Local Cost Share Program

Last Modified on August 26, 2008

Cost Share Program Begins 4^th Year

Three full years have passed since the beginning of the LRCD regular cost share program and it’s time to step back and see what the community has accomplished with the help of LRCD cost share dollars.  The purpose of the program remains to help citizens implement projects that conserve natural resources, beautify the community, or provide education on natural resource issues.  Just over one hundred projects have been completed and almost $250,000 spent, mostly in the local economy, because of the $74,000 in cost share grants awarded by your local conservation district.

                

Participants in the program have included 4 non-profit organizations, 5 churches, 13 local businesses, 4 ranches, 12 suburban landowners (residential, on the edge of city limits) 37 small acreages (1 or 2 to 100 acres, with rangeland), 32 town residents, and a UW outreach program. Types of projects are more difficult to categorize, because they often offer more than one benefit – a xeriscape project might save water as well as beautify a neighborhood, for example.

 

In 2006-2007 our Cost Share Programs were a great success.  The Regular Cost Share Program met costs, assisted with planning and the implementation of 17 different projects, from planting Living Snow Fences to grass removal for xeriscaping and community beautification, as well as funding environmental education. This fiscal year we paid out more than $16,000 towards these projects.

Another goal of the program is to reach more citizens who are not involved in traditional agriculture, since

A great example of a xeriscape in town that was done with a cost share.  This project reduces the need for water, and looks great!

The West Side       Pedestrian Bridge.  The project was    coordinated with the Laramie Beautification Committee, and cost shared by the Laramie Rivers  Conservation       District.  A great     improvement for West Side residents.

all tax-paying county residents help fund the conservation district.  LRCD receives about $300,000 annually from county taxpayers through a mill levy

and has a $186,000 operations budget, which funds community programs (this does not include full-time employee salaries or rent).  The annual cost share budget for grants to the public is $50,000.   For more information, call Tony Hoch at 721-0072.

 

The program is available to all residents, businesses and non-profits in Albany County.  The program objectives are to provide incentives for residents to conserve soil and water, and to beautify the landscape along public corridors in Albany County.

Up to $1000 is available for a given project on a 50-50 cash match basis.  In-kind labor is not allowed as a match. 

 

Projects may fall into any of three categories:

· Conservation Horticulture

· County Beautification Projects

· Natural Resources Education Outreach

 

Right click Here for the criteria and an application form!

(Choose “Save Target As” and save the Word file to your computer)

PLEASE NOTE THAT COST SHARE FUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX!