CASPER, Wyo. (April 28, 2026) – The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) met yesterday with the Joint Minerals, Business, and Economic Development Committee to discuss the agency’s structure, statutory mission, and operational future. The session was marked by direct, civil dialogue and a strong desire to work together to tackle the toughest challenges facing Wyoming.
The 2026 Wyoming Legislature identified the Business Council as a top interim topic, with both the Joint Minerals and the Joint Appropriations committees prioritizing comprehensive reviews of the agency and economic development in the state.
“We heard the message from the last legislative session loud and clear,” said Derek Smith, WBC Board Co-Chair. “The WBC has not been sitting still. We have launched a comprehensive internal review of our operations and board structure to identify areas for improvement. We are here to listen and work as a collaborative partner to everyone investing in Wyoming’s future. This is not work we can or should do in a vacuum; it is something we must do together.”
Addressing the “Brain Drain”
WBC CEO Josh Dorrell grounded the conversation in Wyoming’s staggering youth outmigration rate, which is currently twice the national average. Both the committee and the WBC signaled alignment on the need to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.
“Outmigration isn’t just a statistic; it has names and faces in our own homes,” Dorrell said. “Meaningful jobs are the primary driver in a young person’s decision to stay in Wyoming. Our work is focused on the policies and programs for communities and businesses to grow and compete.”
The “How”: Bridging the Gap
Much of the conversation focused on how the state can best address the youth exodus challenge, outlining two priorities to do so: closing the infrastructure and investment gaps that stand between Wyoming communities and long-term economic growth. The WBC highlighted two specific examples of how state tools act as a bridge to unlock private investment and deliver measurable return on investment:
- Infrastructure for Growth: In Evansville, Business Ready Community (BRC) partnered with the community to fund public water and sewer lines, unlocking a business park that allowed Mesa Solutions to expand and retain hundreds of high-wage jobs.
- The Innovation Pipeline: Wyoming-born DISA Technologies utilized a continuum of support – from Kickstart grants to trade show support to Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC) funding – to scale from a lab idea to a major employer.
Shared Stewardship and the Path Forward
Committee members challenged the council to provide more granular, real-world data and examples for every program – and the WBC welcomed it, inviting the committee to serve as partners in reviewing each tool against legislative intent and community need. Both sides made clear that this ongoing dialogue is a vital step toward charting Wyoming’s economic course for the next 20 years, with a shared goal of making state investments as successful and impactful as possible for all citizens.
Senator Tara Nethercott emphasized the importance of shared accountability: “One of the opportunities this summer is to provide a more specific explanation of what the Business Council does. It would be beneficial to go through that 96-page packet (provided by the Legislative Services Office) line-by-line, or open up the statute books to see what we have directed the Business Council to do – so our frustrations, whether appropriately based or not, may come directed back to us and what we’ve written in the statutes.”
As a next step, the WBC will develop a comprehensive program review for the June 4-5 Joint Minerals Committee meeting – including local impact stories, statutory provisions, and recommended programmatic changes – in partnership with committee members, the Governor’s Office, and key stakeholders. The goal: ensure Wyoming’s economic “rulebook” reflects the strength of the people it serves.
“The difficult questions and opposing viewpoints we heard today are exactly the ones we should be working on together,” Dorrell noted. “I applaud the committee for digging into the challenges at the community level – that’s where the real work happens, and that’s where we can make a difference.”
Next Up: Joint Appropriations
The Business Council continues this transparent dialogue with the Joint Appropriations Committee on April 30, 2026.
- Topic: Local infrastructure needs and countywide consensus funding
- When: Thursday, April 30 | Public Comment: 4:30 p.m.
- Watch: Wyoming Legislature YouTube Channel
- Agenda: wyoleg.gov
Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee Meeting Recording, April 27, 2025 – AM
About the Wyoming Business Council
The Wyoming Business Council is the state’s economic development agency, serving as a connector and bridge between local ingenuity and global opportunity. Through a Team of Thousands approach, the WBC works to dismantle binding constraints and build a resilient foundation where all communities, businesses, and generations can thrive.
