ENDOW Executive Council Submits Initial Report to Governor, Wyoming Legislature

ENDOW 9-1-17

The ENDOW (Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming) Executive Council submitted its first report to Governor Matt Mead and the Wyoming Legislature through the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee.

This initial report establishes a baseline for the preliminary recommendations due by Dec. 31, 2017, and sets the stage for the advancement of a 20-year economic diversification strategy for Wyoming. The Executive Council’s initial report includes sector-by-sector analyses that were evaluated and enhanced by industrial representatives and include national trends, peer state comparisons, workforce data, barriers, enablers and opportunities.

“I am proud of the work the Executive Council has done so far,” ENDOW Co-Chair Greg Hill said. “Equipped with the data and detailed analyses presented in this report, we are well on our way to establishing a clear and actionable 20-year strategy that works for Wyoming people and supports a prosperous future for Wyoming workers.”

“Our mandate on the Executive Council is to think differently and challenge the status quo. I believe every member of the Executive Council has taken our charge with the seriousness and rigor the task requires,” Executive Council Vice-Chair Bill Schilling said.” This is only the first phase of this process, but I have confidence that as we continue to distill this information and move forward, the Executive Council will develop and pursue a strategy that maps out a bold and successful economic road for Wyoming.”

“The ENDOW Executive Council has received excellent input from Wyoming people and invaluable support from a number of state agencies, the University of Wyoming and Wyoming’s community colleges, local economic development leaders and private sector partners. My thanks to everyone who has engaged with the Executive Council so far. I cannot stress enough how vital the input we receive from Wyoming people is to ENDOW’s process and chances of success,” ENDOW Co-Chair Greg Hill concluded.

ENDOW, which stands for “Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming,” aims to facilitate broader, lasting economic growth at the state and local level by capitalizing on the state’s No. 1 strength: Wyoming people. This critical economic development and diversification initiative was spearheaded by Wyoming Governor Matt Mead with the support of the Wyoming legislative leaders. The ENDOW initiative’s enabling legislation created the ENDOW Executive Council, which is comprised of Wyoming citizens appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The presiding officers of the House and Senate and the Chairmen of the House and Senate Minerals Committees are members.

As required by the ENDOW initiative’s enabling legislation (Enrolled Act No. 64; SF 132 Summary), the ENDOW Executive Council is to “prepare and submit to the Governor and Legislature through the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee, an exhaustive assessment of socioeconomic data, which shall include an examination of state and local fiscal sustainability, existing, new and emerging economic sectors and subsectors of the economy, identification of potential business development and innovation zones, an inventory of existing workforce strengths and deficiencies, economic trends and key enablers for economic growth in the state that translate to viable business development.”

For more information, go to https://www.endowyo.biz/.