The National Association of Counties(NACo) and the National Association of Development Organizations(NADO) Research Foundation hosted Strengthening Economies in Wyoming: A Forum for Coal-Reliant Communities on October 8-9, 2018 in Campbell County, Wyo., through the support of the U.S. Economic Development Administration-Denver Regional Office.
This educational and interactive forum was designed to convene and assist counties and regions in Wyoming experiencing economic and other community challenges due to changing conditions of the coal industry. This forum brought together stakeholders from local, regional, state and federal government, as well as nonprofit and private sector partners, to learn and share best practices, lessons learned and new opportunities to support economic diversification and other economic development efforts. During the event, plenary and panel sessions covered a variety of topics including strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, community engagement, energy, research & technology, and education & workforce development.
Wyoming Governor Matt Mead, as well as U.S Senators John Barrasso & Mike Enzi, joined the forum to share vision and perspective on building a stronger, more diversified economy in Wyoming.
Below is the link to the full forum agenda, followed by links to the presentations, other resources and photos.
Full Program/Agenda: Strengthening Economies in Wyoming
The Future of Coal and Implication for Campbell County and Wyoming
Regulatory & Markets Update: The State of the Rollback, Electricity Market Issues and ‘Life:Powered’ Initiative
Building Stronger Economies: An Overview of Economic Diversification
Roadmaps to Diversification: Planning & Community Engagement Perspectives from Montana
- Jim Atchison, Executive Director, Southeast Montana Development Corporation
- Becky Bey, Government Relations Specialist, KLJ Engineering
Building Stronger Economies in Wyoming: Spotlight on ENDOW(Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming)
- Jerimiah Rieman, Director of Economic Diversification Strategy, Office of Governor Matt Mead
- Sarah Fitz-Gerald, Industrial Development Manager, Wyoming Business Council
Innovative Opportunities for Advanced Coal
Serving Wyoming through Research Partnerships
- Dr. Michael Pishko, Dean, University of Wyoming, College of Engineering & Applied Sciences
- Jason Begger, Executive Director, Wyoming Infrastructure Authority
Importance of Commercial Air Service: A Spotlight on Campbell County
- Michael Von Flatern, Wyoming State Senator & Chairman of Minerals, Business, & Economic Development Committee
Forum in the News
- Mead: Time to do something on diversification, Casper Star-Tribune
- Shrug It Off: The Push for Recovery from Economic Shock in Gillette, County17
- Forum examines how coal-reliant communities can reinvent themselves, Gillette News Record
- For Wyoming, diversification begins with coal, Gillette News Record
Additional Resources
- Wyoming ENDOW initiative
- Colstrip(Mont.) Economic Diversification Plan
- Colstrip United community engagement Facebook page
- EDA Assistance to Coal Communities(ACC)
- EDA Economic Development Integration(EDI) and Diversification Summits
- USDA Rural Development Innovation Center
- USDA Task Force on Agriculture & Rural Prosperity Report
- Area 59 Center for Innovation & Fabrication(Gillette College)
- Stronger Economies in Coal-Reliant Communities of Appalachia publication
- 2019 NACo Legislative Conference, March 2-6, Washington, D.C.
- 2019 NADO Washington Policy Conference, March 18-20, Arlington, Va.
- 2019 NACo Western Interstate Region(WIR) Conference, May 15-17, Spokane County, Wash.
