Pinedale local news summary

"Fifth Penny" Sales Tax Headed for May Ballot After Industrial Siting Deal

Council Approves $3.7 Million Plan for Larger Airport Hangar

South Jackson Park Eyed for 60-Unit Affordable Housing Project

Town to Switch Cellular Service from Union Wireless to T-Mobile

Power and Lights Coming to Town Food Truck Lot

County Secures Impact Funding Agreement for Dry Piney Project

MOU Is For Blue Spruce’s Dry Piney Helium & Carbon Sequestration Project

"Fifth Penny" Sales Tax Headed for May Ballot After Industrial Siting Deal

PINEDALE - Pinedale residents will likely vote on a 1% specific purpose "fifth penny" sales tax this May, a move prompted by a regional industrial siting agreement for a new helium plant in Sublette County. Mayor Matt Murdock announced that Pinedale, Marbleton, and Big Piney are coordinating to place the measure on the ballot. Passing the tax is a prerequisite for Sublette County to receive its share of an estimated $14.7 million in industrial impact funds, of which Pinedale would receive approximately $368,000. If approved by voters, the fifth penny is projected to nearly double the town's annual sales tax revenue, providing an estimated additional $1.2 million for infrastructure projects and town services.

Council Approves $3.7 Million Plan for Larger Airport Hangar

PINEDALE - The Town Council unanimously approved moving forward with a larger, more expensive option for a new hangar at Ralph Wenz Field, citing significant long-term revenue potential. The council chose "Option B," a 15,000-square-foot hangar with a fire suppression system, estimated to cost $3.7 million. While nearly $1 million more than the smaller alternative, town staff reported the larger hangar could accommodate bigger corporate jets and generate up to $500,000 annually in lease and fuel sale revenue. The fire suppression system can also be expanded to serve future hangars, making the airport more attractive for private development.

South Jackson Park Eyed for 60-Unit Affordable Housing Project

PINEDALE - Plans are in motion to transform the town-owned lot at 210 South Jackson into a major affordable housing development. In response to a citizen's question about beautifying the underused park, Mayor Murdock revealed the town is in discussions with developers and engineering firms to build a neighborhood of approximately 60 affordable housing units on the property. The project is still in preliminary stages, but the mayor stated it is a high priority to address the community's housing shortage. The council is not inclined to spend money on park improvements until the housing project's direction is finalized.

Town to Switch Cellular Service from Union Wireless to T-Mobile

PINEDALE - Citing persistent service issues including dropped and missed calls to on-call staff, the Town Council voted to switch its cellular service provider from Union Wireless to T-Mobile. Town staff presented cost comparisons between T-Mobile and Verizon, with T-Mobile’s plan for the town’s devices estimated at approximately $7,475 per year. The council approved the switch in a 4-0 vote, aiming to improve reliability for all town departments.

Power and Lights Coming to Town Food Truck Lot

PINEDALE - The town’s food truck lot is set to receive significant upgrades, including power pedestals and lighting, with a target completion for the fall/winter season. Public Works Director Abram (Abe) Pearce reported that final designs are complete and crews will soon stake locations for three power pedestals to serve food trucks. The project also includes installing light poles to create a more inviting environment for patrons. Landscaping work on the front portion of the lot is planned for next spring.

County Secures Impact Funding Agreement for Dry Piney Project

SUBLETTE COUNTY - Sublette County has successfully negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sweetwater, Lincoln, and Uinta counties regarding industrial siting impact funds for the Dry Piney project.

MOU Is For Blue Spruce’s Dry Piney Helium & Carbon Sequestration Project

SUBLETTE COUNTY — Blue Spruce Operating’s Dry Piney project near LaBarge would develop new gas-production pads, pipelines and a helium/natural-gas processing complex alongside acid-gas injection wells to permanently store captured CO₂. Designed to produce more than 800 million cubic feet of liquid helium per year, the facility is among North America’s largest planned helium projects and aims to begin operations in the second half of 2028; two CO₂ capture trains are expected to sequester up to 4.5 million metric tons annually. The project sits on the LaBarge Anticline, has entered federal scoping with the Bureau of Land Management, and has received $6 million from Wyoming’s Energy Matching Funds program.  

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