City Backs Laramie Regional Airport Funding Request

February 19, 2004

City Backs Airport Funding Request 
Laramie Boomerang, WY


A proposed sewer extension project at the Laramie
Regional Airport is on hold pending approval of a $1.5
million grant application through the Business Ready
Communities program.

City and county officials have both endorsed the
project, even though the city will also compete for
grant funding to bolster infrastructure at the
city-owned Turner Tract.

“I think both projects have a good chance of getting
approved,” said airport board chairman Fred Ockers. 

The airport would use the funds to bring city sewer
lines to the airport, paving the way for future
development at a 120-acre business park there. It
currently uses five individual septic systems,
including one at the terminal station in dire need of
repair.

“Before we can seek any development at our business
park, we need to have a sewer line,” Ockers said. 

Airport officials had hoped to submit the application
with resolutions of support from the city and county.
The Laramie City Council supported the project
Tuesday, but with some reservation.

Councilwoman Jodi Guerin voted against the resolution,
saying it could hurt the city’s chances of receiving
$1.4 million through the program.

“It will look like we don’t know where we want to put
our efforts as a city council,” Guerin said. 

However, Guerin said she would support the airport
application if it was submitted during a different
grant cycle, when the city wasn’t also competing.

About $25.9 million will be doled out over the next
three years to help communities bolster local
infrastructure, including $8.4 million this spring and
fall.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal has requested in his budget an
additional $12.5 million for the program, freeing up
$15 million for each year of the next biennium. 

Ockers said the Wyoming Business Council is
anticipating about 20 grant applications during the
first funding cycle this spring. The results will be
announced in July.

The airport board recently approved a resolution
supporting the city’s grant application, which would
be used to develop roads, sewer and water lines at the
Turner Tract.

Councilwoman Jeanette Reisenburg urged fellow council
members to unanimously support the airport’s
resolution, with the hope that at least one project
would be funded.

“If we submitted two applications from the same
county, it might look like we are desperate for
money,” Reisenburg said.

Councilman Klaus Hanson said the airport project would
promote economic development in the city and county.

“If we vote against this, we’ll look like we’re
shooting ourselves in the foot,” Hanson said. 

The resolution passed 8-1. 



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