Pat Robbins
Sweetwater Economic Development Association (SWEDA)
1400 Dewar Drive, Suite 205A, Rock Springs, WY 82901
Phone: 307.352.6874 Toll Free: 800.803.6362
E-mail: parobbin@wyoming.com
Web: www.sweda.net
Rock Springs is located in southwest Wyoming at the strategic crossroads of Interstate 80 and US Highway 191. I-80 follows the East-West corridor of historic transcontinental trails, railroads, pipelines and telecommunications lines and US Highway 191 is the North-South corridor running all the way from Mexico to Canada, a string of pearls connecting Arches National Park, Moab, and Dinosaur National Monument to Flaming Gorge, the Windriver Mountains in the Bridger Wilderness, and the Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The city now has nearly 19,000 residents and is truly booming.
Formed by the railroad and coal mines, Rock Springs offers a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike. Established in 1888 as a mining town, the natural resources around the area are the driving force behind the Rock Springs economy. For years the area provided millions of tons of coal to feed the nation's locomotives. Today, the Rock Springs area continues to have a leadership role in the nation's energy production. Over half of the workforce is employed by industry, principally mining, petroleum, power generation and related services.
The weather in Sweetwater County is quite enjoyable with the average annual temperature at 44 degrees. In January, the average temperature is 18 degrees and July is 68 degrees. During most years, the county receives more moisture in the form of snow rather than rain. Most days are clear, with an overall average of sunny 244 days.
Western Wyoming Community College is located in Rock Springs with a total of full-time credit students 1,030. The college makes every effort to be responsive to training/retraining needs of industry and business. A business requesting training has the option of being trained on the college campus or the work site. The Western Wyoming Community College also has a small art gallery and displays of prehistoric animals and artifacts.
The Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County is an acute care facility that offers 24 hour physician staffed emergency department. The hospital has complete100 beds in-patient and out-patient services along with state-of-the-art diagnostic radiology, and clinical laboratory service; out-patient dialysis; Lifeline program and JCAHO and Medicare accredited.
The Sand Dunes, just a few miles north of Rock Springs, are the largest in North America. Rock Springs’ magnificent high desert scenery and fishing and hunting are the equal of any in America. Nearby recreation includes flat and white-water recreation on Flaming Gorge and the Green River, unique off-road adventures in the Killpecker Sand Dunes, the Wild Horse Loop on White Mountain or wildlife watching in the Green River Basin and the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. The Rock Springs Community Fine Arts Center features local and nationally known artist’s works. The city combines beauty and recreation with art and culture.
Community Information
County |
Sweetwater |
Population/County |
37,975 |
Population/City |
18,772 |
*Source: Department of A&I - July 2005 Estimate
Workforce
Labor Force in County |
23,925 |
| Employment in County |
23,257 |
Estimated County Unemployment Rate |
2.8% |
*Source: Wyoming Department of Employment - January 2007 Estimate
Taxes
Personal Income Tax Rate |
Zero |
Corporate Income Tax Rate |
Zero |
Sales Tax Rate |
6% |
Source: Wyoming Department of Revenue - As of 4/1/07
Property Tax and Mill Levy
County Tax Rate |
12 |
City Tax Rate |
8 |
School District Tax Rate |
43.6 |
Community College |
5 |
Special Districts |
3.024 |
Total Mill Levy |
71.624 |
*Source: Wyoming Taxpayers Association
*Mill levies are assessed on 9.5% of market value for commercial and residential and 11% on industrial property
*County mill levies may include general, airport, public health, fire, hospital, libraries, fair, recreation, museums, bonds and interest
