News briefs for February 2024 edition

The U.S. Small Business Administration selected the Wyoming Small Business Development Center to administer a two-year statewide Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program.

Program offerings include no-cost, one-on-one short- and long-term training with expert cybersecurity professionals, access to online antivirus and other software tools and monthly webinars on simple methods to avoid scams and online attacks. The program is flexible and can be designed to meet an individual business owner’s needs.

Small business owners often assume they need advanced technical knowledge or the assistance of IT experts to combat online attackers. In fact, over 90% of attacks and scams occur due to human error and behavior. The goal of this program is to help entrepreneurs and their employees adopt better habits and practices to make their websites, email communications and data more secure.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Wyoming’s economy and ensuring they are protected from cyber threats is essential to avoiding business disruptions,” said SBDC state director Jill Kline. “This program is designed to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their businesses and customers from online attacks. Additionally, our advising staff have received foundational training and several advisors have more in-depth training and will work with businesses over time to accomplish their cybersecurity goals.”

Interested small business owners can contact their local SBDC adviser for more information on the program or the SBDC Cybersecurity Program manager Paul Johnson at 307-314-5208 (email: pjohns45@uwyo.edu). If you don’t currently work with an SBDC adviser, you can contact your local adviser by visiting wyomingsbdc.org and completing the brief form at the top of the home page.

Wyoming leads the country in percentage of self-employed people

Just over one-third of Wyoming’s 436,564 full-time and part-time jobs in 2022 were self-employed, according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) estimates.

This proportion was the highest in the U.S. BEA self-employment includes the number of sole proprietorships (based on Schedule C, IRS Form 1040) and the tabulation of individual general partners (reported on Schedule B, IRS Form 1065). Similar to the wage and salary employment, self-employment also measures jobs – as opposed to workers – on a full-time and part-time basis.

Nationally, the share of self-employment was 25.6%. Florida (31.1%), Montana (29.5%), and Texas (29.3%) were the only other states that exceeded 29%. The District of Columbia (13.9%) had the lowest percentage of self-employed, followed by West Virginia (20.3%), Wisconsin (20.5%) and Indiana (20.7%).

Over time, the growth rate for self-employed was much faster than wage and salary employment, according to the Wyoming Economic Analysis Division. For example, for the past 50 years, between 1972 and 2022, wage and salary employment just doubled, while self-employment more than quadrupled in both the U.S. and Wyoming.

Particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic started, self-employed jobs sped up dramatically. From 2019 to 2022, self-employment in the state grew 32.2%, compared to the decline of 2.4% for wage and salary employment.

The BEA estimate covers all counties in the U.S., and also includes industries. In Wyoming, real estate and rental and leasing showed the highest proportion of self-employed jobs with 87.6%, followed by finance and insurance at 77.8% and farm at 73.2%.

Sheridan County had the highest percent of self-employed jobs (50.4%) in the state, followed by Johnson’s 47.4%. Crook (42.9%), Lincoln (41.7%), Niobrara (42.1%), and Teton (41.9%) counties also demonstrated larger shares. Sweetwater County had the smallest proportion, where only 19.6% of jobs were self-employed. Albany, Campbell and Carbon counties also displayed a lower number of self-employment, around 26%, respectively in 2022.

Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine wins inaugural award

The U.S. National Science Foundation late last month announced that the Colorado-Wyoming Climate Resilience Engine (CO-WY Engine) is an inaugural NSF Regional Innovation Engine (NSF Engines) awardee.

The CO-WY Engine will initially receive up to $15 million for the next two years, totaling up to $160 million over 10 years.

The CO-WY Engine is a groundbreaking initiative focused on driving innovation in climate resiliency, which will catalyze a series of significant outcomes to reshape the landscape of reliable climate technologies and economic development in Colorado and Wyoming – two states that have grappled with two decades of environmental challenges such as aridification and extreme weather events. The CO-WY Engine, led by Innosphere Ventures, will drive the development and commercialization of innovative solutions that support communities to monitor, mitigate and adapt to climate impacts, according to a news release.

The CO-WY Engine will focus on the development and commercialization of advanced climate-resilient technologies, spanning from environmental monitoring to predictive analytics. By focusing on innovative solutions in areas such as wildfire mitigation, water resource management, soil carbon capture, earth sensing, methane, sustainable agriculture and adaptation to extreme weather events, the CO-WY Engine will revolutionize how we predict, mitigate and adapt to climate impacts.

Commercialization of these new technologies by the CO-WY Engine collaborators will result in economic growth and job creation in the region, the release said. 

"Our country needs all of our energy and Wyoming’s expertise. Wyoming has always been a leader in energy and the environment, and we’re proud of that legacy,” Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said. “Wyoming’s economy will continue to grow as we meet the needs of evolving markets and expand our capabilities for innovation. Colorado and Wyoming bring the expertise and know-how necessary to develop new technologies and businesses that do that. The demand for electricity is only going to grow, and we are proud to be at the forefront of some of the most critical pieces of the West’s expanding energy economy."

