Several jobs could be brought to the Laramie community in the coming years with the development of a new technology park. The city has taken on the responsibility of providing basic infrastructure for the park, city officials said.
A 149-acre parcel of land located north of town was purchased by the city after the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) approved a grant of $5.4 million in January 2013 for the Cirrus Sky Technology Park.
Community Development Director Randy Hunt said the infrastructure construction for the area began about three weeks ago and is slated to be complete by Oct. 31, 2014.
“If we construct the underground sewer systems and bring running water to the area, that is a cost incoming businesses won’t have to pay,” Hunt said. “It will make the park more attractive to start a business.”
When construction is completed, 22nd and 30th streets will be fully paved into the park. The area will have completed curbs and sidewalks. Electricity is being wired to the area as well, Hunt said.
The idea of the Cirrus Sky Technology Park came after Microsoft and other companies of the like decided to settle in Cheyenne because Laramie lacked land with preexisting infrastructure to build businesses on, City Manager Janine Jordan told Wyoming Public Media.
“Often graduates from the university with high tech degrees would like to stay in Laramie and can’t because the job market does not supply what they are looking for,” Hunt said. “With the jobs that will be in Cirrus Sky, those graduates’ jobs could be in Laramie.”
The tech park offers lots at 20-40 acres each. UW is set to close on the purchase of a lot next Wednesday, Hunt said. He said the university plans to use this for partnering with private sectors; no classrooms or laboratories would be located at this new section of campus.
Another business that has spoken for one of the lots is Underwriters Laboratories, an international consumer safety testing company. The company is coming to Laramie in June and will be in the Wyoming Technology Business center until they can build a venue for its operations in the tech park, Hunt said. This company alone could provide 30-50 jobs in the local Laramie economy.
Hunt admitted the park will probably not completely fill with businesses as soon as the city’s construction is complete.
“There are 999 cities that can host the same business; it just depends on what city is the right fit for the business,” said Hunt. “With UW and a high tech focus in Cirrus Sky, we may be just what they are looking for.”
Laramie can put itself at an advantage over other cities by providing infrastructure for a certain kind of business.
Hunt said there has been very large interest in the project. While the Community Development Department welcomes anyone with interest in the park to contact them, Hunt said there could be some safety concerns with onlookers if they are too near to the site, considering it is the second biggest construction project in town.
“If someone is keen on getting close, we are willing to go up with the right safety equipment with them,” said Hunt.
In the future, Cirrus Sky Technology Park is planning to have out-lots for private businesses and green-space near with a walking and biking path.
