Wyoming must choose to say ‘Yes’

We are in a time of great economic change. The global economy is reorienting itself, new technologies are providing new opportunities and demands and demographic changes in American society are altering what our communities look like. In times of economic turmoil, the choices we make have outsized importance. In Wyoming, we must ask what we should be focusing on to ensure a prosperous tomorrow.

Likely the most important factor for Wyoming’s future prosperity is something that no government can provide: our attitude. Wyoming was built on the pioneer mindset. Those who founded this state believed in going into difficult places, pursuing big ideas and building something new.  It took hard work, dedication and resilience — all traits that define us today. Without this perspective, Wyoming simply would not exist.  

However, as Wyoming has coalesced from a frontier into a modern state, our perspective has changed. We have seen the difficulty — including the impact on communities — that comes with new developments. We have seen the risks that come with investments that do not pan out and the success we have had in focusing heavily on what we have already established. Rather than building something new, our focus has turned to holding onto what we already have.  This is not inherently unreasonable. We should support our existing economic drivers, and new development should be considered carefully.  Many proposed projects have failed, and that has bred some understandable skepticism about those who champion unproven ideas.  We are used to being promised much with little delivered. For many, that has unfortunately caused an opposition to improvement, rather than the cautious openness that should define us.

This is a dangerous mindset. Despite our wishes, Wyoming is going to change. It already has. The Wyoming of the past decades is not the Wyoming of today, demographically, politically, economically or in almost any other way. Nothing we do can prevent those types of changes. Our challenge is instead whether we can maintain the core values that made us successful as we navigate those changes.  

Despite how it may sometimes feel, Wyoming does have opportunities.  Whether it be changes in energy markets, data centers, advanced manufacturing or something else, new industries are going to arise that Wyoming should capitalize on. Technological changes have made it far easier to support some industries in Wyoming. One of our greatest strengths is that we have not yet overburdened most projects with regulations — well-intentioned or not — that cause delays, cost increases and market distortions far beyond their potential benefits.

None of these opportunities matter without the perspective toward the future that allows for growth. Too often, proposals about new industries or developments are met with knee-jerk opposition. Where other states fight to attract businesses, too many in Wyoming fight to keep them away. Our pioneer spirit of envisioning Wyoming as an economic leader is at risk of dying, replaced by an inwardly focused and self-indulgent desire to preserve the status quo at the expense of improvement.  

This is not to say that we must set aside our discernment or that every project is right for Wyoming. Some make sense, some do not. What we must avoid is immediate opposition to change for reasons of personal convenience, rather than public-minded good. Growth must be on our terms, but make no mistake, we must either grow or wither. There is no stasis.

Wyoming must make a choice. Will we be open to new, often risky projects, knowing that many are likely to be unsuccessful? Or will we oppose those projects, knowing that holding exclusively on to what we have now reduces our capacity for prosperity in the future? We are like the investor deciding what to do with their money. We can invest where there is both risk and the opportunity for reward, or we can stash our wealth under their mattress, where there is little chance of loss, but no chance of growth. It calls to mind the biblical parable of the talents. Where we have been given opportunities, we should pursue growth and progress, not hide away out of fear of loss.

My call for Wyoming is to find ways to say “yes” to opportunities.  Everything worthwhile takes work, sacrifice and requires us to overcome obstacles. That does not make it less valuable. If Wyoming is going to continue to be great, we must find ways to support those who will embody our pioneer mindset. Wyoming can be an economic leader and stay Wyoming. Our values are what define us, and we must choose to stay true to them. This is a decision that must be made by each of us. It will impact our politics and our communities, but it must be driven by the citizens. The responsibility falls to us.