Gov 10-13-19
Gov. Mark Gordon is pleased to announce that the
U.S. Economic Development Administration has awarded the City of Kemmerer
$138,950 in grant funding to support redevelopment and revitalization.
The grant will pay half the cost of developing a detailed economic
diversification strategy and hiring an impact manager for a two-year period to
implement the plan. It will help Kemmerer and Lincoln County prepare,
strengthen, and diversify its economy in anticipation of the likely upcoming
retirement of the Naughton #1 and #2 coal-fired power plants.
“Our focus is on the workers and communities that will be impacted by these
announced closures,” Governor Mark Gordon said. “I’m glad to see that the
community is taking a proactive role in charting its future.”
Kemmerer partnered with Rocky Mountain Power, the Wyoming Business Council, the
South Lincoln Economic Development Corporation, the Lincoln County Economic
Development Joint Powers Board and Lincoln County to provide the match for the
grant.
“It’s crucial to have close partnerships with private industry, the county and
the state as we move Kemmerer toward some really successful ventures,” said
Mayor Anthony Tomassi. “We have a really good team.”
The diversification study will explore target industries, tourism opportunities
and quality of life initiatives to identify specific tasks and achievable goals
for Kemmerer to pursue. After the study is complete, Kemmerer will hire an
impact manager to carry out the plan.
“The lack of such a position in the past has
been one of the biggest reasons our past efforts did not make the progress
toward economic diversification we had hoped for,” Tomassi said.
Kemmerer’s diversification strategy will focus on value-added markets and
development for natural resources, manufacturing processes for value-added
projects, training and apprenticeships, tourism and entrepreneurial
development, and infrastructure improvement.