Cheyenne LEADS’ Manufacturing Spec Building Breaks Ground

CHEYENNE, Wyoming (September 20, 2011) – Cheyenne LEADS, the Cheyenne-Laramie County Corporation for Economic Development, hosted a groundbreaking this afternoon for its new Manufacturing Spec Building. This building will be located on LEADS’ rail-served acreage in the industrial component at Granite Peak Development’s Swan Ranch.

LEADS’ Manufacturing Spec Building will be available for companies looking to locate or relocate to the Laramie County area. A lack of available existing manufacturing facilities within the County is a barrier to the economic development of the community. The LEADS Manufacturing Spec Building will change that, with approximately 30,000 square feet of manufacturing space that is designed for expansion up to 75,000 square feet. Most significantly, this freespan building will have the capacity for a 50 ton crane with a 35 feet high hook height and will be adjacent to rail, which is key for many manufacturers.

The construction of this facility is made possible by a $1.5 million Business Ready Communities (BRC) grant through the Wyoming Business Council. Laramie County was the primary applicant. LEADS is providing project management as the local community development organization. The building will sit on 9 acres of land owned by LEADS.

Site work will start immediately with Phase 1 of construction tentatively scheduled for completion in Spring 2012. Phase 2 will entail customizing the LEADS Manufacturing Spec Building to the specific needs of the tenant. A committee of the LEADS Board of Directors reviewed all responses to LEADS’ RFP and interviewed qualified builders. After an extensive review of builder submittals, the Committee chose the low bidder, Cheyenne’s Stadel Construction as the general contractor.

LEADS Vice President Scott Sutherland explained that the key to this facility is its flexibility. He said, “In terms of layout, expandability and flow-through, multiple types of manufacturers will find this an excellent location. The LEADS Manufacturing Spec Building combined with our workforce, tax structure, accessibility to rail and two interstate highways will make it a very attractive site.”