In the Cowboy State, we know economic development is not an abstract theory cooked up in a conference room.
It is built from the ground up by people who live in the community, make decisions locally, and understand what their town actually needs to succeed.
When infrastructure and community development are prioritized, economic development becomes real and workable, not just an idea on paper.
With a clear pro-business direction from state leadership, Wyoming communities can compete on their own strengths and terms.
It’s time to stop picking winners and losers.
It’s time to pick Wyoming.
And that starts with picking Wyoming communities.
As the Legislature and Executive Branch evaluate the appropriate structure and direction of the state’s economic development strategy, it’s essential to stay grounded in how economic development actually works at the local level.
For Wyoming’s municipalities and economic development professionals, the work is fundamentally about building and sustaining places — communities where businesses can locate, expand, and remain competitive.
Strong, predictable leadership from the Legislature and Executive Branch on pro‑business policy sets the groundwork.
When the state provides regulatory certainty and a stable business climate, it gives communities the confidence to invest in themselves and create the conditions that make Wyoming inviting to businesses.
Local governments and economic development organizations are already doing the hard connective work. They align land use planning, zoning, infrastructure, private investors, and community priorities.
They cut through friction and help projects move forward. What they cannot do alone is build the core physical capacity that makes opportunity possible. Without sustained investment in infrastructure and community-level capital, even the best programs fall short of producing real results.
That’s why organizations like the Wyoming Association of Municipalities and the Wyoming Economic Development Association believe that effective statewide economic development must prioritize empowering communities with the tools and resources needed to be opportunity-ready.
As decisions are made about the future role of the Wyoming Business Council and other state partners, success should be measured by whether communities are better positioned to support business growth in real, tangible ways.
If Wyoming wants long-term economic success, the path is clear:
State leadership sets the pro-business conditions.
Communities build the capacity.
And together, we create the places where businesses choose to stay, grow, and invest.
That is how Wyoming has always worked.
That is how we pick Wyoming.
Ashley Harpstreith is the executive director of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities
