|
|
|
|
| February 05, 2010 |
 |
|
local newsEmail this article to a friend
WMC starts ER expansion project
CASPER -- Faced with 36 717 emergency room patients in one year, the Wyoming Medical Center is planning a major expansion of the ER facilities and will kick off the project with a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 11:00 am in the Courtyard just off the ER Waiting Room.
The redesign will help streamline services and treatments within the Emergency Department, reducing wait time in many cases. As a Regional Trauma Center and Regional Referral Center, our doctors, nurses, paramedics and staff see a wide variety of injuries, illnesses, and other emergent conditions. To expedite treatment and to provide a higher level of service to our patients, the new layout will have two distinct areas. One side will be able to treat less serious health concerns (fast track) and the other will be reserved for more emergent cases.
The renovation will encompass most of the northern first floor of the hospital. The Emergency Department will grow from its current 17 beds into 40 beds once the expansion and renovation are complete. To minimize affects to patients, the project will be completed in phases.
|
|
Funds still available for city, county energy efficiency
CHEYENNE - Federal funds are still available through the Wyoming State Energy Office (SEO) for energy efficiency retrofits on local buildings. Wyoming communities are encouraged to apply.
The SEO has over $2.8 million remaining in federal funds for Wyoming municipalities and counties that did not receive a direct award from the U.S. Department of Energy-administered Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program last year.
In 2009, the DOE made EECBG funding directly available to 10 Wyoming towns and 10 counties, and awarded over $9.5 million to the Energy Office, $5.7 million of which was to be used for Wyoming communities that did not receive a direct award. An initial round of grant awards in January totaled just over $2.9 million, leaving nearly $2.8 million in available funds. All funding is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
Grant applications for up to $250,000 are now being accepted by the State Energy Office. Applications will be taken on a first-come first-served basis for eligible municipalities and counties until funds are allocated, and assuming all application/program requirements are met. No matching funds from communities are required. Communities that have already applied may submit an additional application for a combined grant total not to exceed $250,000.
"There is still money available through this program and we really encourage communities to apply for a grant," said Shannon Stanfill, SEO program manager. "This program will help communities save energy, which is a goal of the program, but the real benefit for our municipalities and counties comes in lower utility costs. This is good news when you are faced with a tight operating budget."
Grant funding may be used to conduct energy efficient street lighting upgrades or building retrofits including: attic/ceiling insulation improvements; the sealing of cracks and/or insulation of foundations; upgrading lighting; insulation and sealing of HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) ductwork; replacement of boilers/furnaces; and the installation of on-demand water heaters and measures to improve the efficiency of HVAC systems including replacement.
Application packets may be downloaded from the "Retrofit" section of the Web site: www.wyomingbusiness.org/economic_stimulus.aspx. Please use the "Part Two" application form. An informational Webinar on "How to Apply" may also be downloaded from the Web site.
Municipalities, counties and other entities not eligible for this round include: City of Casper, City of Cheyenne, City of Evanston, City of Gillette, City of Green River, Town of Jackson, City of Laramie, City of Riverton, City of Rock Springs, City of Sheridan, Campbell County, Carbon County, Converse County, Fremont County, Goshen County, Laramie County, Lincoln County, Natrona County, Park County, Sheridan County, non-profit organizations and joint powers boards.
For questions about the funding and application process please contact Stanfill at 307.777.2841 or Shannon.stanfill@wybusiness.org.
|
|
State employment fund drawn down
CHEYENNE -- The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Employment
reported today that from second quarter 2008 to second quarter 2009, total unemployment insurance (UI) covered payroll decreased by $145.4 million (-5.0 percent).
On an over-the-year basis, employment fell by 10,132 jobs, or 3.5 percent and the average weekly wage decreased by $12, or 1.5 percent. Job losses were reported in more than four-fifths of Wyoming counties and in 16 industry sectors. Total payroll is an important economic indicator because it is often associated with consumer spending, retail sales, and sales tax revenue.
Department data shows that employment increased in four counties and decreased in 19. Three of the four counties with employment gains were located in the Southeast region of the state.
Campbell County added 402 jobs, or 1.4percent, but its total payroll decreased by $0.7 million, or 0.2 percent. Job gains were seen in construction, local government, accommodation & food services, and wholesale trade.
Employment decreased in mining (including oil & gas), manufacturing, retail trade, professional & technical services, and administrative & waste services.
Visit the website at http://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/09Q2_QCEW/toc.htm for a complete set of tables. |
|
|
national news
Fewer homeowners see home values falling
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fewer U.S. homeowners expect the value of their homes to decline in the year ahead, but they also believe gains are unlikely, according to a Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan survey published on Friday.
Jobless rate falls to 9.7 percent, 20,000 jobs cut
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Payrolls unexpectedly fell in January, but the unemployment rate surprisingly dropped to a five-month low, according to a government report on Friday that hinted at labor market improvement.
Stock market falls; energy shares sink
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks dropped and briefly hit session lows in late morning trading on Friday, with shares of energy companies falling as oil dropped more than $3 a barrel. An S&P index of energy stocks <.GSPE> lost 1.8 percent.
|
|
|
|
©2010 Wyoming Business Report. All rights reserved.
This service is provided on WBR's standard Terms & Conditions.
Read our Privacy Policy.
|
|
 |
Stocks
|
 |
|
