Industrial complex, fact or fiction?

Is the vision of a mega Industrial Complex a reality for Southwestern Wyoming? Many believe it is possible while others have concerns about the potential for such a project in the vast open spaces of western Wyoming. Today information is being gathered to evaluate the potential and partnerships exist to move forward with this very ambitious concept.

The idea was first brought to light last year by the Governor's office and state   legislature. Whom had recently visited Alberta's Industrial Heartland Complex in Alberta, Canada and were impressed with the value added products many of the   companies were producing from waste stream by products. Gov. Matt Mead then started important discussions with private business partners and how they viewed a project of this magnitude. The state of Wyoming is in a unique position because of the abundance of naturally occurring mineral deposits found in large portions of the state. The state could also assist in streamline permitting, industrial citing, pipeline and transmission line corridors along with monitoring health and safety issues for workers.

Fast forward to today and you will find a variety of activities in several Wyoming communities vying to be considered for an industrial complex if and when it were to become a reality. Sweetwater County along with southwestern Wyoming have been mentioned on many occasions as a logical fit for the industrial complex. With its diverse mix of minerals and large scale plant operations already developed it does seem plausible that an industrial complex could be located somewhere in southwestern Wyoming.

There are many factors that will go into the final decision as to where a potential site or sites for value added products development will be located. Sweetwater County has many of the assets that will be needed if the industrial complex concept moves forward.

First, we are blessed with an abundance of coal, trona, natural gas, oil, uranium, just to name a few.

Second, we have a major transportation corridor that includes Union Pacfic mainline rails and I-80.

Third, a large workforce already trained in the mining sector.

Fourth, Western Wyoming Community College has an extensive training program in the specific field that will be needed to staff a complex of this nature.

Fifth, there is available water and land to accommodate future growth. Colorado has an eye on the Green River and its water; what better way to utilize this resource then by creating Wyoming jobs instead of having it transferred to the Front Range.

Sixth, Sweetwater County has a young population with large enrollments in our school districts. Literally, our children are our future potential workforce.

With projections to have 10,000 students enrolled by 2017 between school districts no. 1 and no. 2, we need to have quality well-paying jobs to retain the students that graduate.

In order to make a case for southwestern Wyoming the Rock Springs Chamber has partnered with the City of Rock Springs, the City of Green River and the Sweetwater County Commissioners to develop a regional profile and industrial complex sell sheet. In order to accomplish this goal, Ady Advantage has been hired to develop an approach to positioning and marketing our area as the prime location for an industrial complex in Wyoming. The completed collateral will include a four page regional profile, two page industrial park sell sheet and a four page "Why Wyoming?" data sheet. It will be branded as a Sweetwater County product.

The Rock Springs chamber is working to gather all the requested data from workforce, housing, utilities, demographics, education, mapping, and much more.

This has become a true collaboration and partnership with both cities and county playing a leading role in moving our first phase forward. At the county level, the commission has been very successful in engaging three of the surrounding counties to support a regional proposal not just Sweetwater County. This has many advantages and makes sense because of labor markets and low population of Wyoming.

It also makes sense because it is very likely that the industrial complex project will not be one large megaplex, but rather a cluster of developments. As of now we are waiting to receive a profile request from Gov. Mead's office. Once that happens, the process will begin and we will need to be proactive in determining our future.

As with any new undertaking there are many more question than answers. Where will it be located? How much will it cost? How long will it take to build? How do we protect our quality of life and the environment? What private industrial partners are willing to invest?

How many jobs will we create? How do we manage air quality? The list is very long indeed, however if Wyoming ever wants to change the pattern of boom and bust new ideas must be explored. This is a long term project and will take many years to develop. We are taking the first steps to provide our businesses and communities with proactive options for the future.