*Special levies may include conservation, fire, hospital, recreation, cemetery, solid waste
Education
| Number of Elementary Schools |
8 |
| Number of Junior High/Middle Schools |
3 |
| Number of High Schools |
3 |
Total District Enrollment |
4,240 |
2004-2005 High School Graduates |
257 |
Graduation Rate |
78.834 |
Students per Teacher Ratio 2005 |
13.84:1 |
Average 2004-2005 ACT Scores |
21.5 |
Expenditures per ADM (Average Daily Membership) |
$9,407 |
Sweetwater County School District #1 |
|
*Source: Wyoming Department of Education
Nearby Colleges and Universities
| School |
City |
State |
Distance |
Enrollment |
| Western Wyoming Community College |
Rock Springs |
WY |
0 mi |
3,927 |
| Central Wyoming College |
Riverton |
WY |
108.02 mi |
1,488 |
| Utah State University |
Logan |
UT |
136.3 mi |
22,000 |
| Weber State University |
Ogden |
UT |
145.94 mi |
18,300 |
| Salt Lake Community College |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
151.11 mi |
8,165 |
| University of Utah |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
151.11 mi |
28,000 |
| Westminster College |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
151.11 mi |
2,400 |
| Utah Valley State College |
Orem |
UT |
157.76 mi |
24,487 |
| Brigham Young University |
Provo |
UT |
158.88 mi |
30,200 |
| University of Wyoming |
Laramie |
WY |
188.24 mi |
13,300 |
Transportation:
Highways/Railways
Name of Interstate |
I-80 |
Proximity to Interstate Highway |
Less than a mile |
Name of Highway |
US 191 |
Proximity to Major Highways |
Less than a mile |
Name of Rail Service |
UPRR |
Proximity to Rail Service |
Less than a mile |
Air Travel
Nearest Commercial Airport |
Sweetwater County Airport |
Distance to Commercial Airport |
7 Miles |
Nearest Private Airport |
- |
Distance to Private Airport |
- |
Distance to
Denver, Colorado |
346 Miles |
Billings, Montana |
385 Miles |
Salt Lake City, Utah |
186 Miles |
Boise, Idaho |
478 Miles |
Omaha, Nebraska |
753 Miles |
Rapid City, South Dakota |
500 Miles |
Freight Carriers
Number of Motor Freight Carriers |
6 |
Number of Parcel Providers |
3 |
Number of Rail Service Providers |
1 |
Utilities:
Electrical Provider
Company |
Pacificorp |
Average Commercial Rate/KWH (<25kva Investor Owned, <1000kva Coop) |
$0.0595 |
Average Industrial Rate/KWH (<25kva Investor Owned, <1000kva Coop) |
$0.0381 |
*Source: Wyoming Public Service Commission
Natural Gas
Company |
Questar |
Average Commercial Cost/MCF |
$5.7914 |
Average Industrial Cost/MCF |
$3.2315 |
*Public Service Commission provided statewide averages
*Source: Wyoming Public Service Commission 2004 Rates
*Kinder Morgan Rates stated as Statewide Avg. rate per Wyoming PSC
Telecommunications
Telecommunication Providers |
Qwest |
Broadband Provider |
Qwest |
Water/Waste Services
Public or Private |
- |
Water Source |
JP Water Board |
Water Maximum Gallons Per Day |
32 mgd |
Water Peak Load Maximum Gallons Per Day |
19 million gpd |
Sewer Type |
Activated Sludge Process |
Sewer Maximum Gallons Per Day |
4 million gpd |
Solid Waste Disposal |
Sweetwater County Solid Waste District |
Real Estate
Single Family Residential - Average Appraised Value |
- |
New Residential Construction Permits in 2000 |
- |
New Residential Construction Permits in 2001 |
- |
New Residential Construction Permits in 2002 |
- |
New Residential Construction Permits in 2003 |
- |
New Residential Construction Permits in 2004 |
- |
New Commercial Construction Permits in 2000 |
- |
New Commercial Construction Permits in 2001 |
- |
New Commercial Construction Permits in 2002 |
- |
New Commercial Construction Permits in 2003 |
- |
New Commercial Construction Permits in 2004 |
- |
Occupancy Rate for Multi-Family Housing Units |
- |
Avg Rental Rate for 2-Bdrm 2-Bath Apartment |
- |
Major Employers
Incentives:
Hotels and Motels
Total Number of Rooms Available in Community |
1,562 |
Facilities in Community with Meeting Space |
7 |
Climatic Information
Average Number of Days of Sunshine |
300 |
Average High / Low Temperature for July |
86.4/51.8 |
Average High / Low Temperature for January |
31.7/10.6 |
Other Links
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