Three businesses have committed to locate at Encampment's new industrial park even before the infrastructure has been completed.

"The project has gone so well," said Town Clerk-Treasurer Susan Munson. "We're just now putting the bids out for the water and sewer improvements for the park, and to have three committed businesses already is pretty exciting."

Munson said Old West Log Cabins plans to relocated from Cody. Doggett Greenhouse will relocated its operations from nearby Riverside, and a local contractor plans to open a small mill on the property.

The 32-acre industrial park benefited from a $1.5 million state Community Readiness grant, and from land and labor contributions by the town.

A sawmill, which closed in 2005, is currently on the site, along with several buildings.

Infrastructure improvements will include a sewer lift station, sewer line extensions and a water line, according to the Wyoming Business Council.

Munson said other businesses also have expressed an interest in the industrial park. Delta Timber might operate the sawmill, and Geosynfuels might produce fuels from beetle-killed timber. Both companies are based in Colorado.

The industrial park project is consistent with goals identified in a 2005 Encampment development plan. A general objective is to encourage light industrial use as a means of diversifying the local economy.

Business Editor Tom Mast can be reached at tom.mast@trib.com, or call 307-266-0574. Or check out his "Two Bits Worth" blog at tribtown.trib.com/TomMast/blog.