Legislature should continue funding Wyoming Business Council

Dear editor:

I recently shared the following concerns with my state legislators and believe they merit broader public discussion. 

My professional career included responsibility for investment decisions across the western United States for an international industrial company, followed by global operational and business unit leadership. We invested significantly in Wyoming. 

From firsthand experience evaluating the risks and opportunities associated with deploying capital, creating jobs, and committing long-term resources, I can say with confidence that the presence of a capable, professional, and public-facing business development office matters. 

While only a portion of large-scale investment flows directly through organizations such as the Wyoming Business Council (WBC), their broader role is critically important. The existence of a transparent, procedurally fair entity that demonstrates how a state evaluates and deploys its own capital sends a strong signal to private-sector decision- makers. It helps executives understand how their shareholders, employees, and investments are likely to be treated. Wyoming has historically benefited from this reputation. 

Recent budget recommendations affecting the Wyoming Business Council raise concerns about the message Wyoming sends to investors, employers, and residents. This is not to suggest that the WBC should remain static. Like any effective organization influencing investment decisions, it must continually refine and improve its processes—and in recent years, it has been doing exactly that. Reform and accountability are appropriate; dismantling or defunding the institution is not. 

When I chose to make Wyoming my home, I did so in part because of the accessibility and effectiveness of its government. Wyoming already faces challenges in attracting and retaining talented workers and self-funded retirees. Weakening institutions that support economic development risks compounding those challenges at a time when stability and clarity matter most. 

I have worked closely with the Wyoming Business Council as a charter member of Big Horn County Citizens for Economic Development, an apolitical group representing diverse professions and communities across our county. While reasonable people may disagree on specific recommendations, the Council’s role as a point of access, transparency, and continuity in the state’s investment process is essential. 

Wyoming should continue to fund the Wyoming Business Council and encourage its ongoing improvement. Doing so supports economic stability, signals seriousness to investors, and serves the long-term interests of Wyoming’s citizens. 

Respectfully, 

Nolan A. O’Neal 

Shell