives $320,690 grant to renovate building
December 4, 2009
The Wyoming Business Council’s Board of Directors recommended approval to give the historic Daniel Schoolhouse $320,690 grant to renovate the building. The county must provide $208,056 in in-kind match to receive the funds.
The grant was one of a number of projects approved by the board for community development.
Below is a media release from the Wyoming Business Council:
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WBC Board recommends approval of $18.9 million for 32 communities
CHEYENNE – During its Dec. 3 meeting in Cheyenne, the Wyoming Business Council’s Board of Directors recommended approval of 40 projects, impacting 32 communities with an estimated $18.9 million in state and federal funding and $5.3 million invested by communities as a match.
The board approved 19 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications totaling $1.8 million in federal funding. The board recommended approval of 16 Business Ready Community Grant (BRC) applications totaling $11.5 million, and five Community Facilities Grant (CFP) applications totaling $5.6 million. The State Loan and Investment Board has final approval on projects funded by BRC and CFP, which are funded out of the General Fund.
Updated Business Council decisions and recommendations will be posted at www.wyomingbusiness.org.
The board also voted to delay funding one CDBG infrastructure application for Laramie and six applications for the Long Term Care Planning Program, which was funded by the 2009 Wyoming Legislature, until January when a special meeting will be convened. The delay will give the Business Council more time to assess actual bid and consulting cost information that will be available by the end of December.
The Business Council, a state government agency, concentrates its efforts on providing assistance for existing Wyoming companies and start-ups, helping communities meet their development and diversification needs, and recruiting new firms and industries targeted to complement the state’s assets. The agency is run by a board of directors and a chief executive officer.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) APPLICATIONS
The board approved 19 applications totaling $1.8 million in CDBG funding. There were 29 applications totaling $3.5 million, competing for $2.2 million in available funding.
The board delayed until its January meeting Laramie’s application for $295,533 in CDBG funding to assist McCarty Motors with paving, curb and gutter to aid with the business’ expansion. In addition, Hot Springs County withdrew its application for $300,000.
The Business Council administers the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), which is a federally funded pass through grant program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Before the board decision, staff reviews each application, conducts a site visit (except for CDBG planning applications), presents to a board subcommittee and makes a recommendation to the board.
The following CDBG applications were approved:
• ALBANY COUNTY received $300,000 in CDBG funding for the remodeling of a newly purchased facility for the SAFE Project in Albany County. The community match is $360,000 with another $250,000 coming from the Wyoming Community Development Authority.
• ALBANY COUNTY received $20,000, which is partial CDBG funding of its original request of $25,000. The planning grant will be used to study the feasibility fora joint facility for Laramie Head Start and the Albany County Developmental Preschool and Day Care Center. The community match is $8,333.
• BASIN received $25,000 in CDBG funding to evaluate the South Big Horn County Hospital District Building. The community match is $8,333.
• BURLINGTON received $18,750 in CDBG funding for a water treatment plan. The community match is $6,250.
• BIG HORN COUNTY received $45,000 in CDBG funding for an elevator for the Big Horn County Courthouse in Basin. The community match is $10,000.
• CARBON COUNTY received $12,450 which is partial CDBG funding of its original request of $25,000 for architectural and engineering planning for the Carbon County Museum. The community match is $20,000.
• CODY received $168,185 in CDBG funding to make the entrance and restroom in the Cody Auditorium Club Room accessible for the disabled. The community match is $18,853.
• LARAMIE received $20,000, which is partial CDBG funding of its original request of $25,000. The planning grant will be used to explore the possibility of expanding the existing recycling services provided by Ark Regional Services. The community match is $8,333.
• MIDWEST received $18,750 in CDBG funding for a geothermal well feasibility study. The community match is $6,250.
• MILLS received $110,910 in CDBG funding for a sanitary sewer service extension. The in-kind match is $36,970.
• MOORCROFT received $25,000 in CDBG funding for planning assisted living-senior housing for Crook and Weston Counties. The community match is $8,333.