Cheyenne rancher to lead National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Cheyenne rancher Mark Eisele will serve as president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the oldest and largest national organization representing America’s beef farmers and ranchers.

“I have worked on ranches my whole life, and I know how meaningful this way of life has been to me and my family. As president of NCBA, my focus is protecting this way of life so that my children and grandchildren can know what it means to be a rancher,” Eisele said in a news release. “When I was starting out, all I wanted to do was raise a family and raise cattle, but this business is much more complicated. I have learned that we need organizations like NCBA to defend our interests, and I look forward to giving back to this organization that has helped my operation and my family thrive.” 

Eisele began his ranching career at the age of 15, when he became a hired hand at the historic King Ranch Company in Cheyenne. Through the years, Eisele bought into the ranch and became its sole owner in 2011.

Today, Eisele and his family graze their cattle on a mix of public and private lands. The ranch was recognized in 2015 with the Leopold Conservation Award and the Wyoming Stock Growers Environmental Stewardship Award. Eisele also had the honor of serving as the 51st president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, a historic organization that has existed since before Wyoming’s statehood.

Eisele has served NCBA in numerous roles including president-elect, vice president, policy division chair, and policy division vice chair. He has also served on the NCBA Nominating Committee, Cattle Health and Wellbeing Committee, and Environmental Stewardship Award Committee. 

Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the marketing organization and trade association for cattle farmers and ranchers. Headquartered in Denver, with an office in Washington, D.C., NCBA is a producer-directed organization focused on industry advocacy, promotion, education and research.

UW, CSU to test algae-based carbon technology at Wyoming's ITC

Wyoming’s Integrated Test Center will host a new $2.5 million project with Colorado State University, the University of Wyoming and Living Ink Technologies to convert an industrial source of carbon dioxide into high-value materials through an algae-based carbon transfer process.

The project, also supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, began its initial phase in 2023. The research will run for three years, with about six months of testing at the facility.

Led by Professor Ken Reardon, associate dean for research at CSU’s Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering, the project is expected to advance carbon management through carbon conversion – and to minimize the environmental impacts of fossil energy.

“We are looking forward to launching the test phase of this project with our partners at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center,” said Reardon, a professor of chemical and biological engineering, in a UW news release. “By leveraging and refining our biorefinery process, we aim to convert a utility source of CO2 into two high-value bioproducts via algae cultivation, benefitting both the environment and the economy.”

UW’s team will convert the liquid from algae pyrolysis into advanced energy materials such as carbon nanofiber supercapacitor electrodes, under the direction of UW School of Energy Resources (SER) Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Maohong Fan.

Wyoming Insight: Oil prices up, mining sector still improving

The January 2024 issue of the Wyoming Insight is available at the state of Wyoming's Economic Analysis Division website ai.wyo.gov/divisions/economic-analysis. The Wyoming Insight serves as an energy index and business indicators report for the state.

Highlights from this month's issue include:

Oil prices increase, nearing $75/bbl.; natural gas prices rise

"The West Texas Intermediate monthly average price for crude oil was $74.15 per bbl. in January," said Dylan Bainer, principal economist for the state's Economic Analysis Division. Average active oil rigs were 11 in January, and the conventional gas rig count was one. A year ago, there were 18 oil rigs and three conventional gas rigs.

"Natural gas spot prices at the national benchmark (Henry Hub) increased in January," Bainer said. "Spot prices at the Opal Hub, which mostly reflect markets in the West (particularly California), also increased compared to last month."

The January 2024 natural gas price at the Opal Hub averaged $4.74 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), $1.60 more than last month. The Henry Hub natural gas price averaged $3.22/MMBtu in January, $0.70 more than last month.

Mining sector sales and use tax revenues continue to improve

"January sales and use tax collections from the mining sector were up $2.2 million (+23.1%) year-over-year," according to Bainer. This is the 29th consecutive month mining sector collections have increased year-over-year. Total collections summed to $88 million, $2.6 million (+3.1%) more than January last year.

Oil and gas employment still down big compared to pre-pandemic levels 

"Oil and gas employment in the state numbered 8,800 jobs in December 2023, 500 less than December last year," said Bainer. Before the COVID-19 pandemic started to have a large impact on the economy in April 2020, oil and gas employment in the state numbered nearly 12,000 jobs.

Mining employment still down compared to pre-pandemic levels

"Relative to February 2020 (before the pandemic hit the labor market in March 2020), total employment has surpassed pre-COVID levels, but employment in the mining sector has still not fully recovered," said Bainer. Compared to February 2020, total employment was up 6,800 jobs in December 2023, but employment in the mining sector was down 3,200 jobs.

Construction sector leads Wyoming job growth in third quarter 2023

The Research and Planning Section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported Friday that from third quarter 2022 to third quarter 2023, total employment in the state rose by 6,212 jobs (2.2%), and total payroll increased by $186.4 million (4.7%).

In third quarter 2023, the largest job growth occurred in construction, which added 1,307 jobs (5.8%). Within construction, especially strong growth was observed in power and communication system construction (including the construction of wind farms).

