FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tony Gagliardi, Wyoming State Director, Tony.Gagliardi@nfib.org
or Tony Malandra, Senior Media Manager, Anthony.Malandra@nfib.org

CHEYENNE, Wyo., Jan. 13, 2021—This week is not even complete, but two newsworthy events happening the same day compelled comment today from the Wyoming state director for the National Federation of Independent Business.

Yesterday, NFIB released its monthly Small Business Economic Trends report (also known as the Optimism Index) showing nine of the 10 Index components declining, one of which, owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months, dropping 24 points.

Also, yesterday, Gov. Mark Gordon delivered an abbreviated State-of-the-State address highlighting, among other things, the tremendous help the $1.25 billion of CARES Act money received by Wyoming has been to the state’s small businesses, schools, care centers and services aiding those most affected by the pandemic.

“A total of $500 million dollars was received by Wyoming small businesses,” said Tony Gagliardi, Wyoming state director for NFIB, “which has been a lifeline for many enterprises. I was equally impressed with the strong message Governor Gordon sent to Washington, D.C., and the new administration. Pointing out that government regulations are putting pressure on Wyoming’s mining and extraction industries, the governor shared his hopes for the next administration’s ability to recognize the importance of energy independence to our country. He also recognized the efforts the past General Assembly of the Wyoming Legislature made that led the way for modernization of the coal industry, rightly pointing out that the industry does not stand in opposition to renewable energy but complements it.”

As for the latest SBET, Gagliardi said, “We were not expecting good news, but the depth of the bad news did turn heads. A 24-point drop in small-owners expecting better business conditions affects their decisions on things such as how much inventory to buy and how many employees they should either let go or hire. One thing is for certain, federal and state policies have never had to be more small-business friendly. I keep my eye on what other states are doing and am pleased that Wyoming has a small-business-friendly governor, which many states don’t, and it shows.”

Keep up with the latest Wyoming small-business news at www.nfib.com/WY.

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For more than 77 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven association. Since its founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.

NFIB Wyoming
P.O. Box 1890
Cheyenne, WY 82009
866-639-1846
NFIB.com/WY
Twitter: @NFIB_WY