CHEYENNE, Wyo.—The state’s construction manager says the nationwide construction slowdown is lowering the cost of some government projects in Wyoming.
Rich Cathcart said more contractors in Colorado have been willing to take jobs in Wyoming. That has spurred more bidding for projects and driven down costs.
“We have no scientific research. We’re only speculating that because work is fairly slow on the Front Range, a lot of those contractors are looking up here,” Cathcart said.
Bids for state construction projects that have come in under budget include $38 million for a new Military Department headquarters building, which was about $4 million lower than expected.
The headquarters building is part of a $140 million military package including a helicopter maintenance facility. The helicopter facility bids came in at about $80 million, also lower than had been estimated.
Cathcart said housing construction has been slow in the Cheyenne area, but not commercial construction. He said his agency asks out-of-state contractors to use Wyoming subcontractors and crews wherever possible.
Nancy Thomson, construction director for the state School Facilities Commission, said she also has been seeing more interest from Colorado contractors.
“I think that’s why we’re seeing so many of these contractors come to Wyoming and open an office to establish Wyoming status,” Thomson said.
She said bids for school projects haven’t been lower, however.
The construction projects are creating jobs. Wyoming leads the nation in construction employment growth, with a 10 percent increase from June 2007 to June 2008, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
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Information from: Star-Tribune,
