Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Craig Thomas, Mike Enzi and Rep. Barbara Cubin, all R-Wyo., said Pinedale and several Lincoln County communities are set to receive Forest Service grants to help with economic development initiatives.

The Rural Community Assistance (RCA) grant program, administered by the Forest Service, provides assistance to communities affected economically due to the loss of jobs or income derived from forestry, forest-related industry or dependence on National Forest or Grasslands resources.

Eligible applicants include, among others, rural communities with a total population of less than 10,000. Applicants must also be located within 100 miles of a National Forest or Grassland and derive at least 15 percent of its total primary and secondary labor and proprietor income from natural resources.

Grant money will be awarded as follows:

Thayne will receive $7,812 to help purchase training equipment to teach First Aid and CPR courses in the Thayne area in order to supplement the efforts of area emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

Alpine, Pinedale and Cokeville will receive $5,000, $3,000 and $2,748 respectively, to complete community action plans facilitated by the Wyoming Rural Development Council. Items identified within the community plans are eligible to compete for additional RCA grants of up to $15,000 each.

Lincoln County will receive $13,795 to install vertical business banners in the Diamondville and Kemmerer business corridor. Banners will advertise local recreation opportunities, welcome visitors and residents and beautify the business corridor.