Joan Barron: Cheyenne South Siders Oppose Man Camps

Columnist Joan Barron highlights the historical marginalization of Cheyenne's south side residents, citing past impositions by the Union Pacific Railroad and federal government, as well as a historical "red line" that limited housing for African Americans. This history informs the current "uprising" against a developer's plan for a large "man camp" meant to house 5,600 construction workers building data centers, including Meta's facility and the proposed Jade data center. Iron Guard is the applicant proposing to build 800 units in the High Plains Business Park, an unincorporated area of Laramie County near the Meta data center. Justin Arnold, Director of Laramie County Planning and Development, confirmed the camp's purpose is to serve these construction projects. Residents, including Elizabeth Marvin, Heather Madrid, and Maureen Clifton, have expressed strong opposition to the Laramie County Planning Commission, citing concerns about a surge in crime (property, drug, violent crimes, DUIs) and the overwhelming strain on the neighborhood's already limited resources, such as a single grocery store and urgent care center. They also feel their low-income community is being targeted. Iron Guard spokespeople argue that the south side offers suitable land for such large-scale, temporary housing and that without the camp, workers would still come, flooding existing housing and hotel markets. The article notes that growth in Cheyenne is restricted on other sides, leaving the south and east for data center expansion.