The Wyoming Business Council administers the BRC program. The program provides financing for publicly owned infrastructure that serves the needs of businesses and promotes economic development and diversity within Wyoming communities.

The Business Council Board of Directors is required by state statute to forward all BRC recommendations to the SLIB for final approval. The SLIB is comprised of Governor Matt Mead, Secretary of State Ed Murray, State Auditor Cynthia Cloud, State Treasurer Mark Gordon and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow.

Business Council staff review each application; conduct site visits, or conference calls in the case of planning grants, and make presentations to a Business Council board subcommittee before making final recommendations to the full Business Council board.

SLIB meeting materials can be found at here.

BRC Business Committed

• Casper-Natrona County Economic Development Joint Powers Board requests a $1,855,433 grant to build a sewer line along U.S. Highway 20/26 west of Casper to 33-Mile Road. This will allow businesses such as Nalco FabTech to expand and grow. The sewer infrastructure is important for any additional development in the area. Existing businesses in the area have water services but use septic tanks and leech fields to manage sewer needs. Nearby water and sewer districts and/or improvement and service districts do not want to assume sewer operations. FabTech has 140 employees and is ready to expand operations and plans to hire an additional 60 employees. Its current septic system is at capacity. (Funded by the SLIB in full)

BRC Community Readiness

• Campbell County requests a $1,465,000 grant and a $260,000 loan to buy land and buildings owned by Overland Investments. Campbell County will own the property and lease it to Energy Capital Economic Development. APEX (originally Intertech) will continue to lease space as an anchor tenant. The remaining space will be marketed by Energy Capital. The underutilized facility will be made available to house startup companies and small businesses needing a place to get started. Revenue will ensure a stable funding source for Energy Capital and will allow the creation of an economic development fund for future opportunities. (SLIB provided $1,240,000 in grant funding and $280,000 as a loan)

BRC Community Enhancement

• Bear River requests a $380,000 grant to demolish an existing building and build a new community facility on the site. Bear River, population 518, was incorporated June 1, 2001. Currently, the town hall and the community’s only gathering space is a 1980s double-wide trailer. The town intends to replace the trailer with a multifunctional building for the community to use and that would be inviting to potential business looking for a place to locate. (Funded by the SLIB in full)
• Chugwater requests a $100,645 grant to demolish restrooms in a town park and replace them with ADA-compliant restrooms, a utility room, a concession area a covered patio with picnic tables and a band shelter. The concession area and band shell will make the park more usable for events such as the Chili Cook-Off and the overall improvements will complete an important and affordable amenity for the community in its downtown district. (Funded by the SLIB in full)
• Cody requests a $450,644 grant to replace non-ADA-compliant park equipment. (SLIB tabled the application until a future meeting, inviting Cody to request a lesser amount)
• LaBarge requests a $248,816 grant to purchase a building to house a new senior/community center and a food bank. The project provides the area’s senior population with sufficient gathering space and training space for local businesses. Additionally, the facility will be large enough to have a proper food bank and community gathering space. Area companies indicated interest in using the facility for meetings and other company events. (Funded by the SLIB in full)
• Newcastle requests a $427,615 grant to build recreation sites. (SLIB did not fund but requested the town identify cost savings to the Business Council Board of Directors)

BRC Planning

• Carbon County requests a $25,000 grant to evaluate the need for senior at-risk housing alternatives in the Little Snake River communities. (SLIB provided a $15,000 grant)
• Glenrock requests a $37,500 grant to develop a Comprehensive Economic Development Plan. (SLIB did not fund)
• Platte County requests a $22,500 grant to hire an engineering firm to develop the long-range engineering and design needs for upgrades to South Guernsey Road and Tank Farm Road. (Funded by the SLIB in full)