A $3 million grant will result in improvements to the Sweetwater County Events Complex if it’s approved by state officials.
The Sweetwater County commissioners approved a request to apply for a grant aimed to improving infrastructure at the events complex to allow the complex to host larger events drawing between 8,000-12,000 attendees. The grant application will be sent to the Wyoming Business Council for consideration under its Business Ready Community grant program.
Infrastructure targeted by the project would allow for a 10-acre expansion, which includes development of additional restrooms, lighting and the construction of 800 horse stalls. Grant documents released by the county also indicate a number of public benefits would result from the project, which list additional sales-tax revenue as well as the development of a market niche and county promotion at the state, national and international levels.
The grant request totals $2.48 million, which would be matched with $519,231 to bring the total grant project budget to an even $3 million. The county’s matching portion was approved with the 2015-2016 budget.
Larry Lloyd, director of the events complex said the complex is only able to host smaller-scaled events with its current facilities. He said the project will bring additional infrastructure to the camper areas which will help them support more people.
The largest event the events complex has hosted during the past several years is the National High School Finals Rodeo, which recently completed its four-year run in Rock Springs in July. The event brings 1,500 competitors and their families to the county, a majority of who do camp at the complex with their horses.
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