Pools and industrial parks are both vital to economic development

At first, a swimming pool and an industrial park might not seem like they have much in common. After all, one is designed for business and the other is designed for fun.

But both are key players in economic development. And this week, Gillette and Campbell County saw some progress on their respective pool and industrial park projects.

At their meeting this week, Campbell County Commissioners awarded a $2.15 million contract to begin construction work on the Pronghorn Industrial Park on a 247-acre piece of land east of Cam-plex.

For 10 years, that property has been empty, but local officials were working hard behind the scenes to turn that into something that would attract businesses to come to Campbell County.

It’s been a very long process, with multiple attempts at federal and state grants and all of the fun rules that come along with that.

Now, before too long, we’ll see dirt moving east of Cam-plex, with Boxelder Road being extended and utilities being laid out to the boundary of the industrial park.

The goal of this project is to create “shovel-ready sites” for businesses to move into.

Detractors of the project will say that the government should not be in the business of building an industrial park. And while the private sector would have gotten this project completed much more quickly, we haven’t seen anyone from the private industry try to build one.

This is a big swing by the county, and we’re rooting for its success.

A few miles to the west, right in the heart of town, the Gillette City Council got to tour the new City Pool, which has been under construction the past couple of years. It’s coming along quite nicely. The waterslides have been placed, the floors of the pool have been poured and the killer whale water feature still lives.

For the last three summers, Gillette has not had a public outdoor swimming pool. The city and the Campbell County Recreation Center have stepped up to provide free swim sessions in the absence of a city pool.

Quality of life is an underrated part of economic development. For many, a good job is not enough reason to move one’s family to a new community. That’s where amenities, like sports fields, parks and swimming pools come in. Yes, they are not necessary to a city’s operations, but they elevate the living experience of the city’s residents.

When the new City Pool opens, it will enhance the lives of many Gillette families for decades to come, and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.