Communities unite — Newcastle, Upton collaborate on rare earth initiative and community cleanup
Newcastle formalized a rare, collaborative request to the Wyoming Legislature with the town of Upton, urging lawmakers to support a funding package that would prepare both communities for economic growth tied to the state’s emerging rare earth elements industry.
During its Dec. 1 meeting, the Newcastle City Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Tyrel Owens to sign a joint letter with Upton Mayor Nick Trandahl. The News Letter Journal was unable to secure comment from Upton on the collaboration by press time.
The letter, dated Dec. 1, outlines Wyoming’s opportunity to secure a leadership position in the domestic production and processing of rare earth elements, which are essential for defense systems, renewable energy and modern electronics.
The letter notes that a demonstration rare earth processing plant is already under construction in Upton and is preparing to begin operations. The letter states that a full-scale commercial facility is “within reach” and would generate high-paying jobs, attract new businesses and help stabilize rural economies.
They stress, however, that local communities cannot shoulder the necessary housing, infrastructure and redevelopment costs on their own.
“We have the chance to secure Wyoming’s economic prosperity, safeguard America’s national security and breathe new life into our rural communities,” the letter says.
It also argues that Wyoming has the domestic resources and workforce to break China’s overwhelming dominance of the global rare earth market, where China currently controls more than 80% of production.
At the council meeting, Owens echoed the urgency conveyed in the letter. He said Newcastle is positioned to serve as a bedroom community for workers employed at Upton’s pilot plant and any future commercial facility, creating new demand for housing and commercial services.
Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff told the council that Upton and Newcastle have been coordinating for some time now. He said the shared-funding request is designed to help both communities address dilapidated properties and prepare available lots for redevelopment, allowing them to use existing infrastructure instead of constructing entirely new subdivisions.
“It’s one way we’re trying to take care of the issues we’ve been talking about for so long,” Stumpff said, emphasizing that the cleanup and redevelopment efforts could support economic diversification.
The letter submitted to lawmakers highlights that Weston County already has rail infrastructure capable of moving rare earth materials from mine sites to Upton for processing, and potentially to Newcastle if manufacturing facilities emerge in the future. The letter states that both communities “are ready” and need state support to ensure that they can meet the demands of a rapidly expanding industry.
“This is bigger than one plant or two communities,” the letter states. “It’s about Wyoming becoming a cornerstone of America’s energy and technology future, a future built on economic diversification, secure supply chains and thriving rural communities.”
It concludes with a request that legislators vote yes on any bill that provides funding to prepare Wyoming for the rare earth opportunity.
Owens expressed strong support during the meeting, noting that discussions about rare earth development have been underway for years. He said the communities’ partnership strengthens their case.
With the letter now moving to Cheyenne, local officials said they hope state lawmakers recognize the urgency.
“I’m excited,” Owens said after the council vote. “I’d really like to see where this goes.”
Trandahl told the News Letter Journal in a Dec. 9 email that the collaboration is necessary and that, from Upton’s perspective, working with Newcastle in supporting the emerging rare earth industry “is a great thing.”
“Having rare earth processing taking place in Upton is a win-win for all of us in Weston County, especially if it entices manufacturing and other residual industries to both Newcastle and Upton,” he said. “The voice of each of our communities is stronger when spoken together as one, and we look forward to using that stronger voice to urge the state to support this critical industry and opportunity for Wyoming.”