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Local development group asks county to help find land for workforce housing in Basin
Summary
Big Horn Citizens for Economic Development representatives B. Hayes and Danae Bales asked the commission about land near the Cody Regional Clinic in Basin for workforce housing, said DEQ Brownfields grants can help clear sites, and requested county help in identifying potential parcels; the commissioners said the Fire Department owns the specific parcel mentioned and requested more information on proposed incentives.
Representatives of Big Horn Citizens for Economic Development asked the Big Horn County Commission on June 2 to help identify land in Basin that could be used for workforce housing. B. Hayes and Danae Bales said they have worked with Bright Block to identify development opportunities in Greybull and want to pursue a similar effort in Basin. They said DEQ Brownfields programs can be a funding source to clear contaminated or abandoned property and emphasized that the project is intended for workforce housing, not low-income housing.
Why it matters: County help locating and clearing land can be a critical first step in enabling housing for workers that local employers need. The group also flagged the affordability of land acquisition as a primary barrier and said workforce training partnerships are being pursued with Northwest College and other organizations.
Details: The group asked specifically about land just past the Cody Regional Clinic in Basin; commissioners said that parcel is owned by the Fire Department and would need the department's agreement for acquisition or transfer. Bales said the group is seeking information about what kinds of incentives the county could offer; Commissioners Neves and Jolley responded that the county does not maintain permit or development fees available to use as incentives, noting current fees cover county monitoring work such as septic inspections. Hayes said trades training is being pursued to support local workforce needs.
Action and next steps: The commission asked the group to provide more detail on the incentives they seek and on potential parcels. No formal county action was taken at the meeting.
