The AHC’s Simpson Institute for Western Politics and Leadership is continuing the conversation on Wyoming’s economic future, this time from Southwest Wyoming. A recording of the inaugural event held in April at Laramie County Community College (Cheyenne campus) can be found on the Simpson Institute website.
On October 9, 2019, the Simpson Institute is collaborating with Western Wyoming Community College to host a discussion, “Breaking the Boom and Bust Cycle: Viewpoints from Southwest Wyoming.” This free public event will be at 6:30 PM in the Western Theater on the WWCC campus.
Moderating the discussion is former Wyoming Governor and U.S. Ambassador Mike Sullivan. Panelists are former Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, Sen. Dan Dockstader (R-District 16, Lincoln, Teton, Sublette counties), Sen. Tara Nethercott (R-District 04, Cheyenne) and Wyoming author Samuel Western.
The discussion will focus on Wyoming’s vision for the future from a socioeconomic standpoint. What is working? What requires change? What is success? The discussion will occur in the spirit of UW Professor Anne Alexander’s statement at the 2017 Southeast Wyoming Economic Report Luncheon, “It’s not going to get better unless we make it better…There’s no cavalry on the way. We’re the cavalry…” There will be a period at the end of the program for audience comments and questions.
Having this discussion in this part of Wyoming is particularly opportune as minerals-rich Southwest Wyoming grapples with a downturn in the energy market. But that doesn’t mean good things aren’t happening. Groups such as the Sweetwater Economic Development Coalition are working with those interested in starting, growing or sustaining their businesses in this part of the state. The event moderator and panelists have been in trenches working on issues related to Wyoming’s economy and will share their thoughts, plans, and experiences.
Wyoming PBS will livestream the event and will most likely broadcast a 60-minute edition of the program at a later date.
Co-sponsors of the event are the Wyoming Humanities Council, WWC Foundation, John W. Hay III, and Bernadine Craft.
For more information about the event, call Leslie Waggener at (307) 766-2557 or email lwaggen2@uwyo.edu.
