City anticipates $1 million windfall in impact funding

City applies for $5 million grant to support new housing development

Zoning change advances for future industrial park

Contract awarded for Elk Street realignment project

Safety upgrades approved for municipal airport

Council approves new police K-9 unit despite budget concerns

Developers address criticism, outline plans for coal conversion project

Commission chairman warns of revenue drop from power plant conversion

Industrial siting awards net county nearly $14 million since 2024

Legislative property tax cuts prompt procedural changes

County applies for $10.7 million grant for Fox Subdivision infrastructure

Strawberry Creek Road to be relocated

City anticipates $1 million windfall in impact funding

KEMMERER, Wyo. — Mayor Robert Bowen announced that the city of Kemmerer expects to receive an additional $1 million in impact assistance funds related to the TerraPower nuclear project. Bowen reported that the local school district opted out of the impact funding pool, which redistributed a larger share of the funds to the city. This allocation is contingent on the industrial project moving forward as scheduled and will be collected over a three-year period to help the city manage the strain on infrastructure and services caused by the influx of temporary workers.

City applies for $5 million grant to support new housing development

KEMMERER, Wyo. — The city council unanimously passed Resolution 2026-871, authorizing a grant application to the State Loan and Investment Board for approximately $5 million. The funds would be used to construct essential infrastructure, including a road, water lines and sewer systems, to support a proposed housing development near U.S. Highway 30 and Highway 189. City Planner Allison Thompkins explained that the developer would be responsible for costs exceeding the grant amount, with the infrastructure intended to facilitate the construction of apartments and single-family homes to address the area's housing shortage.

Zoning change advances for future industrial park

KEMMERER, Wyo. — The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone approximately 120 acres of land from residential and agricultural use to light industrial. The parcels, located south of Highway 30 and west of the Antelope Ridge subdivision, are intended to serve as a new industrial park. City Administrator Brian Muir stated that the zoning change is a necessary step to accommodate economic development opportunities. While the planning and zoning board noted some desire among residents for large-lot residential properties in that area, they ultimately recommended the change to foster economic growth.

Contract awarded for Elk Street realignment project

KEMMERER, Wyo. — The council awarded a $390,415 contract to R&D Sweeping for the Elk Street realignment project, which aims to improve the roadway and infrastructure in the designated area. A council member expressed concern regarding the choice of the lowest bidder, citing issues with previous street repair projects. However, the city engineer from Jorgensen Associates assured the council that the contractor would be held to strict specifications and that the bid offered significant cost savings, leading to the motion passing unanimously.

Safety upgrades approved for municipal airport

KEMMERER, Wyo. — The council approved multiple measures to upgrade the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at the Kemmerer Municipal Airport. The current system is outdated, resulting in frequent outages that have recently prevented medical life-flight helicopters from landing. The council authorized a professional services agreement with J-U-B Engineers and signed a grant application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Wyoming Department of Transportation to fund the replacement, which is expected to cost approximately $250,000 with a city match of roughly $3,125.

Council approves new police K-9 unit despite budget concerns

KEMMERER, Wyo. — The city council voted 5-1 to approve a $30,000 budget amendment to establish a new K-9 program for the Kemmerer Police Department. Police Chief Mike Kahre and an officer proposed the acquisition of a narcotics-detection dog, citing a rise in local drug activity and the lack of a K-9 unit in the southern part of the county following retirements in neighboring agencies. The funding, drawn from industrial impact funds, covers the purchase of the dog, training and vehicle retrofitting, though one council member voted against the measure, arguing the request should have gone through the standard annual budgeting process.

Developers address criticism, outline plans for coal conversion project

LINCOLN COUNTY, Wyo. — Brad Barham of TriSight and Evaunt Inc. appeared before the Lincoln County Commission to rebut recent online criticism regarding his companies' proposed coal-to-products ventures. Introduced by Treasurer Jerry Greenfield, Barham addressed corporate structuring inquiries and claimed the company has secured pre-approval for a $148 million release, pending finalization. Barham told the board the company intends to purchase the Kemmerer Materials Facility and break ground this spring on infrastructure work, with plans to manufacture products using local coal and mineral water.

Commission chairman warns of revenue drop from power plant conversion

LINCOLN COUNTY, Wyo. — Commissioners discussed reports that Rocky Mountain Power has begun converting Naughton Power Plant Units 1 and 2 to natural gas, a process expected to keep the units offline until May and significantly reduce tax revenue from coal. Leadership warned that while the state legislature reports only a 3 percent cut, the financial impact on the county budget could be much more severe, citing Sweetwater County's recent announcement regarding potential staff reductions. The commission noted that the shift away from coal will have tangible impacts on the county's financial outlook.

Industrial siting awards net county nearly $14 million since 2024

LINCOLN COUNTY, Wyo. — During an annual report presentation, Chief of Staff Stephen Allen announced that Lincoln County has been awarded $36.4 million in Industrial Siting Council funds since 2024. Allen noted that the county's direct portion of those funds totals $13,847,688.50, with the remainder distributed among cities, towns, and special districts.

Legislative property tax cuts prompt procedural changes

LINCOLN COUNTY, Wyo. — The commission discussed the administrative impacts of the new 25 percent homeowner property tax exemption, known as Senate File 69, recently imposed by the state legislature. Officials noted that residents must now utilize an online application process to receive the property tax reductions. The board reviewed the legislative bills and discussed the potential long-term impacts these cuts may have on county operations.

County applies for $10.7 million grant for Fox Subdivision infrastructure

LINCOLN COUNTY, Wyo. — The commission voted unanimously to approve a resolution for an Unmet Housing Grant application to fund water and sewer lines for the Fox Subdivision. County Grants Writer Mary Crosby presented the application, noting the total project cost exceeds $10.7 million. The resolution authorizes the county to apply for the funds, which will require a match for infrastructure from the Fox Subdivision totaling more than $7 million.

Strawberry Creek Road to be relocated

LINCOLN COUNTY, Wyo. — The commission unanimously passed a resolution to partially vacate and relocate a portion of Strawberry Creek County Road 12-126 to allow for the realignment of infrastructure in that area; however, specific details regarding the new route or the rationale for the relocation were not immediately available at the meeting.

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