Albany County backs Wyo Silver bid to rebuild Marshall Road, commissioners press company on costs

The Albany County Board of Commissioners on July 21 approved a resolution supporting submission of a Wyoming Business Council Business Ready Community grant application for improvements to Marshall Road in partnership with Wyo Silver LLC.

Paul Grondell, identified as mine manager for Wyo Silver and the company’s primary industry contact, told commissioners the project would provide “significantly improved public safety along Marshall Road in addition to improved access to our reserves in the area, which drives local jobs and new tax base.” He described the current grant plan as full resurfacing of the road, widening shoulders and adding roughly four inches of gravel across about 15 miles to make the route safer for commercial traffic and local users.

County staff said the application has two funding scenarios: a higher request and a lower request. The grant application amounts discussed were approximately $2,429,550 at the high end and about $2,239,400 at the low end; county staff said the difference would change project specifications and matching needs. Grondell said Wyo Silver expects to provide most of the non-cash match and that the company’s business plan is intended to operate without ongoing government subsidies, although he said the company would be unable to pursue its planned processing without road upgrades.

Several commissioners pressed the company on private benefit and long-term county obligations. One commissioner raised concern that the county could be funding a roughly $4 million improvement that would primarily facilitate a private mining operation. Commissioners also asked whether the company’s processing plant would be located in Laramie or Cheyenne, which could affect the county’s calculus about local economic benefit; Grondell said the company is exploring both locations and had not finalized the site.

County staff and Wyo Silver representatives said traffic studies and a road-use agreement were planned to clarify maintenance responsibilities. Grondell said the company forecasts some tax revenue from operations (he cited a five-year forecast of about $1,000,000 in combined taxes), but commissioners requested firmer, written commitments and clarity on a proposed five-year deposit and maintenance arrangements.

After the discussion, Commissioner [name used in roll call as Commissioner Goulart responded] moved to approve Resolution 2026-018 authorizing submission of the Business Ready Community grant application and to direct the chair to sign the certification and resolution. The motion was seconded and carried.

What’s next: County staff said the application is due by August 1 and will go through two review boards at the Wyoming Business Council; the board also asked staff to follow up with the council contact about unresolved application math and to report back to commissioners on any required contractual commitments.