CASPER, Wyo. — Tourism significantly boosted Natrona County’s economy in 2024, injecting nearly $378 million in direct spending and supporting over 3,400 jobs, and local tax revenues saw a slight increase along with increased visitor expenditures, according to a new economic analysis. The report, prepared for the Wyoming Office of Tourism by Dean Runyan Associates, details the […]
Economy
Posted inBusiness
Shock of Trump tariffs has Wyoming businesses worried
Wyoming businesses whipsawed by Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs and the global market’s reaction face tough conditions. But a three-month pause on one round of hefty tariffs brings some relief.
Posted inEconomy
Gov. Gordon announces applications for property tax refund now available
CASPER, Wyo. — Gov. Mark Gordon, alongside the Wyoming Department of Revenue, has announced that the property tax refund program for homeowners is now open for applications. That’s according to a release from the governor’s office, which states that the Legislature appropriated an additional $10.5 million to meet the state’s commitment to homeowners in need. […]
Posted inCommunity
Commission weighs Rocky Mountain Power’s joint proposal for 10.2% overall rate increase
Monthly power bills for the average Wyoming residence would go up about $18 under the proposed rate increase.
Posted inLatest News
New law allows cities and towns to invest in equities
CASPER, Wyo. — Gov. Mark Gordon signed SF0145 into law this week, allowing cities and other local governments to invest in equities and corporate stocks. Sponsored by Laramie County Senator Tara Nethercott, the bill provides a framework by which the local government investor assumes all risk, establishes an advisory board and submits investment policy statements […]
Posted inCommunity
Wildfire risk plan bill aimed at easing utility’s insurance rates, customer rates
Companies complying with their state-approved risk mitigation plans carry a presumption of reasonable prudence with regard to wildfire preparation in civil cases, the bill states.
Posted inBreaking News
Casper’s Reid Rasner makes $47.45 billion bid for TikTok
“The hardest few months are behind us,” Rasner said of the high-stakes, time-sensitive deal on Tuesday.
Posted inEconomy
Wyoming’s economy sends mixed signals in January
Wyoming’s economy is showing a mixed bag of results, with both positive and negative trends emerging.
Posted inCommunity
United Way of Natrona County offering free tax preparation to Wyoming residents
CASPER, Wyo. — United Way of Natrona County is offering free tax preparation assistance to anybody in Wyoming. That’s according to a release from United Way, which states that Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Season kicked off Jan. 28. The release states that United Way of Natrona County is partnering with the Wyoming Free Tax Service, […]
Posted inEconomy
Casper-area sees slight unemployment rise from last year as overall economy improves
CASPER, Wyo. — According to data from the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division, Natrona County’s unemployment rate at the end of September is slightly up from the same point in 2023, as well as the state’s average at the same point. At the end of September, Natrona County’s unemployment rate was 2.9%. At the same point […]
Posted inCommunity
Natrona County sees $32.4 million in business development impact
CASPER, Wyo. — The local Natrona County economy — including hotels, stores, restaurants, gas stations, activities and more — saw an economic impact of approximately $32.4 million in 2024 from business development efforts, Visit Casper recently reported. “Business development — including meetings, groups, sports and other events — are a key part of our marketing efforts […]
Posted inEconomy
Natrona, Campbell counties have more invasive cheatgrass than anywhere in Wyoming; Campbell County rangeland most impacted
CASPER, Wyo. — In a newly published paper seeking to assess the broad economic impacts that specific invasive weed species have on Wyoming agriculture, UW researchers found that one weed in particular, cheatgrass, could cause upwards of $110 million in damage yearly if left unchecked. Its greatest footholds happen to be in Natrona and Campbell […]
Posted inCommunity
Gordon blasts BLM decision to end coal leasing in Campbell County
Gordon promised litigation and an appeal to the incoming Donald Trump presidential administration to reverse the decision.
Posted inEconomy
Natrona County sees employment growth while Wyoming economy gives mixed signals
CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming’s economy is experiencing moderate growth, with positive trends in employment but challenges in the energy sector. That’s according to the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information’s latest MACRO report, which says rig counts remain a bright spot for Wyoming energy. However, low natural gas prices, lower oil prices and declining coal […]
Posted inLatest News
Prism Logistics sues Natrona County over mining ban on state lands
CASPER, Wyo. — The company that wants to mine gravel on state land at the base of Casper Mountain doubts Natrona County has the legal right to block activity on land belonging to the state. On Sept. 17, the Natrona County Commission voted to amend a zoning rule to effectively block Prism Logistics’ attempt to […]
Posted inCommunity
The affordable quality starter home: Does it exist?
Engebretsen put the average home price in Natrona County at $517,305.
Posted inCommunity
Casper’s economic health creeps up with rising home prices, added jobs
Though unemployment was up slightly since last year, home prices, taxable purchases, and overall jobs increased, according to the report.
Posted inCommunity
Governor to discuss launch of stable token at Blockchain conference next week
CASPER, Wyo. — Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon will speak at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium next Wednesday to discuss the launch of “the nation’s first-ever state-issued, fiat-backed stable token,” the governor’s office announced Friday. “Over the last seven years, our legislature has passed more than 40 laws to create a regulatory environment conducive to innovation around […]
Posted inCommunity
Council expects visitor boom after making Ft. Caspar a Pony Express destination
““We look forward in ‘28 [to] coming to see the new exhibit,” said Mayor Steve Cathey.
Posted inCity
Council to consider hosting Pony Express collection, water rate structure at work session
The Fort Caspar expansion and designation as a National Pony Express Museum could add over $3 million annually to the local economy, the consultant said.
Posted inPromoted
Let’s get it started: Apply for the Casper Start-Up Challenge now
Do you have a dream? Or maybe you have a really, really good idea? Have you ever wanted to change the world or, at the very least, your world? Now is your chance, thanks to the Casper Start-Up Challenge. It started with an idea. A select group of men and women realized many years ago […]
Posted inEconomy
Casper employment, housing prices up in first quarter of 2024
CASPER, Wyo. — Casper is home to 500 more jobs than in February 2023, a significant contribution to the addition of 2,800 jobs added statewide, according to the Economic Analysis Division of the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information. That’s one of many details included in the state’s quarterly MACRO report, released in late April. […]
Posted inLatest News
Gordon vetoes bill targeting proposed gravel mine west of Casper
CASPER, Wyo. — On Monday, Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed Senate File 44, which started about bonding issues related to permits for limited mining operations but evolved into something much different that posed constitutional problems about the management of state lands, according to a press release from the governor’s office. That evolution was a result of […]