Scenic. Sparsely populated. Rugged. Western. Bison. Cowboy. Mountainous. Outdoorsy. Equality. Pristine. These were the answers provided by ChatGPT when a description of Wyoming was queried. There is no doubt that these words are an accurate representation of the state.
Wyoming is incredibly scenic. From the vast windswept prairie, dotted with bison, to the snowcapped mountains of the Rockies, Tetons, Bighorns, and Absaroka Range, Wyoming contains a significant amount of public land. National and State Parks, such as Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glendo, as well as national forests and other protected lands offer pristine views, rugged wilderness, and outdoor adventure unlike any other place on Earth!
As home to Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, cowboys and rodeo are integral to Wyoming’s culture. This culture is memorialized on the Wyoming license plate, featuring a bucking horse and rider along with the words “Forever West” with an expansive landscape in the background. The roots of western heritage truly run deep in Wyoming.
The state motto of Wyoming is “Equal Rights”. In 1967, Wyoming earned this significant historical distinction when the state granted women the right to vote and hold public office, making it the first place in the United States to do so. Wyoming also claims the first female Justice of the Peace, the first all-woman jury, and in 1927, the first female Governor. This progressive move towards equality is a milestone in history, and still reflects the commitment to these values today.
As the least populated state in the Union, with fewer than 580,000 residents, most of Wyoming’s population is concentrated in urban areas, such as Casper, Cheyenne, and Laramie. A majority of land in the state is open and undeveloped.
While these words describe the face of Wyoming that is readily apparent to both residents and visitors alike, the state has another lesser-known attribute. Located just a few miles from the Colorado border, and only 90 minutes north of Denver, Cheyenne, Wyoming is quietly diversifying and strengthening their economy, and quickly becoming a destination of choice for multiple industries.
Companies such as Sierra, Lowes Distribution Center, and Searing Industries all call Cheyenne home. Due to Wyoming’s support of the Second Amendment, firearms related companies are moving their operations from less hospitable states to Cheyenne.
Many of the businesses relocating to Wyoming are multi-generational companies who have been in their current location for decades. Their relocations have been spurred by the proximity to rail lines and interstate highways, the tax climate, the availability of shovel ready sites, reliable energy, a dedicated workforce, and an unsurpassed quality of life that is unique to Wyoming.
In addition to the industries of distribution and manufacturing, Microsoft has multiple locations in Cheyenne. Other developers have subsequently asked, “What does Microsoft know, that we don’t?” As a result, another large data center company has purchased 900 acres in the newly formed High Plains Business Park, and five other data centers and data center developers are going through due diligence periods for other sites in the Cheyenne area as well. They have discovered what makes Cheyenne, Wyoming a hidden gem:
Strategic Location: Cheyenne’s central location in the United States, along with access to both Union Pacific and BNSF rail facilitates the movement of goods. Sitting at the crossroads of Interstate 80 and Interstate 25 allows for supply chain efficiency when transporting raw materials to facilities and finished goods for distribution, reducing transit times and costs.
Cheyenne’s location at the northern end of the front range allows for an easy commute for the 183,000 workers within Cheyenne’s labor shed. Cheyenne draws workforce from neighboring Wyoming counties and northern Colorado – all on well-maintained interstates with little traffic.
The Best Tax Climate – No really. Phrases like “Open for Business” and “Business-friendly” litter the economic development landscape but in Wyoming, they mean it. In fact, The National Tax Foundation recently released the 2023 State Tax Climate Index, which compares states’ tax structure across more than 120 variables. For more than 10 years Wyoming has ranked #1 for overall tax climate.
Tax advantages of doing business in Wyoming are:
- No state corporate or individual income tax
- No inventory tax
- No sales tax on manufacturing equipment
- No sales tax on electricity and gas used in the manufacturing process
- No state or local gross receipts tax
- Low sales tax (4% state + 2% county)
With this lack of taxes your company and your employees keep more of what they make.
Available Land. Cheyenne LEADS the economic development organization for Cheyenne and Laramie County continues to develop shovel-ready business parks. These parks are home to multiple distribution companies, manufacturers, and data centers. With thousands of acres of land available, businesses are finding a place to move, grow and expand.
Reliable Energy. Wyoming is a significant energy producer, providing access to reliable and cost-effective energy sources for distribution and logistics operations. Wyoming state Governor Mark Gordon is committed to the “all the above” energy strategy, ensuring Wyoming remains a leader in energy production in the future.
A Dedicated Workforce. Wyoming, like most places, is looking at ways to increase their workforce. However, employers in Cheyenne will tell you that once they have hired an employee, they are hardworking, dedicated, and well-trained. Wyoming offers a robust community college system focused on answering the needs of companies in Wyoming.
Quality of Life. The vast beauty of the state is apparent to everyone who visits and those that live there don’t take access to the outdoors for granted. Cheyenne aren’t looking for a fast-paced urban lifestyle. They are looking for an environment with clean air and water, well-regarded educational institutions and healthcare facilities, and a safe community in which to grow their business and raise their family. All of which are available, and with an average commute time of just 14 minutes. What isn’t there to love about that?