Cheyenne, WY –– In Wyoming, we pride ourselves on our independence, our grit, and our horsepower. But here’s the truth: no matter how strong our industries are, decisions made in the Capitol ripple across every corner of our state. They affect every business, every industry, and ultimately, every community.

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That’s why last week, the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, joined by business leaders from across the state, traveled to Washington, DC. We met with our congressional delegation and representatives from the U.S. Chamber to make sure Wyoming’s business voice was front and center as federal policies continue to take shape. On the table were issues that directly affect Wyoming’s prosperity: permitting reform, the OBBA and taxes, immigration and H-2B visas, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, and tariffs. I’m sure you’ve heard about many of these issues already, and I’m sure many are issues your businesses are also currently navigating. That’s because these aren’t just hot topics, they’re real challenges with real consequences for Wyoming’s economy.

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Take cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. These industries are redefining what current and future markets will look like. For example, Wyoming recently launched its own stabletoken, becoming the first state in the nation, and the first government in the world, to do so. That bold step established Wyoming as a leader in the cryptocurrency market. But without federal clarity, that leadership is at risk. Cryptocurrency presents enormous opportunities, but also real challenges for community banks. We sat down with Senator Lummis to dig into how businesses can navigate both the risks and rewards of entering, and working with, the crypto market. We also sat down with the U.S. Chamber to discuss the need for a consistent national framework for artificial intelligence. A patchwork of state-by-state AI rules will create chaos for companies that operate across borders. What’s needed is clarity, consistency, and communication.

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Permitting reform was another major focus. Across the nation, and especially in Wyoming, excessive red tape is causing costly delays. Projects in all industries are being stalled, caught in excessive reviews, interagency gridlock, legal uncertainties, and unnecessary costs. Consider energy: within five years, it is predicted that the U.S. won’t be able to generate enough power to meet demand. The U.S. Chamber has warned of a coming period they’re calling “Brown,” a future where states, including Wyoming, could be forced to function with less power, or even face outages, just as demand is skyrocketing. The average time to build a power plant is currently five to six years; for a nuclear reactor, seven to eight. Every year lost to permitting is an opportunity lost, and it’s time we can’t afford to waste.

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Workforce and immigration were also top of mind. Wyoming faces a shrinking labor pool, made worse by a national population decline and the troubling trend of our young adults leaving the state in search of jobs, industries, or quality of life they can’t find here. Yes, we must champion tech and trades alongside four-year degrees, but the problem goes deeper: even with the right skills, we don’t have enough workers to meet demand. That’s why immigration reform, particularly around H-2B visas and the current cap set on them, is critical. Industries like tourism, construction, and agriculture rely on these workers to keep their doors open and their operations running. Without a legal, reliable workforce, Wyoming’s economy grinds to a halt.

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We also pressed hard on the OBBA, taxes, rural healthcare, and tariffs, all of which weigh heavily on businesses here at home. Tariffs in particular are driving up costs across every industry, squeezing margins for Wyoming producers and manufacturers. At every turn, our message was the same: Wyoming’s prosperity depends on policies that work for business, not against it.

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And here’s what we want to emphasize: our delegation listened. They took our concerns seriously, and they are working hard to address them. Wyoming is fortunate to have some of the best representatives in the nation. Leaders who not only care deeply about the prosperity of our state but also about every community within it. We are grateful for the time they gave us and for their commitment to advancing Wyoming’s future.

But just as important as the conversations themselves was the fact that we were there. Presence matters. Decisions are made by those who show up, and showing up is exactly what Wyoming business leaders did. When we sit at the table, our voice is heard. When we don’t, we’re on the menu, and Wyoming refuses to be on the menu.

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Because we showed up, because we fought for Wyoming business in the halls of Congress, we can expect to see progress on the issues that matter most to our industries, our workforce, and our communities. Wyoming doesn’t wait for prosperity. We make it happen.