Energy Industry Growth Gives Hope for Joint Powers Board Land Sales
The booming energy industry gives hope for the board that oversees the former Amoco refinery and tank farm sites.
The businesses that support oil and gas development need land to establish or expand their operations
And the Amoco Reuse Agreement Joint Powers Board has the ready-to-go land they need, chairman Bryce Row said.
"Right now, the Joint Powers Board feels very optimistic that we're going to have more interest in our lots because of the location, but also because it allows space for industrial expansion," Row said.
The Salt Creek Heights Business Center. northeast of Casper, has roads and other infrastructure near Interstate 25, he said.
"As of right now we don't have any contracts in place with any one person," Row said. "We are getting calls, we are fielding requests to look at the property and I do know a couple of people are looking at designs for infrastructure on the property."
The board is composed of representatives from the City of Casper and Natrona County. Its mission is to create as many jobs as were lost when the refinery closed in 1991. Besides the business center, the board is in charge of overseeing the development of the refinery property itself, which is just south of the North Platte River.
In June, Casper City Council approved a pass-through lease of agreement of 18 acres of the former refinery property, now known as the Platte River Commons, for a conference center. The city will spend almost $5.1 million to lease the land, and then sublease the same property to a private developer.
While the conference center plans have a long way to go, Row called the lease a major milestone.
"Our odds of achievement went up immensely with the lease agreement with the City of Casper, but it's definitely not 100 percent yet," he said.