Wyoming is rich in natural resources and American West heritage. Its landscape is as varied as its energy resources. Windswept prairies and flat croplands yield to large expanses of sagebrush steppe and majestic mountains. World-class destinations such as Yellowstone National Park and open spaces are enjoyed by residents, businesses and visitors alike. But that is only half the story.

Wyoming consistently receives high marks for state management and deep financial reserves, which, in turn, provides business owners a reliable, collaborative environment in which to work.

The Wyoming Legislature is statutorily required to maintain a balanced budget and the state has an approximately $16 billion in savings. Solidly in the black, Wyoming is able to invest in education and  infrastructure critical to public and private business needs.

Wyoming government’s polished business practices spill over to its favourable business climate. The Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States report ranks Wyoming No. 2 (2014). Wyoming features no personal or corporate state income tax, a stable regulatory policy and a low cost of doing business.

Wyoming’s open-door access to legislators and the Governor is especially attractive to start-up companies in highly regulated industries. This access, coupled with numerous grant, loan and incentive programmes, provides business with key financial resources.

Wyoming is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountain region and is bordered by Utah, Nebraska, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota and Colorado.

Wyoming’s advantageous geographic location places it at the crossroads of the American West. Three interstate highways; two Class I railroads and major international airports in Billings, Montana; Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah, provide reliable access to and from Wyoming communities statewide.

The state’s combination of good infrastructure, a cool climate relatively sheltered from natural disasters, a solid workforce pool, low electricity costs and targeted incentives have attracted world leaders in the digital data storage and delivery business such as Microsoft and the EchoStar Corp.

Wyoming is increasingly a magnet for the high-tech and manufacturing industries and has notched other notable wins under its belt of late.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research’s 1.5-petaflop Yellowstone Supercomputer went online in 2012 in Cheyenne. It is one of the world’s fastest big-data computers. About 75 million core-hours per year are reserved for University of Wyoming-led projects.

International safety science company Underwriters Laboratories expanded to Laramie, Wyoming, in 2014. The office houses UL’s technology development and support services for enterprise applications and global clients in the technology sector.

Tungsten Heavy Powder & Parts announced in August 2015 its China-based production operation will move to Laramie. The Laramie plant will produce tungsten fragments and penetrators to be sold globally to military weapons and armament manufacturers.

Meanwhile, several large energy projects are on the horizon in Wyoming including:

– The 1,000-turbine Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project in south-central Wyoming. It will be the largest wind farm in the US

– The TransWest Express transmission line from south central Wyoming to southern Nevada

– The Integrated Test Centre at Basin Electric’s Dry Fork Station coal-fired power plant north of Gillette,  Wyoming, will provide a lab for carbon-capture research and value-added coal opportunities

Wyoming is often referred to as the “energy capital of the US” because it ranks in the top 10 nationally in major energy industries, including coal production and economic reserves (first); uranium production and economic reserves (first); soda ash (trona) production and economic reserves (first); bentonite production and economic reserves (first); helium production (second); natural gas reserves (third); natural gas production (fifth); crude oil production (eighth) and wind energy production (12th). Additionally, the Bear Lodge Critical Rare Earth Project in north west Wyoming is the most advanced rare earth development project in North America. The preliminary feasibility study was completed in 2014.

The University of Wyoming’s $115 million Tier 1 Engineering Initiative, launched in 2012, is designed to lead the state’s only four-year public university to the national forefront in education and research. The initiative includes industry partnerships and provides the added benefit of workforce development. The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences partnered with the School of Energy Resources to enhance education and research in the following areas:

– Improved oil and gas recovery

– Clean coal and gas to liquids

– High-performance computational science and engineering

– Oil and gas flow in unconventional reservoirs

The aesthetic scenery, recreational opportunities, safe communities and excellent business benefits make Wyoming, we feel, the best place in the US to live and do business.