City gains grants — Grant writer secures millions in funding, pursues additional support for city projects
The city’s investment in grant writing is paying off, with officials reporting millions of dollars secured or in progress for local projects.
During a recent council meeting, grant and loan specialist Beth Blackwell delivered her semiannual report, highlighting successful applications, ongoing funding efforts and future priorities.
“The best news I have to tell you is I cost you less than I made you,” Blackwell told the council.
Since beginning as the city’s grant writer six months ago, Blackwell said, she has submitted four grant applications and secured funding for three of them. Among the awards was $30,000 from the Office of State Lands and Investments, covering half the cost of a community service officer vehicle, as well as a $400,000 grant from the Office of Homeland Security to fund backup generators for the city’s water system.
“If your power goes out, you still get to drink water — and clean water at that,” she said.
In addition to grants, the city recently received two loans through the State Loan and Investment Board. One provides $521,000 for the West Railroad improvement project, along with $130,250 in principal forgiveness at 0% interest. A second $250,000 clean water loan includes $62,500 in principal forgiveness, also at 0% interest.
Blackwell said additional funding requests are still pending, including a $400,000 application through the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s diesel reduction program for two dump trucks.
City officials are also awaiting a decision on an unmet housing grant that could bring up to $400,000 to the community. Blackwell said she plans to leverage that funding by seeking matching contributions from local industry and other partners.
“I’ll leverage that $400,000 every way I possibly can,” she said.
She noted that collaboration with neighboring communities, including Upton, has strengthened funding opportunities and drawn positive attention from state leaders.
Looking ahead, Blackwell said she is preparing multiple new applications, including funding for a backyard park, water system improvements and equipment needed to identify lead service lines, as required by federal deadlines.
Beyond grant writing, Blackwell said she has spent time working with legislators during the recent session to support a proposed county wide consensus funding program. The program would allocate state funds directly to counties, allowing local leaders to prioritize projects without competing against statewide proposals.
Although the proposal did not receive funding this session, it has been assigned as an interim topic, meaning lawmakers will continue studying how to create a sustainable funding source.
Blackwell said she is also researching alternative funding strategies, including foundation grants that may come with fewer regulatory requirements than federal dollars. She said this will save the city money by avoiding federal requirements.
City officials praised Blackwell’s work, estimating that her efforts have already helped secure roughly $2.3 million, with an additional $4.6 million in potential funding in progress.
Mayor and council members said her work has not only brought in funding but also helped the city stay on track with deadlines, preventing missed opportunities.
“She’s truly proven herself to be an asset to our community and bringing in a lot of funding so that we can get some work done,” Mayor Tyrel Owens said.
Blackwell said her goal is to continue identifying funding sources and maximizing opportunities for the city.
“As long as I keep coming up here and I’m costing you less than what I’m bringing in, I think I’m doing my job well,” she said.