Latest about Gillette jobs (Lander: for sale, rentals, how much)

[GEORGIAINMT]

There was a huge article in Sunday's paper here in Gillette re: unemployment. The unemp. rate here is the highest it has been in about 20 years! Last year at this time there were tons of jobs with no one to hire. Now the news is that there are a few less jobs available, but 1000 more people! So, unfortunately Gillette isn't the job haven that it was. The recession has finally come, but not nearly like it has hit in most other places. Jobs are here but you just have to work harder to get them and be at the top of your game as there is a lot more competition for those jobs than there once was. The school population is still booming here. We opened one new elem. this year with another to be ready by next year.....plans still in the works for perhaps a 3rd elem. and either/or/both a new jr. high & high school in the not so far future. One other thing is that rent is still high here, but there are more rentals available than there were a year ago. I think a lot of the people who were renting must have purchased a home and/or more rentals have been built. As for purchasing, homes are staying on the market longer now and prices have come down a bit. Now there are homes for sale under $200K, which there weren't many at all a year ago. Hope this info helps those who are wondering about how things are going here in Gillette!

[MRVphotog]

Well, it's been a good 35 year run. I lived in Razor City for 3 years back in the mid-70's when things were just starting to get going.

[WyoNewk]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

Well, it's been a good 35 year run. I lived in Razor City for 3 years back in the mid-70's when things were just starting to get going.

Yeah? What did you do in Gillette at that time? I've been here since '71.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by WyoNewk

Yeah? What did you do in Gillette at that time? I've been here since '71.

I lived there about then. I was on the crew that brought I-90 through town. I remember the town well at that time. If you had a pulse, you could get a job.

[MRVphotog]

I came to Gillette in the fall of 1976 from UW with a program called the Gillette Human Services Project. We worked 1/2 time with a city agency, I was a social worker at the GPD, and as a team to provide social services to a quickly growing population. We started programs like the CC United Way, Parents Without Partners, list is long. We were supervised by the city and UW. I think the head city guy back then was Joe Racine. It was an interesting experience. We lived in a big old house at the top of Kendrick, nice neighborhood.

[WyoNewk]

I'll bet we've met. I'm sending you a DM....

[MRVphotog]

Originally Posted by WyoNewk

I'll bet we've met. I'm sending you a DM....

That's really cool! I am sure we have as we have alot of mutual friends.

We went to Gillette cause it was a boomtown in need. It wasn't the prettiest place, alot of wind and trailer parks everywhere.

I learned that it's not the way a town/city looks that's important but the community that lives there. I met alot of awesome peoplein Gillette and enjoyed being part of the community. Now, when I drive thru a town that might not look all that great I know that there are most likely some awesome people who live there and wouldn't live anywhere else.

[WyoNewk]

You're spot-on. I originally wanted to move (from Alaska) to Lander, but the job was offered in Gillette. I flew down from Anchorage, looked around the town, and turned down the job. Six months later I got a little better offer. We decided we could "stand it" for five years. But like so many others, by the time we were in Gillette for five years we couldn't think of any place we'd rather live.

[GEORGIAINMT]

For those who haven't been here for awhile or been here at all, keep in mind that the "visual" of Gillette has changed a lot since the early boom days. There are still some trailer parks, but there are many, many very nice subdivisions and neighborhoods with beautiful homes, yards, etc. now. The city has worked very hard to beautify the town with lots of flowers, grass, wonderful parks, etc. There are also a lot (I don't know how many, but lots!) of sculptures about town that really add an eclectic beauty to the roadsides. Gillette is the ugly duckling who has turned into a prince type of story!

[Kristynwy]

Thanks for an update Georgia.
I have been hearing the same thing about the work and economy over there.
I knew it was a matter of time before things slowed down, since Methane considerably slowed down.
My husband has heard that coal is slowing down a little as well. Still going pretty good but slower than last year.

I really hope things get better this next year, but I am bracing for a pretty rocky year economy wise next year. Definitely not something that will fix itself overnight.

I have seen a lot more folks grow gardens over here this past year and canning supplies in some stores are flying off the shelves. Although Ace hardware had a lot still. But at Walmart they are having a hard time keeping their canning stuff stocked. They have cut back on how much they put out anyways I think.

Hang in there and thanks again for an update