Other sectors that exhibited solid growth included leisure and hospitality (1,225 jobs, or 2.9%), professional and business services (957 jobs, or 4.4%), local government (including public schools, colleges and hospitals; 648 jobs, or 1.5%), and mining (including oil and gas; 613 jobs, or 3.7%).

More modest growth occurred in federal government (337 jobs, or 4.2%), health care and social assistance (316 jobs, or 1.2%), and transportation and warehousing (274 jobs, or 2.7%). Employment fell in retail trade (-95 jobs, or –0.3%) and financial activities (-94 jobs, or –0.8%).

Employment and wages data for fourth quarter 2023 are scheduled to be published May 3.

ICC expands into Laramie, Cheyenne and Casper

When Medicine Bow Technologies (MBT) shuttered operations in the spring of 2022, ICC was fortunate to have met one of their key executives, Shaun Bullock. ICC, a Fort Collins-based Managed Services Provider (MSP), had been working for several clients in the Cheyenne area and loved the relationships they had with their Cheyenne customers.

Bullock and ICC started to look at opportunities in the Laramie area and, after several conversations, began providing services to several businesses in Laramie.

ICC met several former MBT employees who liked their customer and employee-centric approach to hiring people and engaging customers. By the end of 2022, two more former MBT employees had joined ICC, and several businesses in Laramie decided to partner with them. In mid-2023, two more former MBT employees joined ICC, and several companies in Casper chose to engage with the company.

Combining these former MBT team members, Wyoming customers and ICC has been an incredible fit, according to a news release. ICC delivers IT support and cybersecurity protection for customers in Colorado and Wyoming. 

Wyo Sports Ranch names Sam Bird as director of operations

The Wyo Sports Ranch (WSR) and Sports Facilities Companies recently announced the appointment of accomplished local professional Sam Bird as the new director of operations.

The proven leader, with a diverse background in business administration already living in Casper, began immediately to support the WSR in its pre-opening phase. Casper's newest state-of-the-art indoor sports facility, a 131,000-square-foot complex designed to host youth and amateur events for the community and for national opportunities, is slated to open in 2025.

Bird brings a wealth of experience in business and sports management to this new position. He is an accomplished professional who has, over the past decade, successfully managed many projects, operations and cross-functional teams in the sport and fitness industry across Kentucky, Arizona, and Wyoming.

Bird's local roots make him uniquely positioned to understand and cater to the needs of the community. As a resident of Casper, his firsthand experience and deep connections to the community will provide invaluable insights as he leads operations at the WSR.

NEA awards $35,000 in direct grants to Wyoming organizations

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the first round of recommended awards for fiscal year 2024, with grants in the categories of Grants for Arts Projects, Challenge America, Research Awards, and Literature Fellowships in creative writing (poetry) and translation.

A total of $35,000 was awarded to three recipients in Wyoming:

• Trinkle Brass Works, Inc., Casper, $10,000, Challenge America – To support performances by the Portable Masterpieces ensemble, with related educational programming
• Ucross Foundation, Clearmont, $15,000, Grants for Arts Projects-Artist Communities – To support an artist residency fellowship program.
• Relative Theatrics, Laramie, $10,000, Challenge America – To support a playwriting program for students in Albany County.

The NEA is committed to equity, access and fostering mutual respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups. Applications for funding demonstrated a commitment by the arts and culture sector to provide more equitable and accessible pathways for arts engagement.

The Wyoming Arts Council serves as the state partner for the National Endowment for the Arts and works closely with the NEA to support arts activities around Wyoming.

House passes Rep. Hageman’s critical infrastructure transfer bill

On Feb. 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed by voice vote Congresswoman Harriet Hageman’s bill, H.R. 3415, the Pilot Butte Power Plant Conveyance Act.

This bill, which now advances to the Senate, would transfer ownership of an unused hydropower plant located in Pavillion from the Bureau of Reclamation to the local Midvale Irrigation District. 

Congresswoman Hageman stated, “The passage of H.R. 3415 is a significant victory for Wyoming’s economy and reduces the burden on our taxpayers. This bill will revitalize the currently dormant Pilot Butte Power Plant, provide the Midvale Irrigation District and Fremont County with a valuable energy and revenue producing resource, and relieves the Bureau of Reclamation of the financial and administrative costs associated with maintaining, retrofitting or disposing of the plant. 

“Local entities such as Midvale know best the intricacies of water management in their area, and adding this infrastructure to their portfolio will help Wyoming optimize water usage, invest profits directly into their community, and provide Wyoming’s citizens with yet another affordable, reliable source of energy." 

House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman lent his support to the bill, stating, “Representative Hageman has worked hard on solutions for Wyoming both in the Natural Resources Committee and in Congress by introducing bills that directly impact local issues. She continues to do this with H.R. 3415, aiding the people of Pavillion, Wyoming for years to come by conveying the Pilot Butte Power Plant to the Midvale Irrigation. I want to thank Representative Hageman for her commitment to these common-sense solutions, and I am ready to help her get this bill through the Senate."