Press Room ::

For Release:
June 19, 2008

For more information contact:
Matt Cox
Senior Marketing and Public Relations Specialist
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2833

SLIB decides Business Council grants

CHEYENNE –The State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) gave final approval on five grant and one loan applications for Business Ready Community funding and one Community Facilities grant application today in Cheyenne.

By State statute, the Wyoming Business Council Board of Directors forwards its recommendations for applications for Business Ready Community and Community Facilities grants and loans to SLIB for final decision. 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.

BUSINESS READY COMMUNITY GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM
The Business Ready Community applications which received approval from SLIB were:
The town of Glenrock was approved for a $1.5 million BRC grant to construct a building to recruit and grow A-Square of Wyoming, LLC. A-Square manufactures and exports high-power rifles and ammunition. Glenrock will provide a community match of $376,285.

Sublette County was approved for a $3 million BRC grant to purchase land and construct a building which will be leased by Callaghan Cabinets and Millwork, LLC. Sublette County will purchase the property and construct a commercial facility for the expansion of cabinet manufacturing. Sublette County will provide a match of $330,000.

The city of Evanston was approved for a $1.5 million BRC grant to construct a quarter-mile section of Commerce Drive, as well as install water, sewer and related infrastructure. The Commerce Drive expansion will give both current and future Union Center businesses easier access to I-80 and the airport, while simultaneously avoiding a high density residential area with potential safety hazards. Evanston will provide a community match of $911,644.

Teton County was approved for a $1.5 million BRC grant and a $1.5 million loan to construct a new parking lot, restrooms and guest services associated with Teton Village. The new paved parking lot will enable enhanced year-round tourism as well as new business development and redevelopment at Teton Village. Teton County will provide a match of $4,211,160.

Agreeing with the Business Council board’s recommendation, SLIB did not approve the town of Pinedale’s application for a $2,690,188 BRC grant. Sweetwater County withdrew its application for a $1,660,846 BRC grant.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM
The Community Facility application which received approval from SLIB was:
The Washakie County Joint Powers Board was approved for a $1,073,531 CFP grant for the Worland Community Center Complex. Renovations will include installation of an automatic sprinkler system, bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, masonry and floor repair, stage construction, windows, parking lot, and general interior work. The city of Worland will provide a match of $300,000.

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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