Workshop looks at potential of brownfield properties

Last week at the Hot Springs County Museum, several attended a free brownfields workshop hosted by Thermopolis-Hot Springs County Economic Development Company (EDC), the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program at Kansas State University.

Amanda Moeller, the CEO for EDC said the workshop went very well. One of the highlights was from Mark Walker of the TAB program, who presented a photo slideshow of town properties that could be considered brownfields. Moeller further explained brownfields are those sites — Thermopolis has several — that are perceive as having hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead-based paint.

During the workshop, Moeller said, Commissioner Brad Basse was in attendance as well as County Planner Bo Bowman, though there was no representative for the Town. Such representation is important, she noted, because it is the Town and County representatives who apply for EPA and DEQ funding to remediate issues.

There was a lot of information, Moeller said, regarding writing grants for property assessments, planning and even clean up. These grants make it so there is little, even no cost to property owners who want to determine what is on their property or what kind of project(s) they might do.

Moeller said there was also information on success stories across the state, and such successes are also possible here. Going forward, a post-workshop meeting is already being talked about, to put information gleaned from this workshop to good use, looking at properties and seeing if some grants can be obtained.

Moeller also expressed her appreciation to the Hot Springs County Museum for going above and beyond by providing space for the workshop, opening early and finding extra seating.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Meri Ann Rush said the workshop was very informative, and she appreciates the opportunity to learn what options are available to the town.

She further added it was great the program could be presented here.

County Planner Bo Bowman said the workshop was very upbeat and encouraging, and was excited to see the projects that are happening in the state, such as the renovation of the Roundhouse in Evanston and the Union Pacific station project in Green River.

Bowman enjoyed seeing the repurposing of properties that had problems such as asbestos, lead paint and solvent, and he’s hopeful the program can be utilized here as well.