PLATTE COUNTY — Newly appointed Road & Bridge department head Chris Bookout is going 9-0 and his crew is right there with him. In the past 30 days the Road & Bridge crew have accomplished a sizable list of projects; mainly in preparation for what we all know can be difficult winter conditions.

“We have gone out and posted Open Range signs, hauled sand from the pit to mix with salt, giving us enough for winter, although we still need a bit of salt,” Bookout said.

Meanwhile, snowplow rehearsal is taking place as the crew is working out kinks on the trucks and ordering necessary parts. “We are starting to inventory the equipment to establish a life cycle so we can better predict replacement,” Bookout added.

Pot-hole repair and culvert management is also being accomplished. “We are looking at the Sybille Creek culvert to see what the right fit is for that,” Bookout said. “We are still mowing, even though it’s late in the season, but we are still cleaning up along the roads.”

Among concerns regarding equipment and imminent harsh weather, the two new MACK plow trucks that had been ordered some time ago are nowhere to be found. “Allegedly, the MACK location in Casper sent a letter to us six months ago stating that they would ‘not be able to fulfill the order,’ but we have not received this letter or other communication,” Bookout said.

The department is currently seeking alternative companies to see what is available, however Bookout plans to visit the MACK location in Casper personally before committing to another product, as the county dump truck (which is under warranty) is undergoing air brake repairs.

According to Bookout, gravel will be applied in various places, the department is getting set for plowing and are changing out cattle guards. “Once the snow really comes, we will be ready,” he said.

County clerk Malcom Ervin praised Bookout for his work and reiterated the usefulness of implementing an equipment matrix. “The vehicle and equipment matrix will report actual, real-time use so predicting replacements will be based on real information. He is working on a fuel log as well so actual gallons consumed will also be tracked. To say, ‘Chris has hit the ground running,’ is an understatement,” said Ervin.

Intertie Grant

Platte County Economic Development director Tracy DeRyk reported that the hoped-for Wyoming Intertie grant was ultimately denied. “The Department of Energy cited in order to qualify for the direct- and indirect-impact grant, the transmission lines had to cross state lines,” she said. In the case of Wyoming Intertie, transmission lines are crossing county lines. 

Lodging Tax Board

Shawna Reichert, Chamber of Commerce Director and Platte County Lodging Tax Board treasurer reported that they have retained a new marketing company to handle their tourism campaigns across media platforms and other outlets.

“We have hired West Edge Collective and they are currently handling our winter campaign, and after some polling discovered that people like winter hiking, so we are focusing on that. Platte County is a great location for this activity as we have so many trails that don’t’ seem to collect or retain too much snow,” Reichert said.

“We did see a 9.5 percent tourism increase this summer which is the best summer we’ve had. We are starting to see more day-trippers since the economy has taken a bit of a turn. While we didn’t see as many overnight visitors, people are still visiting Platte County on a day-trip,” explained Reichert. That is not to say that there are not good hotel stays in the county, according to Reichert, as she said their campaigns are working in places like Rapid City and in Rocky Mountain promotions. “Forty-four point eight percent of our visitors come from Colorado,” Reichert said, “but we also see visitors from Texas, North Dakota, Montana, California, and Iowa. As marketing continues to work, we will see more numbers.”

Reichert explained that these numbers were collected from geo caching, and location check-ins that “ping” off of Google. These location services help track consumption as well. This technology can track expenditures on purchases at gas and convenience stores, food, retail purchases and attractions around the county. 

Reichert will attend the Rocky Mountain International Round-Up and describes it as a sort of speed-dating for the county. “There are 40 tables, and you get 10 minutes at each table. We ‘sell’ Platte County in that 10-minute time frame. We did see some tour groups that came through after the last time we did that,” she said. She will also travel to Cheyenne to “pick some brains” there to understand what the perception of Platte County is.

“Leadership Wyoming has been a great thing, and our summer campaign will be family-focused in 2024,” Reichert, a member of the Leadership Wyoming, continued. A Lunch-and-Learn event will take place on January 30 and the Ag Appreciation Banquet will take place on February 2.