Wyoming Business

A downturn in state revenue from mineral extraction in recent years has left the state spending more than it is taking in from taxes on energy production.

A disheartening presentation from Rocky Mountain Power on Monday at the Joint Corporations Committee meeting in Lander showed how fraught with complications coal-fired power may become right at home.

"We know we’re going to be causing problems if we build this there,"

"The end goal is to improve efficiencies for the state, reduce costs and expand air service," said Wyoming Department of Transportation Director Bill Panos.

Recently passed legislation calls for the Wyoming Business Council to work with the agriculture industry, and in consultation with the ENDOW Executive Council, on a strategy to build USDA-inspected beef processing plants of all sizes throughout the state and market Wyoming beef locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

The $11.369 million donation last week by Whitney Benefits to support local education plays into a larger, ongoing effort by public and private organizations across the state to have more educated people working in a variety of jobs.

The objective of this meeting is to prepare, present and discuss the most impactful and well-positioned economic sectors to drive diversification of Wyoming’s economy now and decades into the future.

The governor’s economic diversification committee ENDOW recommends the creation of a need-based state financial aid program.

How do you ease the growing congestion in Yellowstone National Park? Perhaps by encouraging the millions of annual tourists to visit Cody, Bighorn Canyon and other areas outside the park.

Last year, Gov. Matt Mead asked me to do a difficult thing — join the Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming initiative executive council. He charged the council with bringing bold, game-changing ideas to the table that would help diversify Wyoming’s economy for the long term.