In a move to update the old Pine Bluffs High School, members of the Eastern Laramie County Joint Powers board recently announced the group will receive a $1.4 million grant from the Wyoming Business Council.

According to the grant documentation, funds from the grant will be used to update mechanical and electrical systems, improve network infrastructure, improvements to the structure and bring the building in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"This is such a wonderful thing for the town and for the building," said town clerk and joint powers board member, Cate Cundall.

With the $1.4 million, the joint powers board is responsible for $395,000 in in-kind matches to which the building itself serves.

"It is great to see this project arrive at the WBC with such broad and outstanding local support," said regional WBC director Tom Johnson on his recommendation the project be approved.

"This application fits perfectly within the scope of the Community Facilities grants and loan program," Johnson added.

The historic high school was added to the National Register of Historic Places and currently serves as the home of the eastern Laramie County extension office and classrooms for Laramie County Community College.

"The upgrades would allow LCCC and the Head Start program better space for educational activities and classrooms," the grant proposal stated. "And this project would continue to benefit existing youth and community activities like girl scouts, hunter safety course and community events."

Details surrounding improvement and upgrade start dates are still being worked through but members of the joint powers board hope to get underway soon.