Across Wyoming, people are ready to build, grow and move forward. From Rock Springs to Sheridan and Torrington to Powell, there is a growing sense that it is time to stop talking about what is slipping away and focus on what is possible.
A new statewide poll conducted for the Wyoming Business Council confirms this shared belief: Opportunity, good jobs, and the chance for our children and grandchildren to stay close to home are not optional — they are essential.
The poll shows that most Wyoming voters want their local community to take decisive action to grow jobs and the economy. A clear majority supports responsible population growth when it means more opportunity for families and neighbors. Nearly everyone agrees that retaining young people and attracting new ones is critical for Wyoming’s future.
In the Cowboy State, decisions mean more when they reflect the voice of the people. Polling helps us listen, not politicize, showing what residents value most, what worries them and what gives them hope. It ensures every community has a seat at the table and captures the collective wisdom, optimism and grounded spirit of Wyoming.
This data gives us confidence to make the important, and sometimes big, decisions to grow. It shows that most of Wyoming wants progress that fits our values, but also progress that keeps our families rooted here.
More than half of the respondents have a child, grandchild or family member who has left the state for opportunities elsewhere. That fact hits home for many of us. However, the same poll shows that there is still deep hope and a desire to thrive. People want to see investment in job creation, housing and infrastructure. We want visible progress and responsible leadership. We want results, not excuses.
The greatest obstacle Wyoming faces is not a lack of opportunity. It is fear. Fear of change, conflict and the anxiety of losing the Wyoming we love. That fear often manifests as deeply damaging myths that block our path forward.
One myth we hold onto is that our economy is just fine, and we have time to wait. The numbers tell a different story. Our state has seen a long-term decline in GDP and we have the highest rate of youth outmigration in the country. We watch businesses and our young people move to other places for better opportunities. Voters are feeling it, citing the cost of living and housing availability as top challenges. This is an urgent situation.
Too often, those who support new ideas or projects stay quiet when the conversation turns loud or heated. We’ve seen this play out recently across the state. Even when most people support a business or development idea, many stay silent because they do not want to be caught in the crosshairs of controversy.
That silence has a cost. It pushes opportunity away and tells the next business or investor that Wyoming might not be ready to grow. It sends the wrong message to our young people, who wonder if they can build a life here.
We have always been pioneers, and our future must be led by a Team of Thousands — local leaders, businesses and partners who are ready to build.
Wyoming has a strong contingent of people who want progress and economic growth. The poll clearly shows that. People understand that our economy faces headwinds, but we are not giving up. We are practical, hopeful and ready to take bold action.
Our job at the Wyoming Business Council is to help turn that collective optimism into a visible reality. These poll results are a roadmap for building stronger communities. Growth in Wyoming has always started locally. It begins with leadership at the community level and partnerships with the private sector.
Wyoming residents are not opposed to investment. They simply want to know that their dollars are being used wisely. When local leaders and businesses work together and deliver results that matter, people respond with trust and support.
We cannot afford to keep losing opportunities, especially when every one of us wants our children and grandchildren to live and thrive in the beauty of Wyoming. The good news is that none of us is alone in that hope. All across this state, there is a shared belief in the potential of Wyoming people and communities.
There is opportunity everywhere, but we must make our optimism louder than the naysayers. Our challenge is to match belief with courage and take action.
The next chapter of Wyoming’s story will not be written by fear. It must be written by the people who dare to build.
Will you be part of the Team of Thousands? Review the polling data and share YOUR story, visit wbc.pub/teamof1000s.
As CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, Josh Dorrell provides leadership and strategic direction for the diverse team of passionate professionals working across the state to build self-reliant communities and create opportunities for future generations of Wyomingites. He can be reached at Josh.dorrell@wyo.gov or 307.777.2862.
WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
