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Local economic development groups urge caution on wholesale repeal of WBC programs
Summary
Representatives of state and local economic development organizations told the committee they favor reform and preservation of certain programs (workforce housing, brownfields, large project loans, partnership challenge loan) and warned that low awareness—not lack of value—explains low utilization in some programs.
A broad coalition of practitioners and local officials urged the committee to take a measured approach before eliminating programs.
Betsy Hale, CEO of Cheyenne Leads and legislative chair of the Wyoming Economic Development Association, said the association’s survey of 21 boots‑on‑the‑ground practitioners showed many communities still rely on programs proposed for elimination. Hale said several programs meet distinct local needs and recommended reform rather than wholesale repeal. "Low utilization should be evaluated alongside program awareness and outreach," she told the committee.
Other witnesses — including the Liberty Chamber Business Alliance, Sweetwater County’s economic development coalition, and Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins — described how programs such as the brownfields revolving loan and workforce housing infrastructure play roles in local projects and asked the committee to pause elimination until local practitioners had input.
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