• MOUNTAIN VIEW received $300,000 in CDBG funding for an addition to the Bridger Valley Child Development Center. The community match is $46,500.
• NATRONA COUNTY received $12,750 in CDBG funding for a Wyoming Dementia Care Study. The community match is $4,250, which was donated by Tom and Marta Stroock.
• RANCHESTER received $300,000 in CDBG funding to enhance the town’s entryway and downtown. Please note the board recommended for approval a $489,500 BRC grant, which still must go before SLIB for final decision. The community match comes from $44,500 in-kind funds and another $145,000 in Mineral Royalty funds. Award of the CDBG application is not contingent on SLIB approval of the BRC grant.
• RAWLINS received $25,000 in CDBG funding for a city master plan. The community match is $8,333.
• SHERIDAN received $25,000 in CDBG funding for a senior citizens council planning grant. The community match is $8,333.
• SHOSHONI received $65,000 in CDBG funding for the Centennial Park Project. The community match is $13,632.
• TETON COUNTY received $25,000 in CDBG funding for a market analysis for Green House in Teton County. The community match is $9,000, which is expected to be awarded by the Daniel’s Fund.
• UPTON received $300,000 in CDBG funding to renovate a building they purchased for their new senior center. The community match is $94,300.
The following grant applications were not approved: Afton’s request for $65,000; Campbell County’s request for $25,000; Crook County’s request for $225,000; Evanston’s request for $117,200; Lyman’s request for $25,000; Rawlins’ request for $25,000 for a Frontier Prison marketing study; and Worland’s request for $300,000.
LONG TERM CARE APPLICATIONS
The board voted to delay funding applications for the Long Term Care Planning Program, which was funded by the 2009 Wyoming Legislature, until January when a special meeting will be convened. The delay will give the Business Council more time to assess actual bid and consulting cost information that will be available by the end of December.
In 2009, the Wyoming Legislature approved a one-time allocation of $125,000 to be used as grants to communities for long term care planning. The Business Council received six applications, totaling $275,250.
The following applications for long term care feasibility plans have been delayed:
• BAGGS’ request for $25,000
• COKEVILLE’s request for $18,750
• PLATTE COUNTY’s request for $50,000
• RIVERTON’s request for $125,000
• SARATOGA’s request for $25,000
• TETON COUNTY’s request for $31,500
BUSINESS READY GRANT APPLICATIONS
The board recommended approval to the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) 14 Business Ready Community applications, totaling $11.5 million in state funding and $3.6 million in community matches, leaving $18 million available for projects in 2010. The board reviewed 21 applications totaling $22 million for the $29.7 million available for funding this biennium. All recommendations for BRC projects will be forwarded to the State Loan and Investment Board for a final decision on Jan. 28, 2010.
Before the board makes its recommendation, staff reviews each application, conducts a site visit, presents to a board subcommittee and makes a recommendation to the board.
The Business Council administers the Business Ready Community Grant and Loan Program (BRC), which provides financing for publicly owned infrastructure that serves the needs of businesses and promotes economic development within Wyoming communities. The Business Council board is required by statute to forward BRC grant recommendations to the SLIB for final approval. The SLIB is made up of the five statewide elected officials: Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Secretary of State Max Maxfield, State Treasurer Joe Meyer, State Auditor Rita Meyer, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jim McBride.
The board recommended approval of the following applications:
• BAGGS was recommended for approval of a $34,492 BRC grant to help beautify the town. The community match, made up of cash and in-kind is $34,493.
• CHUGWATER was recommended for approval of a $471,271 BRC grant to install infrastructure to create industrial and business ready lots. The community cash and in-kind match is $62,224.
• CODY was recommended for approval of a $730,223 BRC grant to purchase a building and land to attract manufacturers. The community match is $81,135.
• EVANSVILLE was recommended for approval of a $1.5 million BRC grant to fund infrastructure to create business ready lots in a 74-acre business park and improve existing infrastructure for the town. The community match, made up of cash and in-kind is $595,509.
