Wyoming Counties Advance Workforce Housing for Data Center, Nuclear Plant Projects
Two significant workforce housing projects are progressing in southwest Wyoming, one of which supports a planned hyperscale data center. In Uinta County, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Target Hospitality to build a workforce camp near Evanston for data center construction workers, with the proposal now heading to the County Commission for final approval. Separately, the Kemmerer City Council approved a zoning change for a potential workforce housing site for a nuclear plant in Lincoln County.
In southwest Wyoming, two major workforce housing projects are advancing to support distinct energy developments. Near Evanston, Uinta County officials are considering a proposal from Target Hospitality for a substantial temporary housing community to accommodate up to 3,400 workers. This facility is intended to serve the construction of a hyperscale data center. The Uinta County Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved a conditional use permit for the 150-acre site, which now awaits final consideration by the Uinta County Commission. Target Hospitality CEO Troy Schrenk noted the site's strategic location near Interstate 80 and the data center construction.
Concurrently, in Kemmerer, Lincoln County, city leaders approved a zoning change for a 60-acre property to light industrial, making it eligible for a temporary workforce hub for workers building TerraPower's advanced nuclear power plant. This decision by the Kemmerer City Council allows Bechtel, the engineering and construction company, to consider the Fox King property among other sites for housing up to 1,600 workers for the Natrium reactor project. Residents of an adjacent subdivision have voiced concerns about this "man camp" proposal.
Both developments highlight the challenges rural Wyoming communities face in housing large workforces for billion-dollar industrial projects. Purpose-built housing aims to alleviate pressure on local resources, though it often sparks debate over infrastructure, traffic, and public safety. Both projects remain in progress, with further approvals needed.