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Council backs city application for $10M grant and $5M loan to support Safran Passenger Innovations expansion
Summary
The council approved a $10 million grant application and a $5 million loan application to the Wyoming Business Council to support Safran Passenger Innovations LLC's planned expansion in Laramie; the city will act as applicant and provide a $100,000 local commitment.
The Laramie City Council on April 1 approved two related measures authorizing the city to apply for $10 million in grant funding and $5 million in loan funding through the Wyoming Business Council Business Ready Community program to support site development and a new building for Safran Passenger Innovations LLC.
Councilor Newman introduced Resolution 2025-27 (grant application) and Resolution 2025-28 (loan application). The council voted 9–0 on each resolution.
Brad Enzi, a local facilitator for the project, described the proposal as "the culmination of really two years' work with Safran Passenger Innovations," saying the company is a division of a global aerospace firm and has invested in local operations. "Safran will bring 250 jobs by [build-out date]," Enzi said, noting the company already employs dozens locally and has invested in testing equipment at its Laramie facility.
Kaylee Holyfield, Southeast regional director for the Wyoming Business Council, described the Business Ready Community program as a state economic development tool that can use grants and loans to fund municipality-owned assets that a private company will occupy. "We are the state's economic development agency," Holyfield said. She explained that grant and loan proceeds are typically directed to a municipality to build a community-owned asset and that the agreements often include lease, recapture and other terms to transition responsibility from municipality to private beneficiary over time.
Councilors pressed staff for financial details and risk exposure. Assistant City Manager Feizer described the proposed financing package: a $10 million grant and $5 million loan, with a $100,000 city commitment from the economic development fund and a $5 million tenant-finish contribution from Safran. Feizer said the loan would be secured by lease revenues and notes from the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance (LCBA), which functions as a project guarantor. "The $5,000,000 from Safran is their tenant finishes for the building," Feizer said.
Councilors voiced support for the project’s potential to create higher-paying jobs. After no public opposition, the council voted to approve both resolutions by unanimous roll-call votes.
