Story ID: 
Wyoming Airport Inaugurates New Solar-powered FBO
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: The $5.8 million facility is a major upgrade over the previous nine-decade-old location.
Word Count: 192
Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport held the grand opening this week for municipal-owned and operated Sweetwater Aviation’s brand new home. The FBO facility replaces the previous 90-year-old building and features a 5,000-sq-ft terminal with a passenger lobby, pilot lounge, quiet rooms, exercise room, a professional golf simulator, conference rooms, and office space. The adjoining 25,000-sq-ft hangar can accommodate the latest class of large-cabin business jets.

Built at a cost of $5.8 million, the Avfuel-branded facility receives 70 percent of its power from a 30-kilowatt solar array, the first installed at an airport in the state. The airport is owned by the city of Rock Springs and the FBO project received funding from the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Department of Transportation, and the FAA.

“Sweetwater County is an attractive location for many different industries and businesses; we have a lot to offer,” explained airport director Devon Brubaker at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. “The availability and quality of air transportation service is an important factor in firms' decisions on where they will locate operations. The new facility is a key component of the community and regional economic development toolkit.”