WY Legislature To Debate Defunding Wyoming Business Council

A state organization that has aided the economic growth of the Sheridan area, could soon be no more.

Last month the Wyoming Legislative Joint Appropriations Committee voted to defund the Wyoming Business Council, by leaving it out of the budget proposal that will soon be debated by the full legislature.

Governor Mark Gordon is against the proposal and has suggested that the WBC be examined, but not defunded.

Robert Briggs with the Sheridan Economic and Education Development Authority (SEEDA), says money that was awarded to help with Phase II of the Hi-Tech Business Park, was awarded to Sheridan by the WBC in the previous biennium, thus if the WBC is shutdown, the money awarded to the park is not lost.

He adds Sheridan has made good use of WBC resources, which have been around since 1998.

“The Sheridan community has had a long time partnership with the Wyoming Business Council and has been able to use its programs effectively. We’ve appreciated that partnership. It has resulted in a lot of very positive projects in our community and created a lot of employment in our community and economic activity, so we’re hopeful to be able to continue working with the Wyoming Business Council and appreciate its staff and resources.”

According to the Wyoming Legislative calendar, the first discussions regarding the budget bill are scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 12th.