About

As the state economic development agency, the Wyoming Business Council leads economic growth in order to build resilient communities and create opportunities for people to thrive.

Who We Are

With a wide breadth of experience in recruitment, development, and investment services, the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) works hard to create an economic framework so that Wyoming businesses and communities can thrive.

Created in 1998, the WBC is a team of passionate professionals with a Board of Directors consisting of 13 business leaders from across the state. Governor Mark Gordon serves as co-chair of the board. With experience ranging from Fortune 500 companies, community banks, local and state governments, non-profit entities, private businesses, and economic development organizations, our team brings a wealth of expertise and deep local knowledge to Wyoming’s economic and community development efforts. 

Headquartered in Cheyenne with offices in Casper, Cody, Evanston, Laramie, Powell, Riverton, Sheridan, Torrington, and Wright.

Leading Economic Growth
Building Resilient Communities
Creating Opportunities to Thrive

Visionary architects

We are relentlessly focused on building a prosperous and sustainable economic landscape where every community and individual can thrive for generations to come. We are driven by a mission to reverse Wyoming’s economic decline and actively create boundless opportunities for YOU to stay or return to the Cowboy State.

We are the visionary architects of opportunity, empowering local leaders and businesses through strategic investment, proactive problem solving, and a collaborative Team of Thousands philosophy. We honor our rich heritage while boldly embracing innovation needed to ensure Wyoming’s long-term prosperity.

The Wyoming Business Council’s approach to economic development focuses on identifying problems and breaking down barriers obstructing a more resilient economy. Collaboratively, we test, adapt, and repeat the process to develop locally crafted solutions.

Building Wyoming's Future Together

We don’t view economic development as a series of isolated projects or a static plan; rather, we see it as a foundational, continuous process for architecting a stronger future for Wyoming. This is a fundamental shift in HOW we lead growth across the state. It is inherently action-oriented and driven by data, allowing us to identify and proactively dismantle barriers to prosperity.

Confronting Myths with Bold Hope

We are focused on identifying the deep-rooted policies and systematic limiting factors that are truly constraining our state and local economies. This is not about seeking short-term wins; it’s about pursuing sustainable opportunities that deliver long-term, systemic change and build true resilience. We are committed to myth-busting the idea that decline is inevitable, approaching our state’s challenges with palpable optimism and the courage for bold action. The truth is, the current structure of Wyoming’s economic activities cannot sustain a high quality of life for all parts of the state in the long run. We are confronting this complex problem head-on.

Economic Growth Flywheel

Locally Driven, Collaboratively Built

Our methodology, visualized through the Economic Growth Flywheel, is a grassroots process designed to empower you. It is a shared framework for community and state partners to identify challenges and test locally-crafted solutions. It targets specific, unique issues because strengthening Wyoming means starting from the ground up.

While the WBC is taking the lead on launching these efforts, this is not a WBC program; it’s about collaboration and building a “Team of Thousands.” We are capacity-builders, committed to working with you to unlock your community’s greatest potential.

Complex vs. Complicated Problems

Complicated Problems

These problems may be difficult issues or challenges but there is typically a consistent process and we can generally define the expected outcome or solution.

  • For example, building a new airport isn’t an easy process; it is complicated, long, and fraught with unexpected twists and turns. However, we can map out and manage the process and in the end, we have an airport.

Complex Problems

These problems may have many possible solutions or paths forward. Much is unknown (or possibly unknowable) and variable and there may be no “right” answer or “right” process. In fact, we don’t ever really SOLVE complex problems, we can just manage them.

  • Examples: Ending world hunger; Planning an investment portfolio; Exploring the ocean floor; Diversifying an economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Pathways to Prosperity? What problem are we trying to solve?

WBC in the News

The State Loan and Investment Board meeting talks about the future of Wyoming investments