Council asked to allow grant application to host 2026 Wyoming Historic Preservation Conference in Casper

City historic-preservation staff told Casper City Council they intend to apply for a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant from the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office to host the 2026 Wyoming Historic Preservation Conference in Casper, and they asked council for permission to submit the application.

The state program sets aside funds for CLG activities; staff said the requested grant is for just under $24,000 and requires a 40% local match that may be met with cash or quantified in‑kind contributions. Staff said they have worked with the Historic Preservation Commission and state coordinators to estimate the in‑kind match and to assemble a proposal that would fund conference programming, speakers and logistics.

Why it matters: Staff said hosting the conference could attract preservation professionals and volunteers from across Wyoming, strengthen local preservation networks and support heritage‑tourism promotion. Organizers estimated attendance of roughly 75 to 125 people if Casper hosts the conference, compared with about 50 attendees reported at last year’s event in Laramie.

Staff said the proposed conference window is in October 2026 (no exact three‑day window specified yet) and included an illustrative line‑item for 40 hotel rooms for two nights at a combined estimate of $8,800 (40 rooms × $110 per night) for instructors and conference helpers; staff acknowledged council members may pay their own lodging if they attend. Staff said they will confirm and finalize dates to avoid conflicts with other events.

City staff noted the grant application process and the need to demonstrate the 40% match. Council members asked clarifying questions about timing, estimated attendance and room costs; staff said they would follow up with more details as needed. By the end of the discussion staff asked whether council was comfortable moving forward with the application and members indicated assent; staff did not record a formal roll‑call vote on the application during the work session.