| The name "Medicine Bow" has been known to | | | | economy for decades. Where else can you |
| only a few traditional western fans. It is the | | | | purchase a 3 bedroom home in decent shape for |
| fictional site of a book that is renowned as the | | | | under $100 k? WELL under $100 k. That may |
| "first Western" novel - The Virginian, by Owen | | | | change within the next two years though. Even |
| Wister. It has been the setting of three movies | | | | the housing of the work crews will present a |
| based on that novel, but has never been the | | | | challenge in a town that usually has only 4-6 |
| SITE of the actual filming. | | | | houses for sale at a time, and where finding a |
| Recently, the name of Medicine Bow has been | | | | rental is as much a matter of luck as it is of |
| bandied about within the government and | | | | timing. |
| alternative energy circles. If you Google "Medicine | | | | Growth within Carbon County in general is already |
| Bow Coal to Diesel", you'll find a treasure trove of | | | | strong. Housing in the surrounding towns is |
| both factual and speculative information. | | | | becoming increasingly difficult to get. The spillover |
| DKRW, a relatively new company, is in the | | | | is already affecting the 'Bow. If a person had |
| development process for a coal to liquids facility | | | | planned to purchase land low and sell high, the |
| which will be located just 10 miles from Medicine | | | | opportunity is already all but gone. The feeding |
| Bow. The facility will support a workforce of | | | | frenzy is already on, and houses that you could |
| approximately 300 workers when it is fully | | | | not give away last year are being priced at twice |
| functioning (numbers vary according to sources, | | | | their current value. In a year, they'll get it. |
| this is the most often repeated number). Work | | | | For now, the small and isolated feeling is |
| crews are currently reported as being scheduled | | | | preserved. And even with growth that doubles or |
| to begin construction in the spring of 2008. | | | | triples the size of the town, we'll still be considered |
| The facility will be the first of its kind, and | | | | unbearably small to most people. When you are |
| represents freedom from foreign oil, as well as | | | | starting with an optimistic estimation of 300 |
| significant advances on the environmental front. It | | | | people, the anticipated growth still won't move us |
| is supported not only by regional government, it | | | | beyond "small" or "rural". Most people in town |
| has widespread support on the national level. | | | | really just want to regain a small grocery store, |
| Several other facilities are planned to be built, | | | | and it would take doubling or tripling the town size |
| based on the success or failure of this one. Coal | | | | to make it feasible. It may no longer be an |
| states are watching this one. | | | | unrealistic goal. |
| Land prices in Medicine Bow are already rising. The | | | | Some of the atmosphere that brings people here |
| last round of property taxes showed a fairly high | | | | will undoubtedly be lost. But it would be lost due |
| increase in tax values (nearly double for many | | | | to stagnation and neglect if the growth does not |
| homes). Of course, since taxes have been very | | | | occur, and loss due to growth is infinitely |
| low here, the increases were not huge by | | | | preferable to loss due to attrition. Things will |
| standards elsewhere, but they still ruffled a few | | | | change. But we hope to find progress within the |
| feathers. | | | | change. |
| Medicine Bow has had a depressed housing | | | | |