• GUERNSEY was recommended for approval of an $112,594 BRC grant to construct walking trails near the downtown’s historic plaza along the Platte River. The community match, made up of cash and in-kind is $113,341.
• LARAMIE was recommended for approval of a $482,516 BRC grant to construct an underpass crossing at Grand Avenue - Garfield Street underpass for a trail system. The community match, made up of cash and in-kind is $507,484.
• LARAMIE COUNTY was recommended for approval of a $1.5 million BRC grant to construct a spec building for Cheyenne LEADS. The in-kind match is $601,128.
• LOVELL was recommended for approval of a $330,598 BRC grant for the Lovell Business Incubator Facility. The in-kind match is $75,245.
• LYMAN was recommended for approval of $1.5 million BRC grant, which is partial approval of its original BRC application for $1,623,747. The application is to construct a building on three downtown lots to provide usable space for four to five businesses. The in-kind match is $186,663.
• NATRONA COUNTY was recommended for approval of a $1,493,580 BRC grant to fund improvements to Morgan Street located within the airport’s business park. The community match is $165,533.
• POWELL was recommended for approval of a $450,000 BRC grant to construct a building to facilitate the expansion of Gluten Free Oats. The community match is $50,000.
• RANCHESTER was recommended for approval of a $489,500 BRC grant to enhance the town’s entryway and downtown. Please note the board approved $300,000 in CDBG funding as well. The community match comes from $44,500 in-kind funds and another $145,000 in Mineral Royalty funds.
• WASHAKIE COUNTY was recommended for approval of a $1,937,133 BRC grant to develop Phase I of the Fair View Industrial Park. The community match, made up of cash and in-kind is $215,126.
• WESTON COUNTY was recommended for approval of a $500,000 BRC grant to construct a building for an events center. The community match, made up of cash and in-kind is $569,000.
The board recommended against the following BRC applications: Cheyenne’s request for $285,820; Dubois’s request for $3 million; Laramie’s request for $2,983,102 for Basic Beginnings Early Learning Center; Lander’s request for $497,319; Lymans’ request for $1,457,300 for road and infrastructure enhancements; Riverton’s request for $2,466,000; and Teton County’s request for $455,715.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES GRANT APPLICATIONS
The board recommended approval of five applications totaling $5.6 million in state funds and $1.9 million community matches, leaving $3 million available for projects in 2010. The board reviewed six applications totaling $5.8 million for the $8.6 million available for funding this biennium. All recommendations for CFP projects will be forwarded to the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) for a final decision on Jan. 28, 2010.
Before the board makes its recommendation, staff reviews each application, conducts a site visit, presents to a board subcommittee and makes a recommendation to the board.
The Business Council administers the Community Facilities Grant and Loan Program, which assists communities with grant and loan funding to construct local enhancements to a school building or facility or preserve former school and government facilities that have existing or future community uses. The Business Council board is required by statute to forward CFP grant recommendations to the SLIB for final approval.
b>The board recommended approval for the following CFP requests:
• ENCAMPMENT was recommended for approval of a $1,005,158 CFP grant to renovate the historic Grand Encampment Opera House. The in-kind match is $318,095.
• ROCK SPRINGS was recommended for approval of a $1,493,946 CFP grant to renovate an existing city-owned structure that formerly housed the West/Rock Theater into a multi-use, performing arts and cinema venue for Sweetwater County. The community match, made of cash and in-kind is $661,830.
• EAST LARAMIE COUNTY JOINT POWERS BOARD was recommended for approval of a $1,498,500 CFP grant to update the former Pine Bluffs High School building for continued use as a community center. The in-kind match is $395,000.
• LINCOLN COUNTY was recommended for approval of a $1,300,451 CFP grant to rehabilitate and convert an existing vacant school located in Etna into a community center. The in-kind match is $366,000.
• SUBLETTE COUNTY was recommended for approval of a $320,690 CFP grant to renovate the Daniel Schoolhouse for community use. The in-kind match is $208,056.
The board did not recommend for approval of Park County’s application for $192,248.
The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming.
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