SWEETWATER COUNTY — The Sweetwater County Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to provide a $222,222 grant match for a Wyoming Business Council grant to go toward the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport’s Commercial Terminal Modernization Project.
The Commissioners previously agreed to provide the match, but made it official with a budget amendment. The Rock Springs City Council will also be voting Tuesday night to provide their portion of the match.
The Wyoming Business Council grant is for $3 million and the total cost of the project is about $18.5 million.
If the submission is accepted, the Wyoming Business Council will be providing 16.2 percent of the costs for the project. Other funding sources include the Federal Aviation Administration and the Wyoming Department of Transportation, which together are providing $14 million, or 76.5 percent of the project.
The local responsibility for the project will be $1.3 million, or 7.3 percent, if the Wyoming Business Council grant is approved.
The purpose of the project is the following:
- To develop the terminal to be capable of accommodating the future needs of the region
- Increase the hold room capacity from 47 to 136 passengers
- Increase the TSA Checkpoint space
- Move the checked bag screening
- Introduce Passenger Boarding Bridge equipment to improve customer experience
- Introduce traditional baggage claim equipment to improve operational efficiencies
In addition to approving the budget amendment, the Commissioners also approved a letter of support to go to the Wyoming Business Council.
The letter shows the County’s support for the Airport and the project by showing the county has “skin in the game”, Wendling said.
The letter states the County has committed $350,000 to the project. Read the letter below:
