SLIB Board Considers Big Horn Basin Projects

The State Loan and Investment Board will consider seven Business Ready Community grant requests this week, including three projects here in the Big Horn Basin.
The board will meet this Thursday, October 4th, in the Wyoming Department of Transportation Auditorium in Cheyenne. The SLIB is comprised of the five statewide elected officials: the governor, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer and state superintendent of public instruction.
Cody is requesting a $3 million grant and a $3 million loan to construct a facility for the expansion of Gunwerks firearms production. In five years, the project is expected to create jobs and increase payroll over $3 million dollars. Forward Cody Executive Director James Klessens says that the state sees companies like Gunwerks as an asset that they want to support to keep that type of business in Wyoming.

The board will consider two other projects in the Big Horn Basin on Thursday, as well. Powell requests a $2.6 million dollar grant to construct a conference and community center, which is a public-private partnership that will invest nearly $9 million in Powell and increase Powell’s room capacity by 50%.
And Big Horn County is requesting a $185,600 grant for the purchase and installation of a 250-foot Magic Carpet style surface lift for beginner skiers at the Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area. This project will create jobs and benefit local businesses and communities through increased tourism activities.
The SLIB will make final decisions on BRC project requests Thursday.