from the new west news blog

New Study Examines the Impacts of Growth in the Teton Region

By Matthew Frank, 5-28-08

	Click the image to download the report (PDF)

The Sonoran Institute released a study this week titled Growth Impacts in the Teton Region of Wyoming and Idaho and it “tells the story of how rapid growth in one Western place ripples out to impact communities for miles around.”

“The spillover of Jackson workers into neighboring communities”—nearly one-third of Teton County, Idaho’s labor force works in Wyoming—“is creating both opportunities and potential crises,” according to the study. “The growing population has fueled the construction industry and spurred commercial development in these ‘spillover’ communities. But it is also straining critical services such as water, sewer and trash-disposal systems in communities without a long-term way to pay for their expansion.”

Sonoran Institute Director Luther Propst and Jim Whalen of the Partnership for Wyoming’s Future write:

Similar situations are happening—and will continue to happen—in Wyoming and across the West. Energy resource development and high-amenity property acquisition by out-of-state investors have brought financial advantages to Wyoming and this region, but not without challenges. Information such as this study can help communities recognize that collaboration among jurisdictions is key to maintaining their prosperity and quality of life as they confront these challenges.

“The crucial thing is that serious and substantial discussions begin now,” the study concludes, “while enough time and options exist to enable effective, community-guided action.”

Click here to download the full study (PDF).

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