Laramie County Planning Commission backs permit for workforce housing campus to house hundreds
The Laramie County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a Class C Conditional Use Permit for a temporary workforce housing campus in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The project aims to house thousands of workers constructing local data centers and solar projects, addressing a critical housing shortage. Despite resident and state representative opposition regarding traffic and crime concerns, the commission advanced the permit to the Laramie County Board of Commissioners for final consideration.
The Laramie County Planning Commission in Cheyenne, Wyoming, unanimously voted to recommend approval of a Class C Conditional Use Permit for the Iron Guard Workforce Housing project. This temporary campus is designed to house approximately 5,600 to 5,750 contract workers involved in constructing major local industrial projects, including the Project Jade data center and the Cowboy Solar project. The facility, located west of South Greeley Highway, is planned in three phases, starting with 30 modular housing units and 150 RV spaces, eventually expanding to 800 modular units.
Laramie County Planner Justin Arnold emphasized the necessity of consolidating the workforce to prevent them from overwhelming the existing local housing market and driving up rental prices. He also suggested that a consolidated campus would allow for better law enforcement oversight. However, residents living near the proposed site, including State Rep. Clarence Styvar, expressed strong opposition, citing concerns about increased traffic congestion, strained emergency evacuation routes, and potential rises in crime. Real estate agent Wendy Volk also raised questions about the long-term impact on infrastructure.
Conversely, union leaders and workers supported the project, with Wyoming State AFL-CIO Executive Director Marcie Kindred arguing that rejecting it would harm the local economy and worsen housing issues. Charles Hendricks, a data center industry worker, and Truett Thompson, president of a local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers chapter, defended the incoming workers as skilled professionals and noted the severe housing cost increases in areas without such accommodations. Chad Ross, vice president of Iron Guard Housing, assured the community that modern workforce housing is highly regulated and designed for worker comfort and containment. The measure will now proceed to the Laramie County Board of Commissioners for a final decision on June 2.