GILLETTE -- When Miranda Miller graduated from Campbell County High School in 2000, she wanted to get as far away from Gillette as possible. So far away, she completed a master's degree in English literature at Ohio State University and then took a job teaching at a parochial school in Louisiana.

"After living in the South, life in Wyoming was much more appealing," Miller said.

So when offered a job in Gillette, Miller jumped at the chance to return home. Close to family and friends again, Miller was pleased by all the progress the community had made since she left.

"Gillette's a lot different than when I was here," Miller said. "It's interesting to witness those changes."

Now a professor at Gillette College, Miller said she enjoys living in Gillette and being part of the growth at the college.

"The way things are going now, it would be really hard to leave this job. I love teaching in the community college setting," Miller said.

Today there are more than 41,000 residents who call Campbell County home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's about 8,000 more than in 2000.

With recruitment campaigns in states around the country, including blue-collar areas like Michigan, to bring qualified workers to open positions in coal, methane and oilfield industries, people have practically poured into Gillette and the surrounding areas during the past few years. Some, like Miller, returned to the place they call home; others have moved to Gillette on a whim, while still others have settled in to map out lives for their families.

Some have come here to stay, while others have found the challenges of living in a Wyoming "frontier" town too tough to overcome.

A new adventure

In 2007, Jefferson and Sharon Fox were looking for a change. Living in a small southeast Missouri town, the Foxes wanted to explore a new environment and expose their children to new sights.

"We moved mostly to live out West and experience a different culture and climate," Sharon said.

While working for Home Depot, Jefferson looked into open positions within the company in the Western states. The only opening he found was in Gillette.

"So we kind of threw a dart at the map," Sharon said. "Gillette was a centralized location to see all of the sights."

In July 2007 they arrived in Gillette and began exploring their new surroundings. The Foxes took trips to Yellowstone National Park, northern Colorado and the Black Hills.

"We really love the Big Horn Mountains. We went there a lot," Sharon said. "We got to do some skiing and sledding and my husband got to go hunting for deer, elk, bear and antelope."

Not only did the Foxes enjoy the sights, but they also appreciated the amenities Gillette had to offer residents, including the many activities for kids and families. They participated in the AVA Center's Little Tikes art classes, Kindermusik, library story time and Girl Scouts.

"We liked the new things the city had added," Sharon said. "I liked the activities they had for children."

But the community wasn't without its disadvantages. Without a local mall or a variety of restaurants, the Foxes found themselves traveling to Rapid City, S.D.; Casper or Colorado for shopping. Sharon also said the weather was a huge adjustment.

"The weather was a challenge to us. We weren't used to the blowing snow," Sharon said.

"Meeting completely new people was kind of a challenge because we lived in a small town before where we knew everybody and everybody knew us," she added.

Ultimately, the lack of having family nearby pushed the Foxes to rethink their lives in Gillette.

"Being away from family was a challenge. With children I realized it was hard." Sharon said. "I think ultimately we left to move back closer to family."

In June 2008, the family packed its belongings and returned to Missouri. But it didn't move to the same Missouri town; instead it moved about an hour north to Jackson, where Sharon thought there were more opportunities for employment and in the school system for 13-year-old Andie and 4-year-old Zoe.

For a while that held true. But in March, Jefferson was laid off from his job at Macy's. The Foxes currently are struggling as Jefferson launches his singing/songwriting career and they hope the land they purchased in Gillette will sell soon.

"It was a good experience, I'm glad we did it. I feel like I learned a lot in the move. I needed to learn a little independence from family," Sharon said. "I'd love to come back and visit."

A place to call home

While the Foxes would like to return to Gillette only for a visit, Ryan and Heather Voigt are hoping to stay in Gillette despite the weakening economy that currently has Ryan laid off.

In 2006, Ryan was hired by Burlington Northern and moved his family to Gillette from Rapid City. His sister already resided in Gillette with her family, and the city seemed like the perfect fit.

"We love the opportunities for children as far as sports go," Heather said. "I like it that it's big, yet small enough to know people."

Despite moving when housing prices were high, Heather said her family is comfortable in its home and enjoys the close-knit community.

"I like the improvements they're making around town," Heather said. "They put a lot of money into the community."

However, Heather said the community isn't without its downsides. Like the Foxes, she wishes there were more shopping and a greater variety of restaurants.

"There's not enough shopping opportunities," Heather said. "At least once a month we go back to Rapid."

Even though Ryan was recently laid off from his job, the Voigts want to stay in Gillette. They hope he'll soon be rehired with the railroad. With 9-year-old Sean, 3-year-old Ryder and a baby due in April, the Voigts are concerned about making it through the next few months. A nurse at a local doctor's office, Heather said she is hopeful things will work out.

"We'll probably stick it out, it will probably get better," Heather said. "When it's good, it's good, when it's bad it's bad. That's Gillette for you."

Returning home

Though many may complain about a lack of shopping, Gillette residents often admit that Gillette College, the Campbell County Parks and Recreation Department, the emphasis on education and the number of activities available for children and families is hard to beat.

Miller said she is comfortable with the way her life is going and all that Gillette offers, although she said the community isn't without its downsides.

"You're really limited in where you can meet people," Miller said. "If you're not a drinker you don't have many choices."

But dating is not a big priority in Miller's life right now. She said she is considering beginning a doctorate program or exploring other avenues of interest.

"Right now I'm trying to decide if this is the right career choice for me, or working on a doctorate," Miller said.

But overall, Miller is pleased with Gillette and said she doesn't feel as negative about the community as she did when she graduated high school.

"Gillette is infinitely better than nine years ago," Miller said.