Gov. Mark Gordon voted last week to support communities across Wyoming using Mineral Royalty Grants during a special virtual meeting of the State Loan and Investment Board, approving $3,673,931 in funding for 11 towns and districts.
The meeting, held July 2, was called to review earlier 2026 projects for potential additional funds from grant reserves. Four of the approved projects had received no previous funding. The other seven had previously received partial funding and were recommended to be fully funded during the meeting. Projects included critical fire protection, water, cistern and sewer upgrades and street repair work. Among the communities receiving funds, Sundance was approved to replace a deteriorating culvert, Pine Haven to install a backup generator to improve emergency readiness, and Moorcroft to move forward with sewer system improvements.
“Our Wyoming communities continue to struggle meeting the challenges of addressing aging water, sewer, and other infrastructure needs including being prepared for emergencies,” Gordon said. “Mineral Royalty Grants help ease the burden of funding essential and extraordinary projects. Using these funds wisely also helps to keep local taxes low. I am always encouraged by how well communities from across the state cooperate to try to make the best use of these limited funds. I was pleased we were able to find the ability to use some reserves from the last biennium to get these previously unfunded but critical projects the funds they need to move forward.”
The board denied two other recommendations from communities that had already received full funding for separate projects. Several board members said they wanted to maintain reserves to help communities in the future when emergency infrastructure needs arise.
The next meeting of the State Loan and Investment Board is scheduled for August 6, 2026.